Psychedelics use predicts more positive emotional reactivity and diminished outward-focused self-consciousness: the mediating role of ego dissolution and mystical experiences

Background: Psychedelics are able to acutely alter emotional reactivity and self-consciousness. However, whether regular, naturalistic use of psychedelics can be linked to more persistent, trait-level changes in these domains remains an open question.Aim: To test three hypotheses: i) psychedelics use is related to higher positive and lower negative emotional reactivity; ii) psychedelics use is related to enhanced inward-focused self-consciousness and diminished outward-focused self-consciousness; iii) these relations are mediated by the intensity of past ego-dissolution and mystical experiences.Methods: Data from 2,516 participants (1,661 psychedelics users) were collected via an online survey. The survey included questions about the history of psychoactive substance use, questionnaires measuring trait-levels of emotional reactivity and self-consciousness, and questionnaires for retrospective assessment of ego-dissolution and mystical experiences. Data were analyzed using robust linear regression and mediation analysis.Results: First, a higher number of lifetime psychedelic experiences predicted greater positive and lower negative emotional reactivity. Second, in the domain of self, it predicted greater reflection and internal self-awareness, and reduced rumination tendency and public self-consciousness. Finally, intensity of past mystical and ego-dissolution experiences mediated almost all observed relationships between the lifetime psychedelics use and psychological variables.

Conclusions: Lifetime psychedelics use predicts an adaptive pattern of trait-level emotional reactivity and self-consciousness. The past ego-dissolution and mystical experiences are essential in understanding the long-lasting psychological effects of psychedelics use. Our findings might potentially explain previous observations of increased well-being in psychedelics users.