A systematic review and meta-analysis of existing research suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapy can reduce illness and death anxiety, including existential dread and profound anxieties. The analysis synthesizes findings from multiple studies, indicating improvements in mental health, peace, and well-being. The magnitude of the effect and the authors' level of certainty are not specified in the abstract, but the review points to this innovative therapeutic approach as a promising intervention for alleviating intense fears related to illness and mortality.
Psychedelic use is linked to increases in weekly mindfulness and loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice, especially among people new to psychedelics or meditation. In a longitudinal study of 13,012 US adults aged 18–50, with 7,484 completing follow-up and 336 reporting psychedelic use during the two-month study, those who used psychedelics showed greater gains in meditation days. Among psychedelic users, higher baseline trait mindfulness and self-compassion predicted less severe challenging experiences and lower odds of psychedelic-related thoughts or attempts of self- or other-harm. However, for those already meditating, psychedelic use was associated with more meditation-related difficulties and impairments.
The abstract reviews emerging evidence on cannabinoids and psychedelics as potential treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It suggests these substances may offer new therapeutic avenues, though the evidence remains preliminary and further research is needed to establish efficacy and safety.