Naturalistic Psilocybin Use Increases Mind Perception but not Atheist-Believer status: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
OpenAlex – June 09, 2023
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Psychedelic experiences significantly enhance how individuals perceive minds in various entities. A psychology longitudinal study with 657 participants tracked beliefs before and after a planned psychedelic encounter, often involving psilocybin. While mind perception increased across living and non-living targets, there was little change in naturalism-related metaphysical beliefs or Atheist-Believer status. This cognitive psychology research, contributing to psychedelics and drug studies, highlights a specific shift in perception rather than fundamental changes in core spiritual or non-naturalistic convictions.
Abstract
Recent studies suggest psychedelic use may be associated with changes in a variety of beliefs or belief-like states, including increased 1) mind perception, 2) non-naturalistic beliefs, and 3) Atheist-Believer status (e.g., believer, agnostic, or non-believer). We conducted a prospective longitudinal study among participants (N = 657) who planned to have a psychedelic experience. We asked participants about their beliefs concerning mind perception of various entities, specific metaphysical positions, and Atheist-Believer status both before and after their experience. Replicating previous findings, we observed increases in mind perception across a variety of living and non-living targets (e.g., plants, animals). However, we found little to no change in metaphysical beliefs (e.g., dualism) or Atheist-Believer status. Taken together, these findings contrast with those from cross-sectional studies that psychedelic experiences result in changes to Atheist-Believer status and non-naturalistic beliefs but support the relevance of mind perception and mentalization.