Replication and extension of a model predicting response to psilocybin.
Psychopharmacology November 1, 2019 Suzanne L Russ, R L Carhart-Harris, G Maruyama et al. 75 citations
A state of surrender before taking psilocybin predicts a mystical experience, while a state of preoccupation predicts an adverse experience. These mental states explain substantial variation in how people respond to the drug. The study replicated an earlier model using retrospective data from 183 individuals who had self-administered psilocybin in the past year. Mystical experiences were linked to long-term positive change. Recognizing and cultivating a surrendering mindset before ingestion could improve the therapeutic use of psilocybin in clinical settings.