The new study, published in the International Journal of Wellbeing, compared and discussed findings from three studies, which had been conducted online. Titled “Psychedelics and Psychological Strengths” the paper revealed that all three studies found that psychedelics users exhibit more positive psychological traits in more categories than previously thought, as well as fewer negative psychological traits. 

Study Finds Correlation Between Psychedelic Use and Positive Mental Health

The participants from across the three studies totalled 3,157. The researchers were keen to explore a wider range of traits beyond what has been measured in previous smaller, and less ambitious clinical studies. The researchers also secured their study by using controls for demographic variables. These included the participants’ usage of other psychoactive drugs, and their thoughts on the benefits of psychedelic drugs. 

The main revelations of the study were:

  • The participants who displayed the “most robustly adaptive psychological profile” were users of psychedelics who were also motivated to learn and grow. 
  • The link between psychedelic use and psychological strength could be attributed to the participants’ experience of self-transcendence caused by said psychedelics.  
  • Psychedelics users had meditated more in the course of their lives thus far. 
  • The frequency of psychedelic use correlated with more frequent meditation. 
  • Psychedelics users self-reported various strengths, showed less distress, and enhanced well-being compared to alcohol and cannabis users
Photo by Shubham Dhage on Unsplash

Reducing the Bias in Psychedelic Research

It is important to note, however, that more recent or ‘second generation’ psychedelic research results may be skewed towards the positive. This is due to the fact participants were recruited using psychedelic-positive social media campaigns. 

In an effort to reduce this bias, the researchers looked to recruit a more diverse group through social media and email, locating participants with different backgrounds and varied views on psychedelics. The survey itself, which was approved by an ethical review board, included questions about the user’s background and psychological traits. They utilized a correlational method to compare psychedelic users to non-psychedelic users, in order to see whether they could replicate the effects from previous research. 

Photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash

Psychedelics Increase Levels of Gratitude, Kindness and Other Positive Traits

Marcello Spinella, one of the lead researchers of the study, said (according to PsyPost) that they found a correlation between using psychedelics and higher levels of gratitude, mindfulness, kindness, self-transcendence and awe, as well as other positive psychological traits. They also found a correlation between psychedelic use and lower levels of negative traits such as hate, envy, and greed. 

Psychedelic use was associated with positive traits that contribute to overall well-being, while alcohol and cannabis use showed mixed associations with psychological traits. 

via Creative Commons

The Importance of Self-Transcendence

One of the key findings of the study was that the described psychological benefits of taking psychedelics can be attributed to self-transcendence. Self-transcendence is the feeling and experience of going beyond your usual sense of self, and undergoing a mythical sensation or a wider sense of connection. Basically, the mystical experiences generated under altered states of consciousness play a very important role when predicting the positive results of psychedelic use. 

To many who enjoy psychedelics, these findings might be a bit of a ‘yeah… duh’ moment, confirming what they already knew — psychedelics like magic mushrooms do tend to make life sweeter. However, it is important to lock down the official data that proves this long known wisdom, in order to continue to make the case to the powers-that-be that psychedelics are an essential tool for the future. This study adds to growing wealth of evidence that supports the case for psychedelic decriminalization and legislation. 

Interest in Psychedelic Spirituality is Growing

Today we are seeing an unprecedented amount of people taking an interest in spiritual transcendence and healing their mental states naturally. The more studies that are carried out that show psychedelics can help us to achieve this, the more push there will be to normalize and make accessible these essential tools. 

In the meantime, why not improve your sense of well-being and take a little shroom-trip?