Values and Beliefs of Psychedelic Drug Users: A Cross-Cultural Study
Michael Lerner, Michael Lyvers
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 1, 2006 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2006.10399838 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 183 |
| Population | Users of psychedelic drugs, users of nonpsychedelic illegal drugs, and non-illicit-drug-using social drinkers from Israel and Australia |
| Topics | Mysticism Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Empathy Spirituality Context archaeology Clinical psychology Hallucinogen Alternative medicine |
| Citations | 99 |
| Key findings | Psychedelic users scored significantly higher on mystical beliefs and life values of spirituality and concern for others, and lower on financial prosperity, compared to other groups, regardless of culture. |
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs such as LSD and psilocybin are often claimed to be capable of inducing life-changing experiences described as mystical or transcendental, especially if high doses are taken. The present study examined possible enduring effects of such experiences by comparing users of psychedelic drugs (n = 88), users of nonpsychedelic illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, amphetamines) (n = 29) and non illicit drug-using social drinkers (n = 66) on questionnaire measures of values, beliefs and emotional empathy. Samples were obtained from Israel (n = 110) and Australia (n = 73) in a cross-cultural comparison to see if values associated with psychedelic drug use transcended culture of origin. Psychedelic users scored significantly higher on mystical beliefs (e.g., oneness with God and the universe) and life values of spirituality and concern for others than the other groups, and lower on the value of financial prosperity, irrespective of culture of origin. Users of nonpsychedelic illegal drugs scored significantly lower on a measure of coping ability than both psychedelic users and non illicit drug users. Both groups of illegal drug users scored significantly higher on empathy than non illicit drug users. Results are discussed in the context of earlier findings from Pahnke (1966) and Doblin (1991) of the transformative effect of psychedelic experiences, although the possibility remains that present findings reflect predrug characteristics of those who chose to take psychedelic drugs rather than effects of the drugs themselves.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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State of the evidence: Mysticism Supports
Psychedelic users scored significantly higher on mystical beliefs and on values of spirituality and concern for others, and lower on financial prosperity, regardless of culture of origin.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on mysticism, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 69
- Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness Journal of Psychopharmacology September 28, 2011
- Classic psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States adult population. Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2015
- Effects of psilocybin therapy on personality structure Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica June 19, 2018
- Psychedelics, Personality and Political Perspectives. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs April 26, 2017
- Psychedelics alter metaphysical beliefs. Scientific Reports November 23, 2021
and 64 more in the library