Psychedelics are associated with changes in spiritual beliefs and orientations in US veterans
Randi Brown, Kenneth Shinozuka, Irakli Kaloiani, Lena Kozyr, Dylan Orion, Afik Faerman, Maheen M. Adamson
Research Square February 27, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8960226/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Survey Qualitative |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 151 |
| Population | US veterans who received funding to attend a psychedelic-based treatment |
| Intervention | psychedelic-based treatment |
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Keywords | Spirituality Religious experience Perception Parapsychology Qualitative research Power physics Paranormal Clinical psychology Thematic analysis Belief system Reincarnation Belief in god |
| Key findings | After a memorable psychedelic experience, the proportion of participants endorsing belief in God or a higher power significantly increased, while the proportion denying such belief significantly decreased. |
Abstract
Abstract The acute effects of psychedelic medicines include shifts in perception and awareness that can often include mystical or spiritual elements. Research suggests that these experiences can also extend into more persisting changes in spirituality, yet this area is underexplored. This study examined the effects of psychedelic experiences on spiritual beliefs using a survey of N = 151 people who had received funding to attend a psychedelic-based treatment. Participants were primarily United States (US) veterans who retrospectively completed an online survey assessing the impact of their most memorable psychedelic experience on thoughts, emotions, and behavior. When comparing beliefs reported after one’s most memorable psychedelic experience with those reported before, the proportion of participants who endorsed an active belief in God or a higher power was significantly higher, and the proportion who denied a belief in God or a higher power was significantly lower. We did not observe significant changes in affiliation with spiritual or religious groups after the psychedelic experience, but qualitative analysis suggested that the nature of the participants’ relationship with spirituality exhibited some shifts. These findings suggest that psychedelic experiences can act as a catalyst for increased spiritual connection and reorientation, particularly among individuals who previously identified as doubting or nonbelieving.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on mysticism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Of Roots and Fruits: A Comparison of Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic Mystical Experiences Self-selected participants who reported a religious, spiritual, or mystical experience | 2016 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 739 |
| Values and Beliefs of Psychedelic Drug Users: A Cross-Cultural Study Users of psychedelic drugs, users of nonpsychedelic illegal drugs, and... | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 183 |
| Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... | 2012 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 337 |
| Comparison of psychedelic and near-death or other non-ordinary experiences in changing attitudes about death and dying Individuals who reported an experience that altered their beliefs about death,... | 2022 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 3,192 |
| Mystical experiences associated with seizures Patients with epilepsy | 2014 | Cross-sectional study | n = 98 |
Citations in the library
Cites 37
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness Journal of Psychopharmacology September 28, 2011
- Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later Journal of Psychopharmacology May 30, 2008
- Validation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire in experimental sessions with psilocybin Journal of Psychopharmacology October 6, 2015
and 32 more in the library