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Petri Kajonius

12 papers in the library · 58 citations · publishing 2022-2026

Papers

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Study Protocol for "Exploring the safety and therapeutic potential of psilocybin in the treatment of anorexia nervosa in adolescents and young adults".

PLoS One June 30, 2026 David Sjöström, Olea Schau Rybäck, Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson et al.

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder with high morbidity, mortality, and relapse rates, most commonly emerging during adolescence. Despite specialized psychological and nutritional treatments, outcomes remain suboptimal, with high rates of relapse and chronicity. Psilocybin has been investigated with preliminary efficacy in other psychiatric conditions...

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0352246 (opens in new tab) Psilocybin Humans Hallucinogens Treatment outcome +4

Selection Bias in Psychedelic Research: Comparing Self-Reported Quality-Of-Life Impact Between Enthusiasts and a General Population Sample

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 18, 2026 Jonathan Bendz, Linus Schäfer, David Sjöström et al.

Psychedelic experiences have been associated with improved quality of life, but many studies rely on samples of enthusiasts, raising concerns about selection bias. This study examined whether self-reported quality-of-life impact differed between a convenience sample of psychedelic enthusiasts and a general population sample recruited through Prolific, and whether sample differences persisted...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2644856 (opens in new tab) Sample material Selection bias Population Extraversion and introversion +8

Confronting mortality: A meta-analysis and systematic review of psychedelic experiences and death anxiety

Journal of Psychopharmacology March 9, 2026 Alicia Cohorst, Petri Kajonius

This meta-analysis and systematic review examined the effects of psychedelic substances on death anxiety, specifically evaluating whether psychedelic experiences are associated with statistically significant reductions in death anxiety. A systematic search identified 8 studies suitable for meta-analysis and 10 additional studies for systematic review. Using a random-effects model, the...

DOI: 10.1177/02698811261424199 (opens in new tab) Death anxiety Moderation Psychological intervention Systematic review +5

Adverse outcomes following psychedelic use in adolescents and adults: associations with age and personality traits.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health February 24, 2026 David Sjöström, Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson, Petri Kajonius

BACKGROUND: Adolescents are increasingly using classical psychedelics, yet little is known about how psychedelics use is related to their mental health. Emerging evidence suggests that adolescents may be more vulnerable to adverse outcomes in relation to psychedelic use compared to adults. This descriptive and exploratory study examined differences between adolescents and adults in reported...

DOI: 10.1186/s13034-026-01048-x (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Adolescents Adverse outcomes Personality traits Psychedelics

Big Five personality and the psychedelic experience: An initial report

Journal of Psychedelic Studies November 24, 2025 Petri Kajonius, David Sjöström, Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson 3 citations

Abstract A surge in societal and scientific discussion surrounds psychedelic research. One surprising fact keeps standing out: Many users report the psychedelic experience as a positive and lasting impact on their quality of life. The present study aimed to explore the quality and consequences of the most impacting psychedelic experience, with the user's Big Five personality in focus. This...

Adolescent Psychedelic Use and Mental Health Is Associated with User Personality: A Representative National Study on Drug Use

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction April 29, 2025 David Sjöström, Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson, Isabella Gripe et al.

It is still unknown how current trends in psychedelic use among adolescents are related to mental health. This study reports on the prevalence of psychedelic use in a Swedish representative nationwide drug survey and its association with mental health outcomes and user personality. A cross-sectional study using data from the latest 2024 Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs...

Unveiling Psychedelics: One of the Most Meaningful Events in Life Associated with Improved Well-Being in Swedish Users

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 2, 2025 Petri Kajonius, David Sjöström, Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson 5 citations

In the midst of growing research and societal discourse on psychedelic substances, a consistent finding is reported: A majority of users report profound personal meaning from their experiences. This pioneering study in Sweden, a nation renowned for its strict drug policies, sought to quantify the extent of reported meaningfulness among Swedish psychedelic users. Results revealed that a majority...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2024.2444892 (opens in new tab) Mysticism Meaning existential Sample material Clinical psychology +1

Masking Influences: A Systematic Review of Placebo Control and Masking in Psychedelic Studies

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs November 6, 2024 Aleksandra Barstowe, Petri Kajonius 8 citations

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is becoming increasingly acknowledged as an effective therapeutic intervention for various psychiatric illnesses. However, the evaluation of masking success is rarely reported in trials. The objective of the present systematic review was to evaluate placebo-control and masking in studies exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy. Nine (k = 9) studies dating between...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2024.2424272 (opens in new tab) Masking influences Placebo control Psychedelics Systematic review +5

Personality traits explain the relationship between psychedelic use and less depression in a comparative study.

Scientific Reports May 3, 2024 David Sjöström, Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson, Petri Kajonius 16 citations

Interest in psychedelics is increasing due to the potential for improved mental health and quality of life. However, adverse effects on mental health are still a concern. Personality traits have been suggested to both influence the psychedelic experience and mental health, and even be changed by psychedelic use. The present study describes for the first time a national sample of Swedish...

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60890-1 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Drug use Mental health Personality traits Psychedelics

Reproducing the Psychedelic Experience: “One of the 5 Most Meaningful Experiences in Life”?

December 31, 2023 Petri Kajonius, David Sjöström 1 citation preprint

In the midst of burgeoning research and societal debate regarding the impact of psychedelics on well-being, one key statistic stands out: Most users rate the psychedelic experience as one of the most meaningful in life. The present study aimed to investigate this using a questionnaire for the first time among Swedish psychedelic users. Results: The results showed that 58% regarded the...

DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/m6pqj (opens in new tab) Openness to experience Statistic Personality

Personality explains the relationship between psychedelic use and depression; a comparison study with non psychedelic users

Research Square December 13, 2023 David Sjöström, Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson, Petri Kajonius preprint

Abstract Interest in psychedelics is increasing due to potential for improved mental health and quality of life. However, adverse effects on mental health are still a concern. Personality traits have been suggested to both influence the psychedelic experience and mental health, and even be changed by psychedelic use. The present study describes for the first time a national sample of Swedish...

DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3714546/v1 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Neuroticism Openness to experience Mental health Clinical psychology +1

Dissolution of What? The Self Lost in Self-transcendent Experiences

Journal of Consciousness Studies June 1, 2022 Lena Lindström, Petri Kajonius, Etzel Cardeña 25 citations

In this study, we investigate the phenomenology of selftranscendent experiences, in which the usual sense of self is lost. Based on a taxonomy of nine aspects of self and three types of content of consciousness, we compare ten accounts of such experiences acquired through in-depth interviews. Sense of separateness and identification with body and narrative self were reported as lost in all of...