The Relationship Between Psychedelic Use, Mystical Experiences, and Pro-Environmental Behaviors
Kelly Paterniti, Stephen Bright, Eyal Gringart
Journal of Humanistic Psychology July 15, 2022 DOI: 10.1177/00221678221111024 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational survey study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 240 |
| Population | Adults with prior psychedelic experience |
| Measures | Charity Task |
| Topics | Mystical experience |
| Key findings | Participants who met criteria for a "complete" mystical state during psychedelic use reported significantly higher self-reported pro-environmental behavior, openness, and agreeableness than those who did not, with PEB differences in "eco-shopping and eating" and "one-off domestic conservation actions." Those who donated in the Charity Task reported higher self-reported PEB, supporting the task's validity. The authors suggest mystical experiences influence PEB but call for experimental designs to test causality. |
Abstract
Expanding on the work of Forstmann and Sagioglou, this study investigated the differences in personality and pro-environmental behavior (PEB) as a function of psychedelic-occasioned mystical experiences. A sample of 240 participants with prior psychedelic experience completed an online survey. Data were collected on participants’ psychedelic-occasioned mystical states, personality, and self-reported PEB. A measure of behavioral PEB was also included (Charity Task). The mean scores on self-reported PEB, openness and agreeableness of participants who met the criteria for a “complete” mystical state, were significantly higher than those who did not. Specifically, those who experienced a mystical state scored higher on the PEB types “eco-shopping and eating” and “one-off domestic conservation actions.” Participants who demonstrated PEB in the Charity Task scored higher on self-reported PEB than those who did not, supporting the task’s validity. Findings suggest that mystical experiences influence PEB. Future research with experimental designs could further illuminate potential causal relationships.
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 11
- Set and setting predict psychopathology, wellbeing and meaningfulness of psychedelic experiences: a correlational study. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology 2024
- The effect of psilocybin on empathy and prosocial behavior: a proposed mechanism for enduring antidepressant effects. npj Mental Health Research February 20, 2024
- Transpersonal Ecodelia: Surveying Psychedelically Induced Biophilia Psychoactives May 25, 2023
- Restructuring insight: An integrative review of insight in problem-solving, meditation, psychotherapy, delusions and psychedelics November 26, 2021
- Meaningful Psychedelic Experiences Predict Increased Moral Expansiveness. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 12, 2025
and 6 more in the library
Cites 25
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects. Psychopharmacology December 1, 2011
- Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness Journal of Psychopharmacology September 28, 2011
- Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later Journal of Psychopharmacology May 30, 2008
- Validation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire in experimental sessions with psilocybin Journal of Psychopharmacology October 6, 2015
and 20 more in the library