Naturalistic Psilocybin Use Increases Mind Perception but not Atheist-Believer status: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
June 9, 2023 Sandeep M. Nayak, Sydney White, Samantha Hilbert et al. 1 citation preprint
A longitudinal study of 657 people planning a psychedelic experience measured changes in beliefs about mind perception, metaphysical positions, and Atheist-Believer status before and after the experience. Replicating prior work, participants showed increased mind perception for living and non-living targets such as plants and animals. However, there was little to no change in metaphysical beliefs like dualism or in Atheist-Believer status. These results contrast with cross-sectional studies suggesting psychedelics alter non-naturalistic beliefs or religious identity, but they support the idea that psychedelics specifically affect how people perceive minds in various entities.