Set & SettingPersonality & Trait Factors

Predicting responses to psychedelics: a prospective study

This longitudinal survey study (n=654 > 535 > 379 > 315 > 212, with increasing dropout) gathered data from individuals at five different time points before and after they undertook a preregistered psychedelic experience, and assessed variables related to personality traits, intentions, and the set and setting to predict the acute effects of taking the psychedelic, as well as long-term outcomes of subjective well-being. Baseline trait variables, such as absorption, strongly influenced long-term well-being. However, acute variables such as the intention and intensity of having mystical experiences also positively influenced well-being up to four weeks after the psychedelic experience.

Authors

  • Robin Carhart-Harris
  • David Nutt
  • Christopher Timmermann

Published

Frontiers in Pharmacology
individual Study

Abstract

Introduction

Responses to psychedelics are notoriously difficult to predict, yet significant work is currently underway to assess their therapeutic potential and the level of interest in psychedelics among the general public appears to be increasing. We aimed to collect prospective data in order to improve our ability to predict acute- and longer-term responses to psychedelics.

Methods

Individuals who planned to take a psychedelic through their own initiative participated in an online survey (www.psychedelicsurvey.com). Traits and variables relating to set, setting and the acute psychedelic experience were measured at five different time points before and after the experience. Principle component and regression methods were used to analyse the data. Sample sizes for the five time points were N = 654, N = 535, N = 379, N = 315, and N = 212 respectively.

Results

Psychological well-being was increased 2 weeks after a psychedelic experience and remained at this level after 4 weeks. Higher ratings of a “mystical-type experience” had a positive effect on the change in well-being after a psychedelic experience, whereas the other acute psychedelic experience measures, i.e., “challenging experience” and “visual effects”, did not influence the change in well-being after the psychedelic experience. Having “clear intentions” for the experience was conducive to mystical-type experiences. Having a positive “set” as well as having the experience with intentions related to “recreation” were both found to decrease the likelihood of having a challenging experience. The baseline trait “absorption” and higher drug doses promoted all aspects of the acute experience, i.e., mystical-type and challenging experiences, as well as visual effects. When comparing the relative contribution of different types of variables in explaining the variance in the change in well-being, it seemed those baseline trait variables had the strongest effect on the change in well-being after a psychedelic experience. These results confirm the importance of extra-pharmacological factors in determining responses to a psychedelic.

Discussion

We view this study as an early step towards the development of empirical guidelines that can evolve and improve iteratively with the ultimate purpose of guiding crucial clinical decisions about whether, when, where and how to dose with a psychedelic, thus helping to mitigate risks while maximizing potential benefits in an evidence-based manner.

Unlocked with Blossom Pro

Research Summary of 'Predicting responses to psychedelics: a prospective study'

Editorial

βBlossom's Take

This is a useful naturalistic cohort because it makes the usual set and setting claims testable over time. Baseline trait absorption, intentions and the intensity of mystical-type experience all relate to later well-being, but the dropout and self-selection also keep the findings properly scoped as predictors of outcome in people already choosing to use a psychedelic.

Introduction

Haijen and colleagues situate this study within the recent resurgence of clinical and experimental work on serotonergic psychedelics, noting that single-dose administrations (notably of psilocybin) have been reported to produce enduring improvements in psychological well-being and promising clinical effects across diverse disorders. They point out that, despite accumulating evidence of therapeutic potential, the ability to predict individual acute and longer-term responses to psychedelics remains limited. Prior work has linked acute ‘‘mystical’’ or ‘‘peak’’ experiences and trait absorption to favourable outcomes and identified some predictors of challenging experiences, but most existing studies are limited either to controlled settings (often with psilocybin only) or to prediction of acute effects rather than longer-term change. This paper therefore set out to collect prospective, naturalistic data to improve prediction of both the acute psychedelic experience and subsequent changes in psychological well-being. Using an online, longitudinal survey administered at five time points (1 week before, 1 day before, 1 day after, 2 weeks after and 4 weeks after a planned psychedelic experience), the investigators aimed to test two primary hypotheses: that subjective well-being (measured by the WEMWBS) would increase at 2 weeks post‑experience, and that features of the acute experience—particularly mystical-type experiences—would predict later changes in well-being. They also planned to examine the relative contributions of baseline trait variables, ‘‘set’’ and ‘‘setting’’ factors, intentions for the experience, and drug dose to acute and longer-term outcomes.

