Psychedelics, personality and political perspectives
This retrospective survey study (n=893) investigated the relationship between psychedelics use, ego dissolution, personality traits, political perspectives, and nature relatedness, and found that psychedelic use was associated with liberal and anti-authoritarian political views, openness to new experiences, and nature-relatedness.
Authors
- Robin Carhart-Harris
- John Evans
- Matthew Nour
Published
Abstract
Introduction
The psychedelic experience (including psychedelic-induced ego dissolution) can effect lasting change in a person’s attitudes and beliefs. Here, we aimed to investigate the association between naturalistic psychedelic use and personality, political perspectives, and nature relatedness using an anonymous internet survey.
Methods
Participants (N = 893) provided information about their naturalistic psychedelic, cocaine, and alcohol use, and answered questions relating to personality traits of openness and conscientiousness (Ten-Item Personality Inventory), nature relatedness (Nature-Relatedness Scale), and political attitudes (one-item liberalism-conservatism measure and five-item libertarian-authoritarian measure). Participants also rated the degree of ego dissolution experienced during their “most intense” recalled psychedelic experience (Ego-Dissolution Inventory).
Results
Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that lifetime psychedelic use (but not lifetime cocaine use or weekly alcohol consumption) positively predicted liberal political views, openness and nature relatedness, and negatively predicted authoritarian political views, after accounting for potential confounding variables. Ego dissolution experienced during a participant’s “most intense” psychedelic experience positively predicted liberal political views, openness and nature relatedness, and negatively predicted authoritarian political views.
Discussion
Further work is needed to investigate the nature of the relationship between the peak psychedelic experience and openness to new experiences, egalitarian political views, and concern for the environment.
Research Summary of 'Psychedelics, personality and political perspectives'
Introduction
Transpersonal or mystical experiences, including psychedelic-induced "ego dissolution," are framed as powerful catalysts for lasting psychological change. Nour and colleagues note renewed scientific interest in classical serotonergic psychedelics (psilocybin, LSD, DMT/ayahuasca) and in self-transcendent emotions such as awe. Prior population and experimental studies have reported associations between naturalistic psychedelic use and reduced psychological distress and suicidality, higher scores on optimism and spiritual beliefs within some communities, increased concern for others and for the environment, and experimentally induced increases in the personality trait of openness following single-dose controlled sessions. This study aimed to examine associations between lifetime naturalistic psychedelic use and political perspectives, nature relatedness, and two personality traits (openness and conscientiousness) in a large anonymous online sample. The investigators also collected data on lifetime cocaine use and weekly alcohol consumption in order to test specificity, and assessed whether retrospective ratings of ego dissolution during participants' most intense psychedelic experience predicted the same outcomes.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Topics
- Authors
- APA Citation
Nour, M. M., Evans, L., & Carhart-Harris, R. L. (2017). Psychedelics, personality and political perspectives. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 49(3), 182-191. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2017.1312643
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