Classic Psychedelic Use and Current Meditation PracticeShow others and affiliations
2023 (English)In: Mindfulness, ISSN 1868-8527, E-ISSN 1868-8535, Vol. 14, p. 763-768Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
ObjectivesPrevious research has investigated potential synergies between classic psychedelics and meditation practice, but relatively little remains known about the relationship between classic psychedelic experiences and engagement with meditation practice. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between classic psychedelic experiences and engagement with two popular types of meditation: mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness or compassion meditation.MethodThis retrospective, population-based observational study included 2822 respondents aged 18 years or older in the United States. Using covariate-adjusted regression models, this study examined associations of classic psychedelic experiences with current practice of mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness or compassion meditation.ResultsIn covariate-adjusted regression models, lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation practice but not current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice. Both psychological insight and "ego dissolution" were associated with a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation practice and current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice. Notably, when psychological insight and "ego dissolution" were entered into the regression model simultaneously, only greater psychological insight was associated with having a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation practice and current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice.ConclusionsAlthough the findings in this study cannot demonstrate causality, they suggest that classic psychedelic experiences may exert a positive effect on the cultivation and maintenance of health-related behaviors such as regular meditation practice, with psychological insight appearing to be a stronger predictor than "ego dissolution."PreregistrationThis study was not preregistered.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
SPRINGER , 2023. Vol. 14, p. 763-768
Keywords [en]
Psychedelics; Psilocybin; LSD; Meditation; Mindfulness
National Category
Psychology (excluding Applied Psychology)
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-193438DOI: 10.1007/s12671-023-02103-wISI: 000966751500001OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-193438DiVA, id: diva2:1754711
Note
Funding Agencies|Osmond Foundation; Ekhaga Foundation; National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health [K23AT010879]; FORMAS, Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development [FR-2018/0006]; Springs Foundation through the Monash Centre for Consciousness & Contemplative Studies; University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health; University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education; Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation; Wisconsin Center for Education Research
2023-05-042023-05-042024-04-11