Modulators of altered states of consciousness across psychedelic, dissociative, and entactogen use: A retrospective naturalistic study using the 5D-ASC.

The intensity of a psychedelic experience, which is linked to clinical benefits, depends on multiple factors. In an online survey of 804 people, stronger altered states of consciousness were reported when the experience was intended for spiritual, therapeutic, or self-exploratory purposes rather than recreation; when dissociative or serotonergic psychedelics were used instead of entactogens; and with moderate to very high doses compared to very low doses. Age and gender also played a role. The findings suggest that experiential intensity arises from a combination of pharmacological, personal, and contextual elements, and that similarities with mystical experiences may point to a shared neurobiological sensitivity rather than a unique category of experience.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The intensity of the psychedelic experience has been shown to be associated with its clinical efficacy. This study aims to investigate the factors that may influence the level of altered consciousness during naturalistic psychedelic use, which serves as a proxy for the intensity of the psychedelic experience. A retrospective online survey was conducted on individuals who reported a psychedelic experience. Demographic data, intensity of the psychedelic experience as assessed by the Altered States of Consciousness questionnaire (5D-ASC and its 11 subscales) and characteristics of the psychedelic experience were documented. A total of 804 participants were included in this study. Significant predictors of 5D-ASC scores following a psychedelic experience included the intended purpose of the experience (with spiritual/religious, therapeutic, and self-exploratory intentions exerting a greater influence than recreational intentions); the type of substance (with dissociative and serotonergic psychedelics associated with stronger effects than entactogens); the estimated dose (with moderate, high, and very high doses yielding greater effects relative to very low doses); as well as participants' age at the time of the experience and their gender. Our findings indicate that the intensity of psychedelic experiences is influenced by a multifaceted interplay of pharmacological, individual, and contextual factors. The close correspondence between determinants of mystical experiences and altered states of consciousness suggests that experiential intensity may reflect a shared underlying neurobiological sensitivity, rather than being specific to a given phenomenological category.