Experiences of psychedelic drug use among people with psychotic symptoms and disorders: Personal growth and mystical experiences
Joseph T. la Torre, Jade Gallo, Mehdi Mahammadli, Daniel Zalewa, Monnica T. Williams
Journal of Psychedelic Studies July 31, 2024 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1556/2054.2024.00348 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
Most people with a history of psychotic experiences or disorders reported positive outcomes from psychedelic experiences, including personal growth, mystical-type experiences, and improved insight. In a survey of 100 participants, 88 reported some degree of personal growth. However, 11% described overall negative experiences, such as symptom exacerbation and terror, and others reported mixed experiences. These findings challenge the common practice of excluding this group from psychedelic therapy research.
Study at a glance
| Design | retrospective survey |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | individuals with a history of psychotic experiences or disorders |
| Key finding | Most respondents with psychotic experiences or disorders reported positive psychedelic experiences, but a minority reported negative outcomes including symptom exacerbation. |
Abstract
Individuals with a history of psychotic experiences and disorders such as schizophrenia, and mood disorders with psychotic features tend to be excluded from psychedelic-assisted therapy research and treatment programs, despite minimal research demonstrating heightened risk of adverse effects for this group. Participants (n = 100) were asked to complete an online, retrospective survey that asked about psychotic experiences and/or diagnoses and one memorable psychedelic experience, along with mental health histories, dose used, set and setting, and other relevant variables including whether they mixed their psychedelic with other substances. Respondents also completed pertinent psychometric questionnaires and answered questions regarding the impact of their psychedelic experience on their well-being, mental health, relationships, spiritual beliefs, and aspects of their life. Thematic inductive analysis was used to identify recurring themes. Most respondents (n = 88) stated that their psychedelic experience resulted in some degree of personal growth. Many also described mystical-type experiences, increased levels of contemplation and spirituality, improved insight, symptomatic improvements, and feelings of love and appreciation following the experience. Most described overall positive experiences, however, 11% (n = 11) described overall negative experiences, which included symptom exacerbation, dysphoria, and terror, and a slightly larger portion described mixed-type experiences.