Psychedelic use and psychological flexibility: The role of meaningful intention and decentering
Journal of Psychedelic Studies August 16, 2024 William M. Campo, Ann Marie Yali 10 citations
In a survey of 114 people who had used classic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, DMT, ayahuasca, or 5MeO-DMT), having a meaningful intention before the experience and the ability to decenter—to observe thoughts and feelings as temporary events in the mind—were each independently linked to greater psychological flexibility, even after accounting for age, income, religious salience, and number of past psychedelic uses. Psychological flexibility means being consciously aware of thoughts and behaviors and adapting to new situations by considering multiple explanations or solutions. The findings suggest that the mindset and cognitive skills brought to a psychedelic session matter for later well-being.