Utilizing Psychedelics to Enhance Well-Being: A Systematic Review

A systematic review of 19 studies with 949 participants examined whether psychedelics can enhance well-being in healthy individuals, applying the PERMA Theory of Well-Being. The substances studied included psilocybin, ayahuasca, LSD, and 5-MeO-DMT. Results consistently indicate that psychedelic consumption is related to enduring enhancements in positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. No serious adverse effects were reported in six studies, though discussion of adverse effects was often absent. The review calls for a paradigm shift toward recognizing psychedelics' capacity to foster human flourishing beyond a disease-focused lens.

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Abstract

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is gaining recognition for its potential to enhance human functioning. While most research has focused on psychedelic' therapeutic use for mental illness, this review applies the PERMA Theory of Well-Being to systematically examine their role in enhancing well-being in healthy individuals. The final search of five academic databases was conducted on February 4, 2024, including studies published from 1994. After applying the inclusion criteria (controlled or naturalistic experimental design with an outcome measurement at least 7 days post-consumption), 19 studies were included. Encompassing 949 participants, two studies involved 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), seven ayahuasca, two lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and eight psilocybin. Results consistently indicate psychedelic consumption is related to enduring enhancements in PERMA's five elements of well-being, including positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. While discussion of adverse effects was frequently absent, no serious adverse effects were reported in six studies. Future research should address the limitations of the included studies by conducting larger-scale, longitudinal randomized controlled trials that incorporate a comprehensive assessment of well-being. Nevertheless, the findings of this systematic review call for a paradigm shift, moving beyond a disease-focused lens to recognizing psychedelics' capacity to enhance well-being in healthy individuals, ultimately fostering human flourishing.