Die subakuten Effekte des Psilocybin auf Persönlichkeit, Achtsamkeit und die Auflösung des Selbst

A single dose of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, taken in a naturalistic retreat setting, led to positive changes in attitudes about life, self, behavior, mood, relationships, and spirituality among 55 self-selected participants. Most participants experienced high degrees of ego-dissolution, though its strength did not statistically significantly predict changes. Clear statistical trends emerged for reduced state and trait anxiety, improved life satisfaction, and reduced neuroticism. The reduction in neuroticism is argued to be the underlying factor driving these positive changes, potentially explaining how psilocybin alleviates depressive symptoms in clinical trials.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psychedelics are a class of drugs that can occasion similar changes in conscious ex- periences mediated via the G-protein coupled Serotonin 2A receptor. These changes vary from slight distortions in perceptions to pseudohallucinations and the experienced cessation of a personal self distinct from and necessary for conscious experience, known as ego-dissolution. Psychedelics produce positive changes of affect predicted by the strength of ego-dissolution, for instance alleviating depressive symptoms, Psychedelics are currently being studied for their efficacy in treating psychiatric diseases, particu- larly depression. Psilocybin, a prodrug contained in psychoactive mushrooms species, is expected to be introduced into clinical practice within this decade due to its relatively short duration of effect and low toxicity. In this thesis, I present the results of a naturalistic study without a control group of 55 self-selected participants of psilocybin retreats. Questionnaires about personality structure, life satisfaction, mindfulness and anxiety were answered a day before, a day after and seven days after the consumption of psilocybin-containing mushrooms. The strength of the psychedelic experience was recorded one day after consumption. This work aimed to further characterise the effects of a single dose of psilocybin- containing mushrooms on subjective measures of well-being and on personality struc- ture. My hypotheses were improved life satisfaction and reduced anxiety, neuroticism, non-judging of inner experience at Day 7. Additionally, stronger ego-dissolution was hypothesised to predict stronger changes in these measures of well-being. The data was analysed with multiple linear and linear mixed models. The results show that the majority of the subjects experienced high degrees ego-dissolution. They saw on median positive changes in attitudes about their life and self, their behaviour and mood as well as their relationships and spirituality. The strength of ego-dissolution did not statistically significantly predict changes, but clear statistical trends of reduced state and trait anxiety, improved life satisfaction and reduced neuroticism became apparent. The reduction in neuroticism is here argued to be the underlying factor in these positive changes. This thesis further characterises the psychologically underlying mechanism for the al- leviation of depressive symptoms, for which psilocybin is currently being clinically tri- alled. A reduction in neuroticism is hypothesised to underlie reductions in anxiety and improvements in life satisfaction.