Replication and extension of a model predicting response to psilocybin
This retrospective study (n=183) replicated an earlier model of psilocybin response, which predicts that states of surrender and preoccupation at the time of ingestion are significant variables determining the nature of the experience.
Authors
- Robin Carhart-Harris
Published
Abstract
Background
Recent research demonstrated the potential of psychedelic drugs as treatment for depression and death-related anxiety and as an enhancement for well-being. While generally positive, responses to psychedelic drugs can vary according to traits, setting, and mental state (set) before and during ingestion. Most earlier models explain minimal response variation, primarily related to dosage and trust, but a recent study found that states of surrender and preoccupation at the time of ingestion explained substantial variance in mystical and adverse psilocybin experiences.
Objectives
The current study sought to replicate the previous model, extend the model with additional predictors, and examine the role of mystical experience on positive change.
Method
A hierarchical regression model was created with crowdsourced retrospective data from 183 individuals who had self-administered psilocybin in the past year. Scales explored mental states before, during, and after psilocybin ingestion, relying on open-ended memory prompts at each juncture to trigger recollections. Controlled drug administration was not employed.
Results
This study replicated the previous model, finding a state of surrender before ingestion a key predictor of optimal experience and preoccupation a key predictor of adverse experience. Additional predictors added to the explanatory power for optimal and adverse experience. The model supported the importance of mystical experiences to long-term change.
Conclusion
Mental states of surrender or preoccupation at the time of ingestion explain variance in mystical or adverse psilocybin experiences, and mystical experiences relate to long-term positive change. The capacity to recognize this optimal preparatory mental state may benefit therapeutic use of psilocybin in clinical settings.
Research Summary of 'Replication and extension of a model predicting response to psilocybin'
Introduction
Psychedelic compounds such as psilocybin have shown promise as treatments for conditions including depression, death-related anxiety, substance use and obsessive–compulsive disorder, and as enhancers of well‑being in healthy volunteers. However, even in controlled settings responses vary: some participants report highly positive, meaningful or mystical-type experiences while others have challenging or adverse sessions. Earlier research has identified dose, certain personality traits (for example absorption and openness), and contextual factors of the setting as contributors to outcome, but much variation in individual responses remains unexplained. A prior crowdsourced study found that transient mental states at ingestion—specifically a state of surrender versus a state of preoccupation—explained substantial variance in mystical and adverse psilocybin experiences, beyond trait predictors. Russ and colleagues set out to replicate and extend that prior model in a new, independent sample. The study aimed to (1) conceptually replicate regression models predicting mystical and adverse response using different dependent measures, (2) test additional hypothesised predictors (including motivational, prior-state and setting variables), and (3) examine whether mystical-type experiences relate to longer‑term positive change. Data were retrospective and crowdsourced from people who had self‑administered psilocybin within the previous 12 months rather than being collected under controlled drug administration.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compound
- Topics
- Author
- APA Citation
Russ, S. L., Carhart-Harris, R. L., Maruyama, G., & Elliott, M. S. (2019). Replication and extension of a model predicting response to psilocybin. Psychopharmacology, 236(11), 3221-3230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05279-z
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