Reduction of alcohol use and increase in psychological flexibility after a naturalistic psychedelic experience: a retrospective survey.
Ewen Kervadec, Baptiste Fauvel, Lana Strika-Bruneau, Ammar Amirouche, Vincent Verroust, Pascale Piolino, Bruno Romeo, Amine Benyamina
Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire) January 17, 2024 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agad078 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Retrospective online survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 160 |
| Population | Individuals who reported a psychedelic experience and a concomitant drinking habit |
| Intervention | Psychedelic experience |
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Drinking Psychedelic Psychological flexibility |
| Citations | 15 |
| Key findings | A naturalistic psychedelic experience was associated with a significant reduction in drinking days per week and AUDIT scores, with the reduction linked to the intensity of the mystical experience and increases in psychological flexibility. |
Abstract
Alcohol use can be significantly associated with negative social, professional, and health outcomes. Even more so, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a critical public health issue and major avoidable risk factor. This study aimed to examine the effect of a naturalistic psychedelic experience on alcohol use and related measures. A retrospective online survey was conducted on 160 individuals who reported a psychedelic experience and a concomitant drinking habit but did not necessarily have an AUD. Demographic data, characteristics of the psychedelic experience, and changes in alcohol consumption and psychological flexibility were surveyed.
Results: The mean number of drinking days per week and AUDIT scores significantly decreased after the psychedelic experience (P < .001). Subjects who quit or reduced drinking had a more severe AUD (P < .01) and lower psychological flexibility (P = .003) before the psychedelic session. Alcohol use reduction was significantly associated with the intensity of the mystical experience (P = .03). Psychological flexibility increased more in participants who reduced their alcohol use (P < .001), and the change in psychological flexibility was one of the predictors of alcohol use improvement (P = .003).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a naturalistic psychedelic experience could be associated with a reduction in alcohol use and dependency. Such positive health outcomes can be associated with the intensity of the mystical experience as well as an increase in psychological flexibility.