Contextual and experiential aspects of the psychedelic experience predicting improvement in subjective wellbeing: results from a Norwegian internet convenience sample.
Paula Aarseth Tunstad, Tor-Morten Kvam, Malin V. Uthaug, Lowan H. Stewart, Kristoffer A A Andersen, Cato Grønnerød
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1556299 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Norwegian-speaking adults who had a memorable experience with a classic psychedelic substance |
| Intervention | Classical psychedelics |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | N,N-Dimethyltryptamine DMT Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens Research studies surveys Mental health wellbeing Psychological wellness Emotional health Psychoactive substances Clinical research Scientific studies Treatment |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | 85% of participants reported a small to large positive change in subjective wellbeing after their experience with classical psychedelics, with integration, ego dissolution, and emotional breakthrough having a clear positive predictive effect. |
Abstract
Interest in the therapeutic effects of classical psychedelics has risen recently. However, little epidemiological knowledge exists about the use of classical psychedelics in Scandinavian countries. Additionally, there is a limited understanding of what factors drive self-reported improvement in wellbeing. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the use of classical psychedelics and outcomes related to subjective wellbeing in an adult, Norwegian-speaking sample. We examined how contextual and phenomenological variables were associated with self-reported subjective wellbeing. Using an anonymous internet survey, we recruited Norwegian speaking subjects who have had a memorable experience after taking a classic psychedelic substance. Data are presented by using descriptive statistics about the sample and two hierarchical regression analyses. The first regression analysis examined contextual variables, and the second examined variables related to acute phenomena during the experience. The survey showed that 85% of the sample reported a small to large positive change in subjective wellbeing after their experience with classical psychedelics. Integration, ego dissolution, and emotional breakthrough had a clear, positive predictive effect on the participants' self-reported subjective wellbeing. Variables with lower but significant effects were the degree of challenging experiences, settings associated with nature or ceremony, and a therapeutic or seeking intention. The use of classical psychedelics leads to an increase in subjective wellbeing for the majority of the participants. This relationship seems dependent upon various experiential aspects of acute subjective drug effects. These findings should be viewed as hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory due to the study's limitations.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey study of challenging experiences after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms: Acute and enduring positive and negative consequences Individuals who had consumed psilocybin mushrooms and experienced a psychologically... | 2016 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 1,993 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| Cessation and reduction in alcohol consumption and misuse after psychedelic use Individuals with prior alcohol use disorder who reported cessation or reduction in... | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 343 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Persistent Altered States: Psychological Treatment of Psychedelic Adverse Effects Tidsskrift for Norsk psykologforening December 1, 2025
- Psykologisk behandling av vedvarende vansker etter bruk av psykedelika Tidsskrift for Norsk psykologforening December 1, 2025
- Why taking the trip out of psychedelic medicine is a mistake. International Journal of Drug Policy September 9, 2026
Cites 49
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Quality of Acute Psychedelic Experience Predicts Therapeutic Efficacy of Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Frontiers in Pharmacology January 17, 2018
- Psychedelics and the essential importance of context. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 15, 2018
- Global Street Food: la cocina de la calle Diseño interior 2009
- Patients’ Accounts of Increased “Connectedness” and “Acceptance” After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Journal of Humanistic Psychology June 19, 2017
and 44 more in the library