Impact of a Naturalistic Psychedelic Experience on Smoking: A Retrospective Survey.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2023
Source: PubMed
Summary
A psychedelic experience can significantly reduce tobacco addiction. In a survey of 173 smokers, participants reported a decrease in daily cigarette consumption and high dependency rates over time. Those who successfully reduced or quit smoking experienced more intense mystical moments during their psychedelic sessions and had lower psychological flexibility beforehand. Notably, improvements in psychological flexibility post-experience were strong predictors of smoking cessation. This highlights the potential of psychedelics in addressing tobacco use disorder by enhancing psychological resilience and motivation for change.
Abstract
Tobacco use disorder is a major public health concern. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a psychedelic experience in a natural context on tobacco use. A retrospective online survey was conducted on 173 individuals who reported having had a psychedelic experience while being smokers. Demographic information was collected, and characteristics of the psychedelic experience, tobacco addiction and psychological flexibility were assessed. Mean number of cigarettes smoked per day, and proportion of individuals with high tobacco dependency significantly decreased between the three time points (p < .001). Participants who reduced or quit smoking had more intense mystical experiences during the psychedelic session (p = .01) and lower psychological flexibility before the psychedelic experience (p = .018). The increase in psychological flexibility post psychedelic session, and the personal motives for the psychedelic experience were significant positive predictors of smoking reduction or cessation (p < .001). Our results confirmed that a psychedelic experience in smoker individuals can be associated with smoking and tobacco dependency reduction and that the personal motives for the psychedelic session, the intensity of the mystical experience, and the increase of psychological flexibility following the psychedelic experience, are associated with smoking cessation or reduction.