Experiences of psychedelic drug use among people with psychotic symptoms and disorders: Personal growth and mystical experiences
Joseph T. la Torre, Jade Gallo, Mehdi Mahammadli, Daniel Zalewa, Monnica T. Williams
Journal of Psychedelic Studies July 31, 2024 DOI: 10.1556/2054.2024.00348 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Retrospective survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | Individuals with a history of psychotic experiences or diagnoses |
| Topics | Mystical experience |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | Most respondents (88%) reported personal growth from their psychedelic experience, but 11% described overall negative experiences including symptom exacerbation. |
Abstract
Individuals with a history of psychotic experiences and disorders such as schizophrenia, and mood disorders with psychotic features tend to be excluded from psychedelic-assisted therapy research and treatment programs, despite minimal research demonstrating heightened risk of adverse effects for this group. Participants (n = 100) were asked to complete an online, retrospective survey that asked about psychotic experiences and/or diagnoses and one memorable psychedelic experience, along with mental health histories, dose used, set and setting, and other relevant variables including whether they mixed their psychedelic with other substances. Respondents also completed pertinent psychometric questionnaires and answered questions regarding the impact of their psychedelic experience on their well-being, mental health, relationships, spiritual beliefs, and aspects of their life. Thematic inductive analysis was used to identify recurring themes. Most respondents (n = 88) stated that their psychedelic experience resulted in some degree of personal growth. Many also described mystical-type experiences, increased levels of contemplation and spirituality, improved insight, symptomatic improvements, and feelings of love and appreciation following the experience. Most described overall positive experiences, however, 11% (n = 11) described overall negative experiences, which included symptom exacerbation, dysphoria, and terror, and a slightly larger portion described mixed-type experiences.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on mystical experience, 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 |
| 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 |
| Peak Experiences: Some Empirical Tests Random sample of adults in the San Francisco Bay Area | 1978 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| Peak Experience Tendencies | 1982 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| Rhythmic Chanting and Mystical States across Traditions. Regular chanters across 33 countries | 2021 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 464 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- The Relationship Between Psychedelic Use and Positive Adult Development in Emerging Adulthood: An Integrative Review. Brain and Behavior November 1, 2025
- Microdosing Psychedelics to Restore Synaptic Density in Schizophrenia. International Journal of Molecular Sciences September 14, 2025
- Psychedelics, rebirth experiences, and the limits of current research Psychedelics July 1, 2026
- Do Psychedelics Mimic Psychosis? Perspectives on Similarities and Differences from Individuals with Lived Experience of Psychosis and Psychedelics International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction March 17, 2026
- Sombras, introspección y rescate interior: un estudio de caso sobre el uso de psilocibina en contexto doméstico JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE AND PUBLIC HEALTH August 6, 2024
and 1 more in the library
Cites 18
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future. Neuropsychopharmacology April 26, 2017
- Psychiatry & the psychedelic drugs. Past, present & future. Neuropharmacology December 25, 2017
- The psychedelic renaissance and the limitations of a White-dominant medical framework: A call for indigenous and ethnic minority inclusion Journal of Psychedelic Studies July 1, 2019
- Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Patient Demographics, Clinical Data and Outcomes in Three Large Practices Administering Ketamine with Psychotherapy Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 15, 2019
and 13 more in the library