A scoping review of mystical-type experiences and mood symptom outcomes in psychedelic therapy clinical trials: comparing life-threatening disease and depressive populations
Ana Deutsch, Luis E. Contreras, Sarah Kratina, Leah M. Mayo
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology March 1, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1177/20451253261433836 via OpenAlex
Summary
Psychedelic therapy is linked to reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms, particularly through mystical-type experiences. In a review of clinical trials, 69% of studies found a positive relationship between these experiences and mood improvements. Specifically, 80% of studies involving patients with life-threatening diseases reported this connection, compared to 63% in depressive populations. The effects may vary based on factors like assessment timing and therapeutic context.
Study at a glance
| Design | scoping review |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 410 |
| Population | adults receiving psychedelic therapy for anxiety and depression, including those with life-threatening diseases |
| Key finding | 69% of trials reported a positive relationship between mystical-type experiences and improvement in anxiety and/or depression outcomes. |
Abstract
Background: Psychedelic therapies are gaining attention as tools to alleviate anxiety and depression across various clinical populations. However, the mechanisms behind psychedelics' therapeutic efficacy and the potential differences in how patients with certain diagnoses experience their subjective effects remain unknown. One commonly suggested mediator of positive outcomes across psychedelics trials is the occurrence of mystical-type experiences. Objectives: This scoping review examines the relationship between psychedelic-induced mystical-type experiences and changes in anxiety and depression symptoms, comparing findings across populations with a life-threatening disease (LTD) and other psychiatric populations. Given the unique challenges faced by patients with an LTD diagnosis, this review aimed to determine whether there are any distinct patterns differentiating the effects of mystical-type experiences and mood outcomes in this population from other psychiatric populations. Charting methods: Following a scoping review method, PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO were reviewed. Eligibility criteria: Clinical trials administering psychedelics to adults and measuring mystical-type experiences and their relationship to anxiety and/or depression outcomes were included. Sources of evidence: = 410 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Five studies administered psychedelic therapy to LTD populations, eight trials administered psychedelic therapy to patients with depression. Results: Across all studies, 69% of trials reported a positive relationship between mystical-type experiences and improvement in anxiety and/or depression outcomes. This relationship was found in 80% of LTD studies and 63% of studies in depressive populations. Conclusion: Mystical-type experiences were commonly associated with reductions in anxiety and/or depression symptoms following psychedelic therapy in both LTD and depressive populations. However, this relationship may depend on multiple factors, including the timing of symptom assessments and therapeutic context. Future studies should examine the variables that affect mystical-type experiences, along with other aspects of set and setting, to determine how to best facilitate positive outcomes induced by psychedelics.