The potential of psilocybin use to enhance well-being in healthy individuals – A scoping review

A scoping review of psilocybin's effects on well-being in healthy individuals found that psilocybin use led to positive well-being-related outcomes for most participants. The facets of well-being positively affected were self-acceptance, positive relationships, and meaning or purpose in life. Ego-dissolution, unity, connectedness, and mystical-type experiences appear crucial for explaining these effects. Under conducive conditions, psilocybin may contribute to healthy functioning through broad and sustained improvements in well-being concepts. However, studies were heterogeneous in objectives, design, sample size, and dosage, so more definite conclusions require further rigorous and homogeneous research.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Background and aims This scoping review employed a multifaceted conceptualization of well-being to examine how psilocybin use affects well-being and related sub-concepts in healthy individuals. It investigated which factors influence the relationship between psilocybin use and well-being, what research protocols have been employed, and what underlying mechanisms have been proposed in existing studies. Methods A comprehensive literature search in line with the PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed articles about psilocybin and well-being in healthy populations. Results Studies were heterogeneous in regard to study objectives, study design, study procedure, sample size and psilocybin dosage. In all studies, psilocybin use led to positive well-being-related outcomes for the majority of participants. Facets of well-being positively affected by psilocybin use in this review were self-acceptance, positive relationships, and meaning/purpose in life. Conclusions This scoping review provided preliminary evidence for the beneficial effects of psilocybin on well-being and related sub-concepts such as self-acceptance, positive relationships, and meaning/purpose in life in healthy individuals. Ego-dissolution, unity, connectedness, and mystical-type experiences are interrelated concepts that seem to be crucial for explaining such positive well-being-related effects of psilocybin. Under conducive conditions, the use of psilocybin may contribute to healthy functioning, through broad and sustained improvements in a variety of well-being concepts. Due to the heterogeneous nature of the studies, more definite conclusions require further research with a rigorous and homogeneous design.