Methods

Haijen and colleagues used a prospective, opportunity-sampling design with web-based data collection. Inclusion criteria were age 18 or over, adequate English comprehension, and an intention to take a classic psychedelic in the near future (psilocybin/magic mushrooms/truffles, LSD/1P-LSD, ayahuasca, DMT/5‑MeO‑DMT, salvia divinorum, mescaline, or iboga/ibogaine). Participants registered on a bespoke website, provided informed consent, supplied a planned date for their experience, and received emails with unique identification links to complete five surveys timed to that date. The survey battery combined established instruments and a set of self-constructed items. Primary outcome was psychological well-being assessed by the 14-item Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). Baseline trait measures included the Ten‑Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) for the Big Five domains, a shortened modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (MODTAS; 25 items), the short Spielberger State‑Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI‑SF), the Short Suggestibility Scale (SSS) and a Stubborn Opinionatedness scale (SOP). Acute measures administered one day after the experience comprised the Altered States of Consciousness scale (OAV/11D‑ASC), from which a composite ‘‘visual effects’’ score was derived (elementary imagery, complex imagery, audio‑visual synaesthesia), the 30‑item Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), and the 30‑item Challenging Experience Questionnaire (CEQ). Doses were reported post‑hoc and converted into LSD-equivalent categories (low to extremely high). Several self-constructed items captured ‘‘set’’ (pre-state), aspects of the setting, and ten possible intentions for the experience (e.g. recreational, spiritual, therapeutic, to confront difficult emotions). Principal component analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation reduced set/setting items into three components named ‘‘set,’’ ‘‘setting,’’ and ‘‘clear intentions,’’ and the intentions into three components labelled ‘‘spiritual connection,’’ ‘‘recreation,’’ and ‘‘emotional.’’ Sample sizes at each time-point were N = 654, N = 535, N = 379, N = 315 and N = 212 respectively. Statistical approaches included repeated-measures GLM ANOVA for WEMWBS change, independent t‑tests for subgroup comparisons, linear mixed models (to handle missing data) with time as a repeated effect to model well‑being over time and interactions with predictors, and multivariate GLM regression to predict acute MEQ, CEQ and visual-effects scores from traits, set/setting and dose. All predictor variables were standardised and an alpha of 0.05 was used.

Results

Participant recruitment yielded progressively smaller samples across the five surveys: 654 at baseline down to 212 at the 4‑week follow‑up, with some participants reporting additional psychedelic experiences during follow‑up (88 at 2 weeks, a further 29 at 4 weeks). PCA of the 12 self-constructed set/setting items produced three components explaining 54.33% of variance: ‘‘set’’ (31.12%), ‘‘setting’’ (12.49%) and ‘‘clear intentions’’ (10.72%). PCA of the ten intention items also produced three components explaining 55.14% of variance: ‘‘spiritual connection’’ (26.88%), ‘‘recreation’’ (16.24%) and ‘‘emotional’’ (12.01%). Psychological well‑being (WEMWBS) increased at 2 weeks after the psychedelic experience and remained elevated at 4 weeks compared with baseline. In subsequent mixed-model analyses, a range of relationships were identified. Baseline trait absorption and higher reported drug dose were positively associated with all acute measures: MEQ (dose F(181)=16.07, p<0.001; absorption F(181)=21.11, p<0.001), CEQ (dose F(181)=8.03, p<0.006; absorption F(181)=6.82, p<0.020) and visual effects (dose F(181)=21.05, p<0.001; absorption F(181)=8.98, p<0.004). The multivariate models explained R² = 0.342 for MEQ, R² = 0.324 for CEQ and R² = 0.211 for visual effects. Predictors of mystical‑type (MEQ) scores included clear intentions (F(181)=6.30, p<0.020) and a trend for the spiritual‑connection intention (F(181)=3.75, p≈0.06). Challenging experiences (CEQ) were negatively predicted by the ‘‘set’’ component (F(181)=21.09, p<0.001) and by the ‘‘recreation’’ intention component (F(181)=7.72, p<0.007); the ‘‘setting’’ component showed a trend towards reducing CEQ scores (F(181)=3.33, p≈0.08). Clear intentions also positively predicted visual effects (F(181)=4.61, p<0.040). When modelling change in well‑being over time with a broad set of predictors, baseline trait variables emerged as particularly influential. Trait anxiety showed the strongest effect on well‑being change, evidenced by a significant time-by-trait‑anxiety interaction (F(172)=3.93, p<0.030); trait anxiety was negatively associated with baseline WEMWBS and with WEMWBS at 4 weeks but not at 2 weeks, suggesting transient attenuation of its negative association at 2 weeks. Number of lifetime psychedelic uses interacted with time (F(106)=6.11, p<0.004): more lifetime uses were negatively associated with WEMWBS at 2 and 4 weeks (t(136)=-3.29, p<0.002; t(96)=-2.61, p<0.020), indicating smaller well‑being gains in more experienced users. Individuals self‑rating as ‘‘highly experienced psychedelic users’’ had higher WEMWBS scores overall at baseline and follow‑ups. Baseline openness predicted baseline and 2‑week WEMWBS; emotional stability, clear intentions and visual effects correlated with baseline WEMWBS but did not predict change. The ‘‘setting’’ component was positively associated with WEMWBS at 2 weeks (t(139)=2.11, p<0.040) with a trend at 4 weeks. Finally, being in a self‑reported therapeutic environment did not show consistent effects on acute experience measures in these analyses.

