Basic and Applied Social Psychology
December 1, 2003
Mario Mikulincer, Omri Gillath, Yael Sapir-Lavid et al.
216 citations
Three experiments with Israeli undergraduates examined how feeling secure—either through recalling supportive memories or viewing pictures of caring others—influences the importance placed on values like benevolence and universalism. Participants who were primed with a sense of security, as well as those with naturally lower attachment avoidance, rated these self-transcendence values as more important. These effects were not due to mood. The findings suggest that a sense of secure attachment enhances concern for others and shapes value priorities.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
April 21, 2025
Einat Karp Barnir, Zohar Rubinstein, Rany Abend et al.
7 citations
Among 343 adult survivors of a single large-scale terrorist attack at a festival, those who had consumed classic psychedelics during the attack reported significantly lower levels of anxiety and post-traumatic symptoms three weeks later, compared to those who took 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or no psychedelics. The protective effect against post-traumatic responses was stronger for participants who did not use other recreational substances alongside the psychedelics. These findings suggest that classic psychedelics may modulate the formation of enduring trauma memories and confer a protective effect against the development of post-traumatic stress and anxiety.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
March 5, 2024
Aaron D. Cherniak, Mario Mikulincer, Joel Gruneau Brulin et al.
7 citations
People who recall insecure early attachment with parents report more intense psychedelic experiences—mystical, challenging, emotional breakthrough, ego dissolution, and sensed presence—during their most memorable psychedelic session. However, current adult attachment styles (anxiety and avoidance) are unrelated to the intensity of those experiences. The subjective features of naturalistic psychedelic use do not typically weaken the connection between a perceived insecure attachment history and current attachment insecurity. The study surveyed 185 Jewish adults online who had used psychedelics.
December 25, 2021
Aaron D. Cherniak, Joel Gruneau Brulin, Mario Mikulincer et al.
4 citations
preprint
Combining attachment theory with the REBUS model offers a framework for understanding how psychedelic experiences can reshape spiritual and religious beliefs. Attachment theory holds that early caregiving relationships create internal working models that act as mental templates for later interpersonal and divine relationships. Psychedelic therapy may work by loosening rigid, defensive mental patterns—such as insecure attachment to others or God—while corrective relational experiences with a therapist or others amplify this effect. Three research proposals are outlined: individual attachment security predicts how people experience and integrate psychedelic sessions; effective psychedelic therapy should increase attachment security as a measurable outcome; and attachment-related processes—like feeling connected to others or God and reducing attachment-related anxieties—are key mechanisms in psychedelic treatment's clinical benefits.
The Oxford Handbook of Psychedelic, Religious, Spiritual, and Mystical Experiences
December 18, 2024
Aaron D. Cherniak, Robin Carhart-Harris, Joel Gruneau Brulin et al.
2 citations
A theoretical synthesis of attachment theory and the REBUS neuroscientific model offers an organizing framework for psychedelic science. Attachment theory holds that people develop internal working models (IWMs) of relational experiences that function as predictive models shaping social and emotional worlds. Effective psychedelic interventions may induce a hyper-plastic neural state that, supported by corrective relational experiences, facilitates rapid learning and revision of IWMs toward greater security. Three proposals guide future research: individual differences in attachment security predict psychedelic phenomenology and integration; increasing attachment security may be a clinical outcome; and clinical utility involves attachment-related dynamics such as connectedness and alleviation of worries.
October 27, 2025
Aaron D. Cherniak, Pehr Granqvist, Mario Mikulincer et al.
preprint
Life stress increases the likelihood of challenging experiences with psychedelics, which can lead to poorer outcomes. An international online survey of 1,867 psychedelic users found that a therapeutic context weakened the link between stressful life events and challenging experiences, and between challenging experiences and coping, but not other associations. The degree of perceived therapeutic support moderated how challenging experiences affected their valence, impact on coping, and impact on well-being. In other models, therapeutic support had independent effects but no interaction. These findings suggest therapeutic context and support are important for reducing harm in both clinical and naturalistic psychedelic use.
Aaron D. Cherniak, Joel Gruneau Brulin, Sebastian Ostlind et al.
preprint
Our early relationships profoundly shape how we connect with others and the divine. This framework proposes that psychedelics could help relax rigid mental patterns formed by these foundational experiences. It suggests an individual's attachment security influences their psychedelic journey, and that effective psychedelic therapy may actually boost this security. The process involves fostering a deeper sense of connection and easing worries, enhancing treatment benefits.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
May 28, 2026
Lev Korchagin, Jonathan Fridman, Mario Mikulincer et al.
Among 422 recreational psychedelic users in Israel, 92% acknowledged the importance of testing substances for harm reduction, yet only 20% reported testing at least occasionally and only 4.3% always did so. 95% expressed readiness to use testing kits if provided free at the point of use. People who measured their substance dosages and those who obtained information from scientific research or online resources were more likely to test; those relying on friends for information tested less often. Employment status and sexual orientation were also associated with testing kit use. Legalizing and providing free testing kits at places of use may increase adoption of this harm reduction practice.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
March 14, 2026
Aaron D Cherniak, Pehr Granqvist, Mario Mikulincer et al.
Life stress increases the likelihood of challenging psychedelic experiences, which can lead to poorer outcomes. An online survey of 1,867 international psychedelic users tested whether therapeutic-like contexts and support moderate these links. Therapeutic-like context reduced the association between stressful life events and challenging experiences, and between challenging experiences and coping, but not other associations. The degree of therapeutic-like support moderated the association of challenging experiences with valence, impact on coping, and impact on well-being. In other models, therapeutic-like support had independent effects but no interaction effects. These findings suggest that therapeutic context and support can buffer the negative effects of life stress on psychedelic experiences and outcomes.