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Validation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire in experimental sessions with psilocybin

Frederick S. Barrett, Matthew W Johnson, Roland R. Griffiths

Journal of Psychopharmacology October 6, 2015 DOI: 10.1177/0269881115609019 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Validation study using pooled data from five laboratory experiments Peer reviewed
Sample size 184
Population Participants in controlled laboratory experiments receiving a moderate to high oral dose of psilocybin
Intervention psilocybin
Dose at least 20 mg/70 kg
Topics Mysticism Psilocybin Mystical experience
Keywords Structural equation modeling Hallucinogen Confirmatory factor analysis Clinical psychology
Citations 634
Key findings The MEQ30 is a reliable and valid measure of mystical-type experiences, and its scores positively predict persisting changes in attitudes, behavior, and well-being attributed to psilocybin experiences.

Abstract

The 30-item revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30) was previously developed within an online survey of mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin-containing mushrooms. The rated experiences occurred on average eight years before completion of the questionnaire. The current paper validates the MEQ30 using data from experimental studies with controlled doses of psilocybin. Data were pooled and analyzed from five laboratory experiments in which participants ( n=184) received a moderate to high oral dose of psilocybin (at least 20 mg/70 kg). Results of confirmatory factor analysis demonstrate the reliability and internal validity of the MEQ30. Structural equation models demonstrate the external and convergent validity of the MEQ30 by showing that latent variable scores on the MEQ30 positively predict persisting change in attitudes, behavior, and well-being attributed to experiences with psilocybin while controlling for the contribution of the participant-rated intensity of drug effects. These findings support the use of the MEQ30 as an efficient measure of individual mystical experiences. A method to score a “complete mystical experience” that was used in previous versions of the mystical experience questionnaire is validated in the MEQ30, and a stand-alone version of the MEQ30 is provided for use in future research.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for 2 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

  • State of the evidence: Mystical experience Supports

    The MEQ30 showed reliability and validity, and its latent scores positively predicted persisting changes in attitudes, behavior, and well-being attributed to psilocybin.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: Mysticism Supports

    The 30-item Mystical Experience Questionnaire showed reliability and validity, and its latent scores positively predicted persisting changes in attitudes, behavior, and well-being attributed to psilocybin.

    Synthesized

Comparable studies

Other experimental studies on mystical experience, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Alterations of consciousness and mystical-type experiences after acute LSD in humans Participants in a study on acute LSD effects 2016 Experimental study
Mystical Experience in the Lab 2014 Experimental study
Exploring Emptiness and its Effects on Non-attachment, Mystical Experiences, and Psycho-spiritual Wellbeing: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study of Advanced Meditators. Advanced Buddhist meditators 2019 Within-subjects experimental design with qualitative analysis n = 25
Expectancies for Cannabis-Induced Emotional Breakthrough, Mystical Experiences and Changes in Dysfunctional Attitudes: Perceptions of the Potential for Cannabis-Assisted Psychotherapy for Depression Cannabis users 2022 Survey-based experimental study n = 1,000
Baseline power of theta oscillations predicts mystical-type experiences induced by DMT 2021 Experimental study

Citations in the library

Cited by 538

and 533 more in the library

Cites 12

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Related reading

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Mysticism Psilocybin Mystical experience