Griffiths et al.'s Study of Psilocybin with Religious Professionals: A Theological Response from a Christian Perspective.
Joseph Lorenz, Scott Hawkins, Bryan Mccarthy
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) December 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/28314425251406251 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Christianity Perennialism Psychedelics Religion |
| Key points | Argues that the study design's implicit perennialism burdens it with unnecessary metaphysical assumptions, and that psychedelic use for mysticism risks hyper-individualism and idolatry, which religious communities can counter. |
Abstract
Griffiths et al.'s recent "Effects of Psilocybin on Religious and Spiritual Attitudes and Behaviors in Clergy from Various Major World Religions" is an important study in the literature on psychedelic medicine and religious experience. In this commentary on the study, we argue: (1) The study design's implicit presupposition of perennialism in its conception of mysticism burdens it with metaphysical and theological freight it doesn't need to support its hypothesis; and (2) Psychedelic usage in pursuit of mysticism, however construed, risks two pathologies-hyper-individualism and idolatry-that religious traditions and communities are well-positioned to counter.