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Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance

Roland R. Griffiths, William A. Richards, U. Mccann, Robert L. Jesse

Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-006-0457-5 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Double-blind study Peer reviewed
Sample size 36
Population Hallucinogen-naïve adults reporting regular participation in religious or spiritual activities
Interventions Psilocybin Methylphenidate hydrochloride
Dose 30 mg/70 kg psilocybin, 40 mg/70 kg methylphenidate hydrochloride
Duration 8-hour sessions, 2-month follow-up
Topics Anxiety Psilocybin Mystical experience
Keywords Hallucinogen Clinical psychology Perception
Citations 1,684
Key points When administered under supportive conditions, psilocybin occasioned experiences similar to spontaneously occurring mystical experiences.

Abstract

RationaleAlthough psilocybin has been used for centuries for religious purposes, little is known scientifically about its acute and persisting effects.ObjectivesThis double-blind study evaluated the acute and longer-term psychological effects of a high dose of psilocybin relative to a comparison compound administered under comfortable, supportive conditions.Materials and methodsThe participants were hallucinogen-naïve adults reporting regular participation in religious or spiritual activities. Two or three sessions were conducted at 2-month intervals. Thirty volunteers received orally administered psilocybin (30 mg/70 kg) and methylphenidate hydrochloride (40 mg/70 kg) in counterbalanced order. To obscure the study design, six additional volunteers received methylphenidate in the first two sessions and unblinded psilocybin in a third session. The 8-h sessions were conducted individually. Volunteers were encouraged to close their eyes and direct their attention inward. Study monitors rated volunteers' behavior during sessions. Volunteers completed questionnaires assessing drug effects and mystical experience immediately after and 2 months after sessions. Community observers rated changes in the volunteer's attitudes and behavior.ResultsPsilocybin produced a range of acute perceptual changes, subjective experiences, and labile moods including anxiety. Psilocybin also increased measures of mystical experience. At 2 months, the volunteers rated the psilocybin experience as having substantial personal meaning and spiritual significance and attributed to the experience sustained positive changes in attitudes and behavior consistent with changes rated by community observers.ConclusionsWhen administered under supportive conditions, psilocybin occasioned experiences similar to spontaneously occurring mystical experiences. The ability to occasion such experiences prospectively will allow rigorous scientific investigations of their causes and consequences.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for 4 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

  • State of the evidence: Psilocybin for anxiety Mixed

    Psilocybin produced acute perceptual changes and labile moods including anxiety, alongside increased mystical-type experience ratings.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: Anxiety Mixed

    Psilocybin produced acute perceptual changes and labile moods including anxiety, alongside increased mystical experience measures.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: Mystical experience Supports

    High-dose psilocybin increased measures of mystical experience and was rated at 2 months as having substantial personal and spiritual significance.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: Psilocybin Supports

    Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences rated as having substantial personal meaning and spiritual significance at 2 months.

    Synthesized

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin for anxiety, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Cancer patients with life-threatening diagnoses and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety 2016 Randomized controlled trial n = 51
Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression 2016 Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial n = 29
Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Adults with advanced-stage cancer and anxiety 2010 Double-blind, placebo-controlled study n = 12
Acute, subacute and long-term subjective effects of psilocybin in healthy humans: a pooled analysis of experimental studies Healthy human subjects 2010 Pooled analysis of double-blind placebo-controlled experimental studies n = 110
Efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted treatment for major depressive disorder: Prospective 12-month follow-up Patients aged 21–75 with moderate to severe unipolar depression 2022 Randomized waiting-list controlled study n = 27

Citations in the library

Cited by 1,193

and 1,188 more in the library

Cites 14

and 9 more in the library

Related reading

Explore topics

Anxiety Psilocybin Mystical experience Mysticism

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Psilocybin for anxiety