The peak experience variable in DPT-assisted psychotherapy with cancer patients
This study (1977; n = 34) found that peak experiences may be an important factor in determining the efficacy of DPT-assisted psychotherapy for cancer patients.
Authors
- William Richards
Published
Abstract
From the conclusion of the paper:In conclusion, it may be observed that peak experiences may constitute an intrinsic element of effective psycho therapy for some persons. The explicit causative role of such unique experiences in contributing to psychotherapy in general still constitutes an intriguing research question; the correlation of such experiences with rapid therapeutic progress in the course of short-term psychotherapy with cancer patients, however, is indicated by this study. Clinical impressions would suggest that, when a peak experience does occur, its continuing relevance for daily living may be strongly dependent on the degree to which the associated insights are assimilated or transferred into the everyday self-concept and world view of the patient.
Research Summary of 'The peak experience variable in DPT-assisted psychotherapy with cancer patients'
Introduction
Peak experiences—profound, memorable alterations of consciousness often described as involving unity, transcendence of time and space, and intense positive affect—have long intrigued philosophers and clinicians but their role in psychotherapy remains poorly characterised. Earlier research was largely theoretical or anecdotal; the discovery of LSD and related psychedelics provided tools that, when combined with attention to non‑pharmacological variables (set and setting), permit relatively reliable evocation of altered states in research contexts. The authors frame the peak experience in the specific, Maslow/Pahnke‑influenced sense of a unitive, ego‑transcendent state and note that its actual contribution to therapeutic change is not well established. This study therefore set out to examine two related questions: whether the occurrence of a peak experience during DPT‑assisted psychotherapy (referred to as DPT or OPT in the extracted text) is associated with greater short‑term therapeutic benefit for cancer patients, and which baseline or procedural factors predict the likelihood of experiencing a peak state. Chards and colleagues aimed to operationalise peak experience using established instruments and to compare clinical and observer‑rated outcomes between patients who did and did not report such experiences during a single DPT session embedded in a short‑term therapy programme.
Expert Research Summaries
Go Pro to access AI-powered section-by-section summaries, editorial takes, and the full research toolkit.
Full Text PDF
Full Paper PDF
Create a free account to open full-text PDFs.
Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Topic
- Author
- APA Citation
Richards, W. A., Rhead, J. C., Dileo, F. B., Yensen, R., & Kurland, A. A. (1977). The peak experience variable in DPT-assisted psychotherapy with cancer patients. Journal of Psychedelic Drugs, 9(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.1977.10472020
Cited By (44)
Papers in Blossom that reference this study
Kirlić, N., Atli, M., Mistry, S. et al. · Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology (2025)
Tylš, F., Páleníček, T., Klučková, T. et al. · Pharmacological Reports (2025)
Reckweg, J. T., Mason, N. L., Theunissen, E. L. et al. · Frontiers in Psychology (2025)
Bouchet, L., Sager, Z., Yrondi, A. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2024)
Thal, S. B., Wieberneit, M., Sharbanee, J. M. et al. · Journal of Humanistic Psychology (2023)
Gandy, S. · Journal of Psychedelic Studies (2022)
Garcia-Romeu, A., Darcy, S., Jackson, H. et al. · Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences (2021)
Reynolds, L. M, Stack, A., Akroyd, A., Sundram, F. et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2021)
Timmermann, C., Kettner, H., Letheby, C. et al. · Scientific Reports (2021)
Beaussant, Y., Tulsky, J., Guérin, B. et al. · Journal of Palliative Medicine (2021)
Show all 44 papersShow fewer
Aday, J. S., Davis, A. K., Mitzkovitz, C. M. et al. · ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science (2021)
Gandy, S., Forstmann, M., Carhart-Harris, R. L. et al. · Health Psychology Open (2020)
Breeksema, J. J., Niemeijer, A. R., Krediet, E. et al. · CNS Drugs (2020)
Jacobs, E. · Journal of Psychedelic Studies (2020)
Roseman, L., Haijen, E. C. H. M., Idialu-Ikato, K. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2019)
Richards, W. A., Garcia-Romeu, A. · International Review of Psychiatry (2018)
Haijen, E. C. H. M., Kaelen, M., Roseman, L. et al. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2018)
Barrett, F. S., Preller, K. H., Kaelen, M. · International Review of Psychiatry (2018)
Milliere, R., Carhart-Harris, R. L., Roseman, L. et al. · Frontiers in Psychology (2018)
Ross, S. · International Review of Psychiatry (2018)
Nicholas, C. R., Henriquez, K. M., Gassman, M. C. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2018)
Camlin, T. J., Eulert, D., Horvath, A. T. et al. · Journal of Psychedelic Studies (2018)
Kraehenmann, R., Nielson, E. M., May, D. G. et al. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2018)
Reiche, S., Hermle, L., Gutwinski, S. et al. · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry (2018)
Roseman, L., Nutt, D. J., Carhart-Harris, R. L. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2018)
Schenberg, E. E., de Castro Comis, M. A., Alexandre, J. F. M. et al. · Journal of Psychedelic Studies (2017)
Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R. · Neurotherapeutics (2017)
Preller, K. H., Vollenweider, F. X. · Behavioral Neurobiology of Psychedelic Drugs (2016)
Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2016)
Barrett, F. S., Bradstreet, M. P., Leoutsakos, J. M. S. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2016)
Nichols, C. D., Nichols, D. E., Johnson, M. W. · Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (2016)
Bouso, J. C., Pedrero-Pérez, E. J., Gandy, S. · Human Psychopharmacology (2016)
McKenna, D., Riba, J. · Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences (2016)
Kometer, M., Vollenweider, F. X. · Behavioral Neurobiology of Psychedelic Drugs (2016)
Garcia-Romeu, A., Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W. · Current Drug Abuse Reviews (2015)
Majic, T., Schmidt, T. T., Gallinat, J. · Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology (2015)
Bogenschutz, M. P., Forcehimes, A. A., Pommy, J. A. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2015)
Kirchner, K. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2014)
MacLean, K. A., Leoutsakos, J. S., Johnson, M. W. et al. · Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (2012)
Maclean, K. A., Johnson, M. W., Reissig, C. J. et al. · Psychopharmacology (2012)
Maclean, K. A., Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2011)
Griffiths, R. R. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2008)
Sewell, R. A. · Preprints (2008)
Griffiths, R. R., Richards, W. A., Mccann, U. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2006)
Your Personal Research Library
Go Pro to save papers, add notes, rate studies, and organize your research into custom shelves.