Factor Analysis of the Mystical Experience Questionnaire: A Study of Experiences Occasioned by the Hallucinogen Psilocybin
Katherine A. Maclean, Jeannie‐marie Leoutsakos, Matthew W. Johnson, Roland R. Griffiths
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion December 1, 2012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-5906.2012.01685.x via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 30-item version of the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ) reliably measures four core dimensions of mystical experiences brought on by psilocybin: unity, noetic quality, and sacredness; positive mood; transcendence of time and space; and ineffability. Over 1,600 participants who had taken psilocybin completed the original 43-item MEQ, and factor analysis retained 30 items with a clear four-factor structure. Those who reported having a mystical experience scored significantly higher on all factors, confirming the scale's construct validity. The factor structure held in a second sample of 440 people and fit better than alternative models, supporting the MEQ's use in scientific studies of hallucinogen-occasioned mysticism.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Exploratory factor analysis with confirmatory factor analysis in a replication sample Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,602 |
| Population | Adults who had ingested psilocybin and reported a mystical or profound experience |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Topics | Mysticism Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Psychology Exploratory factor analysis |
| Citations | 412 |
| Key finding | The 30-item Mystical Experience Questionnaire has a valid four-factor structure capturing unity/noetic quality/sacredness, positive mood, transcendence of time/space, and ineffability, and distinguishes those who had a mystical experience from those who did not. |
Abstract
A large body of historical evidence describes the use of hallucinogenic compounds, such as psilocybin mushrooms, for religious purposes. But few scientific studies have attempted to measure or characterize hallucinogen‐occasioned spiritual experiences. The present study examined the factor structure of the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), a self‐report measure that has been used to assess the effects of hallucinogens in laboratory studies. Participants (N = 1,602) completed the 43‐item MEQ in reference to a mystical or profound experience they had had after ingesting psilocybin. Exploratory factor analysis of the MEQ retained 30 items and revealed a four‐factor structure covering the dimensions of classic mystical experience: unity, noetic quality, sacredness (F1); positive mood (F2); transcendence of time/space (F3); and ineffability (F4). MEQ factor scores showed good internal reliability and correlated with the Hood Mysticism Scale, indicating convergent validity. Participants who endorsed having had a mystical experience on psilocybin, compared to those who did not, had significantly higher factor scores, indicating construct validity. The four‐factor structure was confirmed in a second sample (N = 440) and demonstrated superior fit compared to alternative models. The results provide initial evidence of the validity, reliability, and factor structure of a 30‐item scale for measuring single, hallucinogen‐occasioned mystical experiences, which may be a useful tool in the scientific study of mysticism.