Psychiatry research
May 1, 2024
B Romeo, E Kervadec, B Fauvel et al.
48 citations
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies show promise for psychiatric disorders. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 studies found that over more than 1000 administrations, only nine serious adverse events occurred (one during the acute phase, eight post-acute). No suicide attempts happened during the acute phase, but three participants engaged in self-harm post-acute. Psychedelics increased risk of elevated heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure across all dose ranges, and nausea during the acute phase. Common side effects included headaches, anxiety, and decreased concentration or appetite. The analysis indicates that psychedelics are well-tolerated with a low risk of serious adverse events in controlled settings with appropriate inclusion criteria.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
January 1, 2023
B Romeo, B Fauvel, S Dejean et al.
14 citations
A retrospective online survey of 173 smokers who had a psychedelic experience found that average cigarettes per day and the proportion with high tobacco dependency dropped significantly afterward. Participants who reduced or quit smoking reported more intense mystical experiences during the session and lower psychological flexibility before it. Increased psychological flexibility after the session and personal motives for taking the psychedelic were positive predictors of smoking reduction or cessation. The findings suggest that a naturalistic psychedelic experience can be linked to reduced tobacco use, with the intensity of the mystical experience, personal motives, and gains in psychological flexibility playing key roles.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry
March 20, 2025
B Romeo, E Kervadec, B Fauvel et al.
5 citations
The intensity of mystical experiences during naturalistic psychedelic use is associated with several factors, including the type of substance, dosage, and the user's intentions. Analyzing data from 1657 participants across four retrospective surveys, higher mystical experience questionnaire scores were linked to spiritual, therapeutic, or self-exploration motives (versus recreational), use of ayahuasca or LSD (versus psilocybin), higher subjective doses, more sessions, longer time since the experience, and no concurrent alcohol use. Concomitant alcohol use was associated with less intense experiences, highlighting the need to screen for substance use in research.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
July 3, 2024
B Romeo, E Kervadec, B Fauvel et al.
5 citations
Among 152 cannabis users who had a significant past psychedelic experience, an online retrospective survey found that after the experience there was a sustained reduction in cannabis use disorder scores, frequency of use, and daily intoxication duration. The reduction in cannabis use during the first month was linked to the intensity of the mystical experience. Participants also reported lasting improvement in psychological flexibility, which was correlated with mystical experience intensity. The findings suggest naturalistic psychedelic experiences may lead to decreased cannabis use, possibly through increased psychological flexibility and mystical experience intensity.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
April 25, 2025
B Romeo, E Kervadec, B Fauvel et al.
A retrospective online survey of French individuals who had a significant psychedelic experience found that the intensity of the mystical experience was positively correlated with improvements in psychological flexibility, especially one month after the experience and during the six months before the survey. Key predictors of changes in psychological flexibility included baseline flexibility scores, the intensity of the mystical experience, and frequent psychedelic use. The findings suggest that the intensity of the mystical experience and baseline psychological flexibility may be key factors influencing changes in psychological flexibility after psychedelic use, indicating potential therapeutic value.