Psychedelics can cause profound changes in cognition, emotion, and perception, but the intensity of these effects varies widely. A cross-sectional online survey of 862 psychedelics users (701 had used LSD and 553 had used psilocybin mushrooms) examined how internal and external contextual factors relate to the intensity of ego dissolution. Those who used psychedelics for spiritual or self-healing purposes reported more intense ego dissolution, while those motivated by curiosity reported less intense experiences. The social context and physical environment were not strongly linked to the reported intensity. This suggests that internal mindset, rather than external setting, may be more influential in naturalistic use.
People who use psychedelics for spiritual or self-healing reasons report more intense ego-dissolution experiences, while those motivated by curiosity report less intense effects. The physical and social setting, however, did not show a strong link to ego-dissolution intensity in naturalistic users, suggesting the influence of context may be more complex. These findings come from an online survey of 862 psychedelic users, mostly using LSD or psilocybin mushrooms, and may help refine harm reduction and therapeutic approaches.
People who take psychedelics for spiritual or self-healing reasons report more intense ego dissolution—a feeling of losing one's sense of self—while those motivated by curiosity report less intense experiences. The social setting and physical environment, however, show no strong link to the intensity of ego dissolution. These findings come from an online survey of 862 psychedelic users, most of whom had used LSD or psilocybin mushrooms.