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Cited by 33Psychedelics and Drug StudiesParanormal Experiences and BeliefsReligion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Use of Benefit Enhancement Strategies among 5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) Users: Associations with Mystical, Challenging, and Enduring Effects

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Lancelotta, Rafael L., Davis, Alan K.·2020·Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
DOI 10.1080/02791072.2020.1737763PMC PMC7415524
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Abstract

5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a potent, fast-acting psychedelic. Anecdotal reports from 5-MeO-DMT users suggest that they employ a variety of benefit enhancement (BE) strategies aimed to increase positive effects and decrease any potential challenging effects of the substance, but no empirical study has investigated this claim. We examined the prevalence of BE strategy use using secondary data from a survey of 5-MeO-DMT users (n = 515; Mage = 35.4, SD = 11.7; Male = 79%; White/Caucasian = 86%). Results indicated that BE strategy use was common in this sample. As a secondary aim, we assessed whether the use of BE strategies was associated with acute subjective (i.e., mystical-type, challenging) and persisting effects of 5-MeO-DMT among a subset of respondents who reported using 5-MeO-DMT once in their lifetime (n = 116). Results showed that the use of several BE strategies were associated with significantly more intense mystical-type effects and enduring beliefs about the personal meaning and spiritual significance of their experience, and some BE strategies were associated with less intense or challenging experiences. Data suggests that BE strategies are commonly used, and that the use of BE strategies may be associated with increases in positive mystical-type and enduring effects. The causal influence of BE strategies on acute/persisting effects of 5-MeO-DMT should be examined in longitudinal research.

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  • In recent studies which administered psychedelics within a mindfulness context, negative acute effects of psychedelics were minimised, and a deeper meditative state was achieved.

    “In recent studies which administered psychedelics within a mindfulness context, reviewed in the previous section (Three Recent Studies of a Combined Methodology) negative acute effects of psychedelics were minimised, and a deeper meditative state was achieved (60, 61, 171).”

    From Examining the Potential Synergistic Effects Between Mindfulness Training and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (2021) · cites this paper as [171]

    The Results (page unavailable) report that 5-MeO-DMT users who prepared music described less intense challenging effects, while those who meditated before a session described more intense mystical-type effects. The Discussion cautions that these are associations, not demonstrated effects of administering psychedelics in a mindfulness context. The paper does not report that a deeper meditative state was achieved. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • Using mindfulness training as an adjunct may help reduce the psychedelic dose required, as it can intensify the acute psychedelic experience, which is thought to mediate treatment effects.

    “Although policy change is imminent, using mindfulness training as an adjunct may help reduce the psychedelic dose required, as it can intensify the acute psychedelic experience (60, 61, 171), which is thought to mediate treatment effects (49).”

    From Examining the Potential Synergistic Effects Between Mindfulness Training and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (2021) · cites this paper as [171]

    The Results report that 5-MeO-DMT users who meditated before a session rated their mystical-type effects as more intense. The Discussion cautions that a direct effect has not been established. The paper does not test mindfulness training or whether it reduces the psychedelic dose required; the separate claim about mediation of treatment effects is attached to citation 49, not this source. The indexed passages provide no page numbers. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Dargan P, & Wood D (2013). Novel Psychoactive Substances: Classification, Pharmacology and Toxicology. Elsevier.
  2. Shulgin A, & Shulgin A (1997). TiHKAL: The Continuation (First). Transform Press.

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Authors
Lancelotta, R. L., & Davis, A. K.
Affiliations
  • University of Wyoming (US)
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
Corresponding author
Davis, Alan K.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2020-03-09
Volume
52
Issue
3
Pages
273-281
ISSN
  • 0279-1072 (ISSN-L)
  • 2159-9777
DOI
10.1080/02791072.2020.1737763
PMC
PMC7415524
OpenAlex
W3012221112
Cited by
33
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1
FWCI
2.10
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Drug Abuse (07209)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Keywords
5-MeO-DMT, psychedelic use, mystical experience, challenging experiences, spiritual meaning, subjective effects, set and setting
MeSH terms
Adult, Allyl Compounds, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Mysticism, Surveys and Questionnaires, Tryptamines

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