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Cited by 70Psychedelics and Drug StudiesPsychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionParanormal Experiences and Beliefs

Positive psychology in the investigation of psychedelics and entactogens: a critical review

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Jungaberle, Henrik, Thal, Sascha, Zeuch, Andrea, Rougemont-Bücking, Ansgar, von Heyden, Maximilian, Aicher, Helena, Scheidegger, Milan·2018·Neuropharmacology
DOI 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.06.034
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Abstract

Rationale We reviewed the concepts and empirical findings in studies with psychedelics and entactogens related to positive psychology - the study of healthy human functioning, well-being and eudaemonia. It is an unresolved question how beneficial effects of psychedelics and entactogens are related to the potential risks of these substances - particularly in non-clinical settings.Methods We searched in PubMed, PsychINFO and the Cochrane Library for controlled clinical and epidemiological studies which applied concepts from positive psychology. We included N = 77 eligible studies with 9876 participants published before November 1st, 2017: (1) quantitative studies (N = 54), (2) preliminary or exploratory studies and reviews not including meta-analyses (N = 17), and (3) studies evidencing primarily negative results (N = 6).Results Positive psychology concepts have been applied for measuring effects of clinical trials, recreational and ceremonial use of psychedelics and entactogens. Psychedelics and entactogens were shown to produce acute and long-term effects on mood, well-being, prosocial behaviours, empathy, cognitive flexibility, creativity, personality factors like openness, value orientations, nature-relatedness, spirituality, self-transcendence and mindfulness-related capabilities.Conclusions There is preliminary evidence for beneficial effects of psychedelics and entactogens on measures of positive psychology in clinical and healthy populations, however their sustainability remains largely unresolved. The reported results must be considered preliminary due to methodological restrictions. Since longitudinal data on both positive and adverse effects of psychedelics are lacking, more rigorous and standardized measures from positive psychology should be applied in less biased populations with prospective longitudinal designs to carefully assess the benefit-risk-ratio. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Psychedelics: New Doors, Altered Perceptions'.

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Authors
Jungaberle, H., Thal, S., Zeuch, A., Rougemont-Bücking, A., von Heyden, M., Aicher, H., & Scheidegger, M.
Affiliations
  • University of Groningen (NL)
  • University of Fribourg (CH)
  • University Hospital Zurich (CH)
Corresponding author
Jungaberle, Henrik
ORCID
Venue
Neuropharmacology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-11
Volume
142
Pages
179-199
ISSN
0028-3908 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.06.034
OpenAlex
W2809718318
Cited by
70
References
108
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1
FWCI
1.05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Neuropharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion)
  • Murdoch University Research Portal (submittedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
Keywords
psychedelics, entactogens, positive psychology, well-being, eudaimonia, mood, prosocial behavior, empathy, creativity, openness to experience, spirituality, self-transcendence, mindfulness, nature relatedness, risk-benefit ratio, recreational drug use, ceremonial use, adverse effects
MeSH terms
Behavior, Hallucinogens, Humans, Mental Processes, Models, Psychological

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