Unveiling Psychedelics: One of the Most Meaningful Events in Life Associated with Improved Well-Being in Swedish Users
Petri Kajonius, David Sjöström, Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 2, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2024.2444892 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Swedish psychedelic users |
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Keywords | Meaning existential Sample material Clinical psychology Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | 58% of Swedish psychedelic users ranked their experience among the top 5 most meaningful events in their lives, and 85% among the top 10. |
Abstract
In the midst of growing research and societal discourse on psychedelic substances, a consistent finding is reported: A majority of users report profound personal meaning from their experiences. This pioneering study in Sweden, a nation renowned for its strict drug policies, sought to quantify the extent of reported meaningfulness among Swedish psychedelic users. Results revealed that a majority of the sample, 58%, ranked their psychedelic experience among the top 5 most meaningful events in their lives, while 85% among the top 10. These findings align well with previous research from other types of studies and other countries. Participants acknowledged challenging and mystical aspects as part of their psychedelic experiences, and a large majority, 94%, reported positive life improvements. Factors such as a personal growth motive and supportive social networks were associated with improved well-being. Despite many study limitations, including the self-selected sample, self-reported measures, and cross-sectional design, the findings underscore the impact psychedelic experiences potentially can have on individuals' lives.
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
Cited by 4
- Sanitizing psychedelics: the biopolitics of non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogens Biosocieties January 8, 2026
- Selection Bias in Psychedelic Research: Comparing Self-Reported Quality-Of-Life Impact Between Enthusiasts and a General Population Sample Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 18, 2026
- Confronting mortality: A meta-analysis and systematic review of psychedelic experiences and death anxiety Journal of Psychopharmacology March 9, 2026
- The Promise and the Paradox: Exploring Eating Disorder Discourse in Psychedelic Reddit Communities Research Square December 12, 2025
Cites 24
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects. Psychopharmacology December 1, 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
- Survey study of challenging experiences after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms: Acute and enduring positive and negative consequences Journal of Psychopharmacology August 31, 2016
- Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science 2020
and 19 more in the library