Exploration of attitudes towards the mystical experience in the context of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy amongst psychiatry trainees based in the West of Scotland
Cassie Maguire
Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology October 31, 2024 DOI: 10.53074/cstp.2024.70 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 5 |
| Population | Core psychiatry trainees based in the West of Scotland |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy Mystical experience |
| Keywords | Psychiatry training Mental health treatment Mystical experiences Medical innovation |
| Key findings | Psychiatry trainees were open to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and the therapeutic value of mystical experiences, but their perspectives reflected a biomedical focus and a recognized need for training. |
Abstract
Modern clinical trials suggest early evidence for the safety and efficacy of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy (PAP) in domains including addictions, dysphoria related to life-threatening illnesses and depression. Research suggests that the mystical experience (ME) under psychedelics appears to play a key role in positive outcomes. With a growing evidence base, it is possible that PAP may be available in the National Health Service in the near future. As such, the current case study explored the following research question: What are the attitudes towards the potential therapeutic benefits and potential risks of the mystical experience in the context of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy amongst psychiatry trainees based in the West of Scotland? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five core psychiatry trainees. Through thematic analysis of interview material four main themes emerged: General Knowledge About the Mystical Experience; Openness to Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy; Implications for Psychiatry; and Concerns. The collective case summary suggests that the group were open to the introduction of PAP in psychiatry and to the potential therapeutic value of the ME, however a biomedical focus in keeping with the prevailing medical model was apparent. Trainees also recognised the need for training in its delivery. The findings were explored in relation to relevant literature regarding PAP and transpersonal aspects of the ME which may occur as a result. As PAP gains credibility a holistic approach integrating the understandings of modern psychiatry with transpersonal aspects may be of value.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic Therapy (Utilizing LSD) with Cancer Patients Cancer patients | 1970 | Clinical description and case report | |
| Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in adolescents with multiple psychiatric diagnoses. Adolescents aged 14–19 with comorbid psychiatric diagnoses including... | 2023 | Case series | n = 4 |
| Prolonged adverse effects from repeated psilocybin use in an underground psychedelic therapy training program: a case report | 2025 | Case study | |
| Suicide of a patient shortly after psilocybin-assisted psychedelic therapy: A case report 60-year-old man with recurrent depression and history of delusions | 2025 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Cannabis-assisted psychotherapy for complex dissociative posttraumatic stress disorder: A case report 28-year-old female with complex dissociative posttraumatic stress disorder | 2023 | Case study | n = 1 |