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Linkages between Psychedelics and Meditation in a Population-Based Sample in the United States.

Otto Simonsson, Simon B. Goldberg

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2023 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2021.2022816 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Cross-sectional survey Randomized Peer reviewed
Sample size 953
Population American adults
Topics Ego dissolution LSD Meditation Psilocybin
Keywords Psychedelics
Citations 37
Key findings Lifetime classic psychedelic use and ego dissolution during the most intense psychedelic experience were positively associated with meditation exposure, more frequent meditation practice, and fewer perceived barriers to meditation, without increasing meditation-related adverse effects.

Abstract

There are neurophysiological and phenomenological overlaps between psychedelic and meditative states, but there is little evidence on how exposure to psychedelics might be associated with meditation-related variables. We assessed lifetime classic psychedelic use, ego dissolution during one's most intense experience using a classic psychedelic, and exposure to meditation in a representative sample (n = 953) of American adults. Those who reported experience with meditation were invited to complete a follow-up survey (n = 536, 92.1% response rate) measuring meditation-related variables. Models controlled for a range of potential confounds. Exposure to meditation was associated with lifetime classic psychedelic use and ego dissolution in covariate-adjusted models. In addition, among meditators, greater ego dissolution was associated with more frequent meditation practice. Both lifetime classic psychedelic use and ego dissolution were associated with enlightenment as motivation to practice meditation as well as lower likelihood of overall perceived barriers to meditation practice. Ego dissolution was positively associated with finding meditation more effective. Neither lifetime classic psychedelic use nor ego dissolution was associated with greater likelihood of meditation-related adverse effects. Taken together, results support potential synergy between psychedelics and meditation, but randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish safety and evaluate potential causal relationships.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

  • State of the evidence: Psilocybin and meditation Supports

    Lifetime classic psychedelic use and ego dissolution were associated with meditation exposure, more frequent practice, and fewer perceived barriers, without more meditation-related adverse effects.

    Synthesized

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups 2008 Cross-sectional study
Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Adult participants 2007 Observational cross-sectional n = 27
Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). School-aged children and adolescents 2011 Cross-sectional validation study n = 1,413
Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators Experienced meditators and demographically matched nonmeditators 2012 Cross-sectional study n = 152
Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress Undergraduates 2008 Cross-sectional, correlational

Citations in the library

Cited by 32

and 27 more in the library

Cites 19

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Related reading

Explore topics

Ego dissolution LSD Meditation Psilocybin Mystical experience Philosophy of mind

By condition and practice

Psilocybin and meditation