Psychedelics and psychological strengths
Across three online surveys (N = 3,157), classical psychedelic users reported greater psychological strengths and well‑being and lower distress than non‑users or alcohol/cannabis users, effects that persisted after controlling for demographics, expectancy, other drug use and meditation and were fully mediated by self‑transcendence and strongest in those citing a ‘growth’ motivation. Causality cannot be inferred, but the results extend prior evidence that psychedelic use is associated with broadly adaptive psychological profiles.
Authors
- Brasher, T.
- Rosen, D.
- Spinella, M.
Published
Abstract
Classical psychedelics appear efficacious in improving psychological well-being in randomized clinical trials, but their effects in the population at large are relatively unknown. In the present paper, which includes three studies conducted by online survey with a collective 3,157 participants, classical psychedelic users showed greater psychological strengths and well-being, and lower levels of distress, after controlling for demographic variables, respondents’ beliefs about the potential benefits of psychedelics, and their use of other psychoactive drugs. These benefits contrast with patterns for cannabis and alcohol users, both of whom showed comparatively maladaptive profiles. Reported relationships between psychedelic use and the combined index of psychological strengths was fully mediated by self-transcendence. We show an effect of motivation for psychedelic use, where those who reported a ‘growth’ motivation showed the most robustly adaptive psychological profile. Psychedelic users reported more lifetime meditation experience, and within psychedelic users, greater frequency of use correlated with greater hours of lifetime seated meditation practice. Meditation experience did not account for the differences in strengths, well-being, and distress. In these studies, psychedelic users showed an adaptive psychological pattern on a wider array of strengths than previously studied, which were not attributable to several salient covariates. While causality cannot be inferred from this study, findings align with and advance past research which provides evidence for the potential benefits associated with psychedelics.
Research Summary of 'Psychedelics and psychological strengths'
Introduction
Brasher and colleagues situate their work within a renewed scientific and clinical interest in classical psychedelics (psilocybin, DMT/ayahuasca, LSD, mescaline and related compounds) and a growing literature showing these drugs can produce persistent changes in personality and wellbeing. Previous clinical and naturalistic studies have reported increases in positive affect, meaning in life, openness, mindfulness, self-compassion and prosociality, and reductions in depression, anxiety and substance misuse; peak or 'self‑transcendent' experiences (often termed mystical experience or ego dissolution) have been repeatedly implicated as a mediator of longer‑term benefit. At the same time, reports in non-clinical settings are more heterogeneous, and many large surveys of users have recruited from psychedelic‑focused online communities, which may introduce sampling bias. The present paper reports three iterative online survey studies (combined N = 3,157) designed to (a) examine a broader battery of psychological strengths and maladaptive traits than is typical in the literature, (b) compare lifetime psychedelic users with non‑users while controlling for demographic factors, meditation experience and non‑psychedelic drug use, and (c) test mediation by trait self‑transcendence and the role of motivation for use (growth versus fun/recreation). The investigators hypothesised psychedelic users would show more adaptive traits and fewer maladaptive traits than non‑users, that self‑transcendence would mediate these relationships, and that growth‑motivated users would show the most robust adaptive profile.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
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- APA Citation
Brasher, T., Rosen, D., & Spinella, M. (2023). Psychedelics and psychological strengths. International Journal of Wellbeing, 13(1), 1-35. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v13i1.2325
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