Cited by 905Psychedelics and Drug StudiesReligion, Spirituality, and PsychologyParanormal Experiences and Beliefs

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Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later

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Griffiths, RR, Richards, WA, Johnson, MW, McCann, UD, Jesse, R.·2008·Journal of Psychopharmacology

Abstract

Psilocybin has been used for centuries for religious purposes; however, little is known scientifically about its long-term effects. We previously reported the effects of a double-blind study evaluating the psychological effects of a high psilocybin dose. This report presents the 14-month follow-up and examines the relationship of the follow-up results to data obtained at screening and on drug session days. Participants were 36 hallucinogen-naïve adults reporting regular participation in religious/ spiritual activities. Oral psilocybin (30 mg/70 kg) was administered on one of two or three sessions, with methylphenidate (40 mg/70 kg) administered on the other session(s). During sessions, volunteers were encouraged to close their eyes and direct their attention inward. At the 14-month follow-up, 58% and 67%, respectively, of volunteers rated the psilocybin-occasioned experience as being among the five most personally meaningful and among the five most spiritually significant experiences of their lives; 64% indicated that the experience increased well-being or life satisfaction; 58% met criteria for having had a 'complete' mystical experience. Correlation and regression analyses indicated a central role of the mystical experience assessed on the session day in the high ratings of personal meaning and spiritual significance at follow-up. Of the measures of personality, affect, quality of life and spirituality assessed across the study, only a scale measuring mystical experience showed a difference from screening. When administered under supportive conditions, psilocybin occasioned experiences similar to spontaneously occurring mystical experiences that, at 14-month follow-up, were considered by volunteers to be among the most personally meaningful and spiritually significant of their lives.

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Research works printed but not linked: 10

  1. Doblin, R., 1991, J Transpersonal Psychol, 23, 1
  2. Frisch, MB, 1994, QOLI, Quality of Life Inventory: Manual and Treatment Guide for the Quality of Life Inventory
  3. Hollister, LE, 1961, Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther, 130, 42
  4. Hood Jr, RW, 2000, J Psychology Christ, 19, 232
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  6. Metzner, R., 2004, Teonanacatl: Sacred Mushroom of Visions. El Verano
  7. Metzner, R., 1965, Psychedelic Rev, 5, 3
  8. Pahnke, WN, PhD Thesis presented to the President and Fellows of Harvard University in Religion and Society
  9. Pahnke, WN (1967) LSD and religious experience. In: DeBold, RC , Leaf, RC (eds), LSD Man & Society. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, pp. 60-85.
  10. Pahnke, WN, 1969, Int Psychiatry Clin, 5, 149

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Metadata

Authors
Griffiths, R., Richards, W., Johnson, M., McCann, U., & Jesse, R.
Affiliations
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
  • Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (US)
  • Council on Spiritual Practices, San Francisco, CA, USA
Corresponding author
Griffiths, RR
Venue
Journal of Psychopharmacology
Published
2008-05-30
Volume
22
Issue
6
Pages
621-632
ISSN
  • 0269-8811 (ISSN-L)
  • 1461-7285
OpenAlex
W2119738402
Cited by
905
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 57 · 2025: 98 · 2024: 89 · 2023: 89 · 2022: 101 · 2021: 79 · 2020: 65 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 54 · 2017: 44 · 2016: 46 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 31 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 26
FWCI
20.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Heffter Research Institute
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA003889)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
Keywords
psilocybin, mystical experience, personal meaning, spiritual meaning, long-term effects, life satisfaction, well-being, spirituality, religious experience, personality, quality of life
MeSH terms
Administration, Oral, Adult, Affect, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Hallucinogens, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Mysticism, Personality, Psilocybin, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Religion, Time Factors, Knowledge, Spirituality

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