Mystical Experiences in Retrospective Reports of First Times Using a Psychedelic in Finland.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 1, 2020 Samuli Kangaslampi, Aino Hausen, Tarina Rauteenmaa
Some people report lasting positive changes in life satisfaction, well-being, or mental health after taking psychedelic drugs, possibly because these substances can trigger mystical-type experiences. A study of 288 people who completed a Finnish translation of the Revised Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ30) about their first psychedelic use found the questionnaire to be reliable and valid. A four-factor structure—mystical qualities, positive mood, transcendence, and ineffability—fit the data best. Higher MEQ30 scores and full mystical experiences were strongly linked to describing the experience as mystical, spiritual, or religious and as personally significant, and were somewhat linked to sadness or difficulty. Mystical experiences were especially tied to positive changes in relationships with nature and oneself and in creativity, and were more common with larger doses.