Discussion

Haijen and colleagues interpret their findings as supporting the importance of both extra‑pharmacological factors (set, setting and intentions) and stable baseline traits in shaping psychedelic responses. They highlight three central conclusions: first, psychological well‑being increased at 2 weeks and remained elevated at 4 weeks after a naturalistic psychedelic experience; second, mystical‑ or peak‑type acute experiences were positively associated with later increases in well‑being, whereas challenging experiences were associated with lower well‑being across time; third, in a more comprehensive model that included traits, set/setting, intentions, dose and acute measures, baseline trait variables—particularly trait anxiety and number of lifetime uses—explained the largest proportion of variance in well‑being change. The authors position these results alongside prior literature showing a link between mystical/peak experiences and positive longer‑term outcomes and prior reports implicating absorption and dose in intensifying psychedelic effects. They note that mystical‑type and challenging experiences are not mutually exclusive and that existing instruments may not capture whether challenging periods were ultimately resolved into therapeutic breakthroughs; they therefore advocate development of measures sensitive to ‘‘breakthrough’’ or cathartic outcomes. Haijen and colleagues also discuss the therapeutic relevance of preparing participants to have clear intentions and a positive pre‑state, and of ensuring a comfortable setting, because these factors predicted more favourable acute profiles (more mystical‑type, fewer challenging experiences). The authors acknowledge multiple limitations inherent to the web‑based observational design: reliance on self‑reported timing and dose (dose estimates were collected after the experience and may be biased by subjective intensity), uncertain compliance with scheduled surveys, sample attrition across time-points, and likely selection bias towards individuals motivated and positively disposed to psychedelic use. They also note the limited operationalisation of ‘‘therapeutic setting’’ in their items and the broader debates about the construct validity of ‘‘well‑being’’ as an outcome. For future work, they recommend refining measurements of setting, developing an ‘‘emotional breakthrough’’ questionnaire, recruiting more heterogeneous samples (to examine cultural, religious or superstitious moderators), and pursuing controlled studies to further test and refine predictive models. Ultimately, the investigators propose that iterative, empirically derived guidelines could help inform clinical decisions about whether, when, where and how to dose with psychedelics, with the aim of reducing risks and maximising benefit.

Conclusion

The authors conclude that, in this large prospective naturalistic sample, baseline trait variables were the most potent predictors of change in psychological well‑being after a psychedelic experience. Mystical‑type (peak) acute experiences were positively related to well‑being change, while challenging experiences showed a general negative association. Clear intentions and feeling prepared (positive ‘‘set’’), together with intentions related to spiritual connection or recreation, were conducive to peak experiences and protective against challenging experiences. Higher trait absorption and larger reported doses intensified acute experiences and increased the likelihood of both mystical and challenging elements. The authors emphasise that much variance remains unexplained and call for further controlled and prospective research to refine prediction models and to develop empirically grounded guidelines for clinical use.

