Spiritual Benefit from Cannabis.
Frederick J. Heide, Tai Chang, Natalie Porter, Eric Edelson, Joseph C Walloch
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2022 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2021.1941443 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,087 |
| Population | Adults who completed an online survey about cannabis and other substance use |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Psychedelic Spiritual benefit Spirituality |
| Key findings | Spiritual benefit from cannabis was reported by 66.1% of the sample, and those who reported it differed significantly from those who did not on expansiveness motivation, non-theistic daily spiritual experience, meditation frequency, and mindfulness facets. |
Abstract
Like many mind-altering plants, cannabis has been part of spiritual practices for thousands of years. It has deep roots in Hinduism, Islam, Rastafarianism, and indigenous traditions in Asia, Africa, and elsewhere. Yet almost no attention has been given to how contemporary adults employ it spiritually. A sample of 1087 participants (mean age = 38.9) completed an online survey assessing their use of cannabis and other substances, as well as spiritual and psychological characteristics. Spiritual benefit from cannabis was reported by 66.1% of the sample, and 5.5% reported it had sometimes been a spiritual hindrance. A MANOVA showed that those who reported spiritual benefit differed significantly from those who did not on several outcome variables, and a post hoc descriptive discriminant analysis revealed that expansiveness motivation, non-theistic daily spiritual experience, meditation frequency, and two mindfulness facets contributed most to differentiating the two groups. The majority of the sample (63%) was free of cannabis use disorder. Compared to disordered groups, the non-disordered group was significantly older and scored lower on experiential avoidance, psychological distress, and several motives for use. Results suggest that spiritual motives for cannabis use may be widespread. Implications for future research on spiritual use of cannabis are discussed.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning 104 chronic cannabis users (49 early-onset before age 15, 55 late-onset after age 15)... | 2011 | Observational cross-sectional study | n = 148 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 600 |
| 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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Entheogenic Spirituality: Characteristics of Spiritually Motivated Psychedelics Use International Journal for the Psychology of Religion 2023
- Sociodemographic differences and experienced effects of young adults who use cannabis mainly for self-medication versus recreationally in Finland Drugs, Habits and Social Policy August 18, 2023
- Systematic review and rationale of using psychedelics in the treatment of cannabis use disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2023
- Entheogens: Psychedelic religion in the United States, part two Religion Compass November 1, 2023
- Perceived Risks and Therapeutic Benefits of Cannabis Among College Students Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic Cannabis June 1, 2023
Cites 11
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
- Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience in combination with meditation and other spiritual practices produces enduring positive changes in psychological functioning and in trait measures of prosocial attitudes and behaviors Journal of Psychopharmacology October 11, 2017
- Classic psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States adult population. Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2015
- Long-term effects of psychedelic drugs: A systematic review Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews March 16, 2020
- Voice of the Psychonauts: Coping, Life Purpose, and Spirituality in Psychedelic Drug Users Journal of Psychoactive Drugs July 1, 2011
and 6 more in the library