Mixed-methods analysis on psychedelic-augmented meditation experiences from a randomized controlled mindfulness retreat
Scientific Reports March 18, 2026 Jonas T. T. Schlomberg, Daniel Meling, Robin Grylka et al.
The acute subjective effects of psychedelics are thought to be key to their therapeutic benefits, but conventional measurement methods may be biased. Using natural language processing to analyze phenomenological interviews from a randomized trial of DMT/harmine versus placebo during meditation in experienced meditators, the study found that meditation under DMT/harmine produced different thematic content and greater experiential diversity than meditation under placebo, though semantic overlap existed. The analysis detected well-known primary effects and subtle language patterns, including frequent use of Buddhist concepts and spiritual jargon regardless of condition. Findings suggest shared features between meditative and psychedelic states, a strong drug-context interconnection, and potential synergistic effects.