Transpersonal Ecodelia: Surveying Psychedelically Induced Biophilia
Surveying 272 people who had used psychedelics, thematic analysis found that psychedelic experiences—particularly transpersonal feelings of interconnectedness—either re‑established or newly produced passionate, protective biophilic bonds and attendant pro‑environmental attitudes and behaviours, with natural settings reported as especially beneficial. The authors conclude psychedelics can foster nature connection even in previously non‑nature‑oriented individuals, but call for more research on effects outside laboratory settings.
Authors
- Rosalind Watts
- David Luke
- Sam Gandy
Published
Abstract
Objective
To explore the perceived influence of psychedelic experiences on participants’ relationship with the natural world.
Method
A total of 272 participants reporting previous use of psychedelics completed free-text response requests via an online survey. Thematic analysis was used to explore group participant responses.
Results
Participants who described a pre-existing relationship with nature reported that psychedelics acted to re-establish and bolster their connection to nature. Those reporting no previously established connection to nature described psychedelics as helping them bond with the natural world. Underlying both of these were reports of transpersonal experiences, of which ‘interconnectedness’ was most frequently linked to shifts in attitudes and behaviours. Participants were also asked to reflect on previous psychedelic experiences that took place in nature and reported a range of benefits of the natural setting.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that psychedelics have the capacity to elicit a connection with nature that is passionate and protective, even among those who were not previously nature oriented. More research is needed to explore the potential implications of psychedelic use outside laboratory-controlled settings in order to enhance these important effects.
Research Summary of 'Transpersonal Ecodelia: Surveying Psychedelically Induced Biophilia'
Introduction
The paper situates itself within debates about ecological identity and the measurable construct of 'relationship with nature', pointing to ecopsychology and deep ecology as frameworks that link spirituality and a non-anthropocentric view of human–nature relations. Earlier quantitative work has shown that scores of nature connectedness can change and that lifetime psychedelic use and psychedelic mystical experiences have been associated with increases in nature relatedness and pro-environmental attitudes. However, those quantitative measures are limited in capturing the subjective, multisensory and often ineffable qualities of psychedelic-occasioned changes in relation to nature. This study set out to explore, using qualitative methods, how people who have used psychedelics describe changes in their relationship with the natural world. By gathering free-text responses from a large sample of people with prior psychedelic experience, the investigators aimed to identify recurring themes and pathways through which psychedelic experiences may foster nature connectedness, and to highlight directions for further ecodelic research. The emphasis was on eliciting rich, participant-centred descriptions rather than on testing specific hypotheses.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Authors
- APA Citation
Irvine, A., Luke, D., Harrild, F., Gandy, S., & Watts, R. (2023). Transpersonal Ecodelia: Surveying Psychedelically Induced Biophilia. Psychoactives, 2(2), 174-193. https://doi.org/10.3390/psychoactives2020012
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Forstmann, M., Kettner, H. S., Sagioglou, C. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2023)
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