Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety.
Journal of contextual behavioral science January 1, 2020 Alan K. Davis, Frederick S. Barrett, Roland R. Griffiths 369 citations
Acute subjective effects of psychedelics, particularly mystical and insightful experiences, are linked to reductions in depression and anxiety. In a cross-sectional survey of 985 people who had used a psychedelic, increases in psychological flexibility fully mediated the relationship between these acute effects and decreases in depression and anxiety. This suggests that psychological flexibility may be a key mechanism through which psychedelics produce therapeutic benefits. Future prospective studies are needed to test this directly.