Griffiths et al.'s Study of Psilocybin with Religious Professionals: A Theological Response from a Christian Perspective.
Joseph Lorenz, Scott Hawkins, Bryan Mccarthy
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) December 1, 2025 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1177/28314425251406251 via PubMed
Summary
The commentary critiques Griffiths et al.'s study on psilocybin and its effects on religious attitudes among clergy, arguing that the study's reliance on perennialism complicates its findings. It suggests that pursuing mysticism through psychedelics may lead to hyper-individualism and idolatry, which established religious traditions can help mitigate.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | The study's presupposition of perennialism complicates its conclusions about the effects of psilocybin on religious experiences. |
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Abstract
Griffiths et al.'s recent "Effects of Psilocybin on Religious and Spiritual Attitudes and Behaviors in Clergy from Various Major World Religions" is an important study in the literature on psychedelic medicine and religious experience. In this commentary on the study, we argue: (1) The study design's implicit presupposition of perennialism in its conception of mysticism burdens it with metaphysical and theological freight it doesn't need to support its hypothesis; and (2) Psychedelic usage in pursuit of mysticism, however construed, risks two pathologies-hyper-individualism and idolatry-that religious traditions and communities are well-positioned to counter.