People who have used classical psychedelics report greater psychological strengths and well-being, and lower distress, compared to those who have not, even after accounting for demographics, beliefs about psychedelics, and use of other drugs. These benefits contrast with cannabis and alcohol users, who show more maladaptive profiles. The relationship between psychedelic use and psychological strengths is fully explained by self-transcendence. Users with a 'growth' motivation show the most adaptive psychological profile. Psychedelic users also report more lifetime meditation experience, but meditation does not account for the differences in strengths, well-being, or distress. Causality cannot be inferred.
Practicing brief attentional mindfulness meditations—either a body scan or breath-focused meditation—can boost positive emotions such as gratitude, elevation, and pride, and in turn improve well-being and inner peace. Two online experiments showed that a 21-minute session increased these emotions, an effect explained by self-transcendence. A shorter 11-minute session replicated the emotional boost, and two self-transcendent emotions (elevation and gratitude) specifically mediated improvements in well-being and inner peace, while pride did not.
Measuring compassion at a population level requires expanding beyond individualistic views to consider how it manifests in relationships, communities, and societies. This involves agreeing on a flexible definition that spans multiple levels of analysis and operationalizing ways to identify and quantify compassion at each level. Drawing on insights from contemplative studies, psychology, and neuroscience, the paper addresses challenges such as measuring a latent and emergent phenomenon, spanning levels of analysis, and defining compassionate action. Concepts of interdependence and common humanity may help identify key population-level indicators. Theoretical models merging the epidemiological triad with compassion science are proposed to guide future study.