Subscribe
The latest psychology and neuroscience discoveries.
My Account
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychopharmacology
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Psychopharmacology Psychedelic Drugs

One dose of psychedelics can result in belief changes about the supernatural or non-physical world

by Laura Staloch
March 16, 2023
in Psychedelic Drugs

[Subscribe to PsyPost on YouTube to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in psychology and neuroscience]

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A recent study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that for those who had used psychedelics in the past, even one dose can result in lasting belief changes about the supernatural or non-physical world.  Specifically, the findings revealed significant increases in beliefs related to mind-body dualism, paranormal or spiritual phenomena, and consciousness. These findings provide further evidence of the consequences of psychedelic use and its potential as a therapeutic intervention.

The use of psychedelic substances is often connected to beliefs about the supernatural or non-physical world. Cultures have interpreted psychedelic experiences in various ways, including communicating with ancestors, warding off illness-causing spirits, and gaining insights about the future. Contemporary studies indicate that taking psychedelics can lead to experiences of spirituality and changes in supernatural beliefs.

Studies have shown that psilocybin can cause immediate mystical experiences and long-lasting improvements in an individual’s spirituality. However, despite the increasing attention given to researching this topic, a limited number of studies have tackled the specific types of beliefs that are influenced by the use of psychedelics.

The research team recruited 1,874 participants who reported experiences with one of the commonly used psychedelics, including LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, or ayahuasca. Participants responded to a survey that covered various aspects such as demographic details, use of psychedelic substances, personality traits, and scientific knowledge and attitudes. The majority of the questions in the survey were aimed at understanding the impact of a single psychedelic experience on an individual’s beliefs.

The findings indicated that a single psychedelic experience could result in specific and significant changes in a person’s beliefs. Factor analysis of participants’ responses determined that the belief changes fell into five categories:

  1. Dualism — (a philosophical position that the mind and body are separable).
  2. Paranormal/Spirituality (beliefs including the existence of telepathy, disembodied spirits and existence of self after death, communication with the dead, reincarnation and whether some people can predict the future or move objects with their mind).
  3. Nonmammal Consciousness (whether insects, trees and rocks are capable of having a conscious experience).
  4. Mammal Consciousness (nonmammal and mammal consciousness and whether these are “capable of having conscious experience”).
  5. Superstition (beliefs that breaking mirrors, the number 13 and black cats bring bad luck, etc).

Participants experienced an increase in all categories of beliefs, except superstitious beliefs, following an experience with psychedelics.

“Up to this point we have undertheorized and underemphasized psychedelic-induced belief changes,” Sandeep Nayak, lead investigator and assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said in a news release. “Guardrails against certain belief changes in clinical use are important, but the extent to which such nonnaturalistic beliefs may be therapeutic is unclear. There’s much more to learn here.”

Demographic variables were not found to impact the type of belief changes. The changes remained consistent over time, even when assessed an average of 8.4 years after the experience. The study revealed that most participants reported that their fundamental understanding of reality had been altered, and there was an increase in the number of participants who identified as “believers.”

The research team proposes three additional elements that may influence the direction of changes in beliefs: the cultural environment and expectations, the revelation of underlying cognitive prejudices, and experiential education through powerful personal experiences that promote non-physicalism. The significance of context and expectation in directing such changes in beliefs is crucial, particularly in managing unfavorable shifts in beliefs. The study highlights that pre-existing beliefs could influence belief changes induced by psychedelic substances, and further exploration is necessary in this field.

“The magnitude of belief changes is strongly associated with mystical experience ratings, which are assessed without reference to supernatural beliefs,” noted Roland Griffiths, the founding director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. “Major features of such experiences include a sense of connectedness, preciousness and validity. These features may account for changes in beliefs such as increases in a sense of purpose and meaning of life, and that the universe is conscious.”

The findings are in line with another study, which indicated that psychedelic drugs could alter a person’s core beliefs about the nature of reality, consciousness, and free will.

But the research team acknowledged some limitations to their new study. Firstly, the individuals who reported having psychedelic experiences resulting in a change of beliefs may not be a representative sample of typical psychedelic users. Moreover, most participants were from the United States, and the survey relied on retrospective self-reporting. Finally, the study was also advertised as a “psychedelic belief change survey,” which could have led to biased results favoring religious or spiritual beliefs.

Nayak and colleagues conclude that a solitary encounter with psychedelics can amplify convictions not based on the physical world, such as those relating to consciousness, meaning, and purpose. This work contributes to what is known about psychedelics and their potential for therapeutic use.

The study, “Belief changes associated with psychedelic use,” was authored by Sandeep M. Nayak, Manvir Singh, David B. Yaden, and Roland R. Griffiths.

ShareTweetSendScanShareSharePin1Send

STAY CONNECTED

TRENDING

Attachment anxiety strengthens the link between boredom proneness and compulsive sexual behavior

Toxoplasma gondii parasite infection linked to cognitive deterioration in schizophrenia

People are less satisfied with their marriage when their partner is not interested in social interactions, study finds

New research shows link between tropical vacations and improved mental health

Sleep effort mediates the relationship between anxiety and depression, study finds

Narcissism and mental health in relationships: Surprising results revealed in new psychology study

RECENT

Attachment anxiety strengthens the link between boredom proneness and compulsive sexual behavior

Those with Dark Triad traits are more likely to engage in manipulative behaviors when ending romantic relationships

A new psychology study has uncovered cultural differences in perceptions of heroes

Linguistic analysis of 177,296 Reddit comments sheds light on negative attitudes toward science

Are you a frequent apologizer? New research indicates you might actually reap downstream benefits

Pro-female and anti-male biases are more influential than race and other factors in Implicit Association Tests

Toxoplasma gondii parasite infection linked to cognitive deterioration in schizophrenia

New research shows link between tropical vacations and improved mental health

Currently Playing

Are you a frequent apologizer? New research indicates you might actually reap downstream benefits

Are you a frequent apologizer? New research indicates you might actually reap downstream benefits

Are you a frequent apologizer? New research indicates you might actually reap downstream benefits

Social Psychology
People with dark personality traits are better at finding novel ways to cause damage or harm others

People with dark personality traits are better at finding novel ways to cause damage or harm others

Dark Triad
Exercising in nature produces psychological benefits and measurable changes in brain activity

Exercising in nature produces psychological benefits and measurable changes in brain activity

Cognitive Science
People with social anxiety tend to engage in restrictive “safety behaviors” that make them less likable, study finds

People with social anxiety tend to engage in restrictive “safety behaviors” that make them less likable, study finds

Anxiety
Study helps untangle the complicated relationship between psychopathy and emotional awareness

Study helps untangle the complicated relationship between psychopathy and emotional awareness

Psychopathy
People exposed to phubbing by their romantic partner are less satisfied with their romantic relationship

People exposed to phubbing by their romantic partner are less satisfied with their romantic relationship

Relationships and Sexual Health
  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Drug Research
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Psychedelic Drugs
  • Dark Triad
  • Political Psychology

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Cognitive Science Research
  • Mental Health Research
  • Social Psychology Research
  • Drug Research
  • Relationship Research
  • About PsyPost
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.