A Dose of Creativity: An Integrative Review of the Effects of Serotonergic Psychedelics on Creativity
M. Costa
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs July 27, 2022 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2022.2106805 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Integrative review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Serotonin |
| Key findings | The authors suggest that convergent thinking may increase during the post-acute phases of serotonergic psychedelic intake, potentially fostering the development of previously generated ideas. They caution that this evidence is circumstantial due to the low number of studies, small sample sizes, lack of randomized controlled trials, and significant methodological limitations. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT This integrative review was conducted to summarize the knowledge pertaining to the effects that serotonergic psychedelics can have on creativity, a multi-dimensional construct referring to the ability to produce original and valuable artifacts. Psychedelics, which have long been hailed as substances that can enhance the creative process in their users, have experienced a recent resurgence in research, allowing the opportunity to better understand this relationship. To this end, I reviewed literature which attempted to study the effects of serotonergic psychedelics on creativity through psychometric methods. A total of eleven studies were reviewed, with four psychedelic compounds represented. Every study assessed components and subcomponents of divergent and convergent thinking, with only one instance of product assessment. Results suggest that convergent thinking may increase during the post-acute phases of the drugs’ intake, fostering the capacity for development of previously generated ideas. However, this evidence may be circumstantial based on the low number of studies available, small sample sizes, overall lack of randomized controlled trials, and significant methodological limitations throughout most studies. Potential mechanisms underlying these effects are discussed, along with the current state of the research and implications for future studies.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on serotonin, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Divergent Perception: Framing Creative Cognition Through the Lens of Sensory Flexibility The Journal of Creative Behavior December 24, 2024
- Ten theses on the politics of psychedelics Psychedelics June 24, 2026
- Holding space between notes: Music, silence, and cultural attunement in psychedelic-assisted therapy Psychedelics April 2, 2026
- Psychedelics and the future evolution of humanity Journal of Psychedelic Studies August 13, 2025
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