Mystical Experiences as Catalysts in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Case Study
Miguel Joaquim Soares Teles Couceiro, Victor José da Conceição Teixeira Amorim Rodrigues, Nuno Manuel Correia Torres
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs July 3, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2696253 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | Patient with generalized anxiety disorder and migraines |
| Intervention | Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy |
| Dose | 0.5-0.9 mg/kg |
| Duration | Four sessions |
| Topics | Anxiety Mysticism Esketamine Ketamine Mystical experience Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Therapeutic relationship Outcome game theory Scale ratio Psychotherapist Clinical psychology Psychoanalysis |
| Key findings | Mystical-type experiences during ketamine-assisted psychotherapy appeared to play a meaningful role in therapeutic change for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder and migraines. |
Abstract
This case study explores the potential role of mystical-type experiences in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP). A patient with generalized anxiety disorder and migraines underwent four intramuscular KAP sessions (0.5-0.9 mg/kg). Outcomes were assessed using the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45), the Hood Mysticism Scale (HMS), and interviews. Greater therapeutic gains followed sessions with higher HMS scores. The patient attributed improvements to the psychological and spiritual impact of the experiences, emphasizing the therapeutic relationship and integration process. In this case, these experiences appeared to play a meaningful role in therapeutic change, contributing to the discussion on the role of subjective effects in KAP.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for 3 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
-
In one patient undergoing four ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sessions, greater therapeutic gains followed sessions with higher mystical-experience scores, and the patient attributed improvement to the psychological and spiritual impact and the therapeutic relationship.
Synthesized
-
Mystical-type experiences during ketamine-assisted psychotherapy appeared to play a meaningful role in therapeutic change for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder and migraines.
Synthesized
-
Greater therapeutic gains followed ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sessions with higher Hood Mysticism Scale scores, and the patient attributed improvements to the psychological and spiritual impact of the experiences.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.