Exploring factors associated with the intensity of a mystical experience following naturalistic psychedelic use: A retrospective survey.
Bruno Romeo, Ewen Kervadec, Baptiste Fauvel, Lana Strika-Bruneau, Ammar Amirouche, Vincent Verroust, Pascale Piolino, Amine Benyamina
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry March 20, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2025.111300 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort (retrospective surveys) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,657 |
| Population | Adults reporting naturalistic psychedelic use |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy Mystical experience |
| Keywords | Dose intake Mystical experience intensity Mystical experience questionnaire Type of psychedelics Mystical experiences Spirituality Drug dosage |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Mystical experience intensity was significantly predicted by motive, substance type, subjective dosage, number of sessions, time elapsed, and alcohol use, with alcohol use associated with less intense experiences. |
Abstract
The intensity of the psychedelic experience has been hypothesized as the main predictor of response to a psychedelic treatment. This study aimed to investigate factors that may be associated with the intensity of mystical experiences during naturalistic psychedelic use. The data of this comprehensive sample were aggregated from four previous retrospective surveys, where mystical experience intensity was assessed using the mystical experience questionnaire (MEQ-30). Additional collected data included psychological flexibility levels, intentions regarding psychedelic use, substance used, subjective dosage levels, and socio-demographic information. ANOVA and linear regression were performed to identify predictors of MEQ-30 scores. A total of 1657 participants were included in this study. The significant predictors of the total MEQ score were: the main motive for the psychedelic experience (with a greater impact of spiritual/religious, therapeutic, and self-exploration, compared to recreational), the type of substance used (with a greater impact for Ayahuasca and lysergic acid diethylamide than for psilocybin), the subjective dosage (greater impact of very high, high, and moderate doses, compared to a very low dose), the number of psychedelic sessions, the time elapsed since the experience, and concomitant alcohol use. This large sample study highlights significant associations between the intensity of mystical experiences during naturalistic psychedelic use and several key factors: the type of the psychedelic substance used, dosage, and set, particularly participants' intentions. Moreover, results show that concomitant alcohol use is associated with less intense psychedelic experiences, emphasizing the relevance of screening participants for substance use in research settings.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on mystical experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Of Roots and Fruits: A Comparison of Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic Mystical Experiences Self-selected participants who reported a religious, spiritual, or mystical experience | 2016 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 739 |
| 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 |
| Peak Experiences: Some Empirical Tests Random sample of adults in the San Francisco Bay Area | 1978 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| Peak Experience Tendencies | 1982 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| Rhythmic Chanting and Mystical States across Traditions. Regular chanters across 33 countries | 2021 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 464 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Mind the gap! Addressing unresolved aspects of abuse potential evaluation and scheduling of classic and novel psychedelic drugs Journal of Psychopharmacology October 16, 2025
- Psychometric validation of the French version of the five-dimensional altered states of consciousness questionnaire (5D-ASC) and associated 11 OAV subscales. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry June 20, 2026
- Intentions might matter in unexpected ways: A nuanced exploration of psychedelic intentions beyond their type Research Square June 9, 2026
- The Ethnopharmacological Use of Mescaline for Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review International Journal of Molecular Sciences March 28, 2026
Cites 43
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
and 38 more in the library