View full paper sections

RESULTS

A principle component analysis was done to the set and setting items that were self-constructed (see Table) and for the 10 different intentions to have a psychedelic experience (see Table). This was done to reduce dimensionality and to find a general structure underlying these overlapping items, which could then be used in the subsequent analyses. Both principle component analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 24, using the principle component method and an orthogonal rotation (Varimax). The appropriate number of factors was determined after investigating Cattell's scree plot and by the cut-off of eigenvalues larger than one. A GLM repeated measures ANOVA was performed to evaluate the changes in well-being scores. WEMWBS scores were included as dependent variable with time as within-subject effect. The following variables were included as covariates to control for confounding effects on well-being scores: age, sex, employment status, educational level, number of lifetime uses of a psychedelic, multiple psychedelic experiences during their enrolment in the study, and four items asking about the individual's relationship with psychedelic drugs: "I am an active advocate of psychedelic drug use," I am an active advocate of the therapeutic use of psychedelics," I have an advanced knowledge about psychedelics," and "I am a highly experienced psychedelic drug user." Only the covariates that showed a significant effect will be included in the further analyses. To further investigate the changes in well-being, independent t-tests have been performed to compare mean values for the following variables between those who decreased in wellbeing compared to those who did not show any change, or increased in well-being: baseline WEMWBS score, the personality traits openness to experience (TIPI), emotional stability (TIPI), absorption (MODTAS), suggestibility (SSS), stubbornness (SOP), trait anxiety (STAI), the three components underlying intentions: "spiritual connection, " "recreation" and "emotional, " the three components underlying set and setting: "set, " "setting," and "clear intentions, " drug dose, the variable being in a therapeutic environment, the total scores of the MEQ and CEQ and the visual effects score, based on the elementary imagery, complex imagery and audio-visual synaesthesia subscales of the OAV. To examine relationships between variables of interest, linear mixed models were used in the MIXED procedure of IBM SPSS Statistics version 24. A mixed model analysis was chosen because of its ability to handle missing data and use all existing data. The model following from our hypothesis included the WEMWBS as the dependent variable and time as a repeated effect, with an unstructured covariance structure. This model contained in the fixed part: time, number of lifetime uses of a psychedelic, the item "I am a highly experienced psychedelic drug user", MEQ, CEQ, visual effects, and all two-way interaction terms between time and the variables: number of lifetime uses of a psychedelic, the item "I am a highly experienced psychedelic drug user", MEQ, CEQ, and visual effects. The next model was included to assess what type of variable (i.e., traits, set and setting, intentions, drug dose, or acute psychedelic measures) was most influential in predicting well-being changes. The model included the WEMWBS as the dependent variable and time as a repeated effect, with an unstructured covariance structure. This model contained in the fixed part: time, number of lifetime uses of a psychedelic, the item "I am a highly experienced psychedelic drug user," the personality traits openness to experience (TIPI), emotional stability (TIPI), absorption (MODTAS), suggestibility (SSS), stubbornness (SOP), trait anxiety (STAI), the three components underlying intentions: "spiritual connection, " "recreation," and "emotional, " the three components underlying set and setting: "set, " "setting," and "clear intentions, " drug dose, the variable being in a therapeutic environment, the total scores of the MEQ and CEQ, visual effects, and all two-way interaction terms between time and the variables described above. Next, a GLM multivariate linear regression model was used to evaluate what variables were able to predict measures related to the acute psychedelic experience. The total scores of the MEQ, CEQ and visual effects were used as dependent variables. Included as independent variables were: number of lifetime uses of a psychedelic, the item "I am a highly experienced psychedelic drug user," the personality traits openness to experience (TIPI), emotional stability (TIPI), absorption (MODTAS), suggestibility (SSS), stubbornness (SOP), trait anxiety (STAI), the three components underlying intentions: "spiritual connection, " "recreation," and "emotional, " the three components underlying set and setting: "set, " "setting," and "clear intentions, " drug dose, and the variable being in a therapeutic environment. Tests for multicollinearity between variables have been done before running the analyses. All variables were standardized before being entered into the analyses. Lastly, for all statistical tests, an alpha of 0.050 was used.

CONCLUSION

The present study used an entirely novel approach to address the important question of how best to predict both acute and longer-term responses to psychedelic compounds. Its primary aim was to test for changes in subjective well-being and then test predictive models of such changes. As hypothesized, wellbeing was found to be increased 2 weeks after a psychedelic experience and remained increased at 4 weeks. This finding is in line with those of several previous studies, some of which observed improvements in well-being after a single administration of a psychedelic that persisted for over one year. Comparing the well-being scores found in the current study to normative WEMWBS data showed that the current sample had baseline well-being scores that were slightly lower than the general population.However, 2 weeks after the psychedelic experience, the mean well-being score became slightly higher than that for the general population. At 4 weeks after the experience, the mean wellbeing score was still higher compared to the normative data, although this difference was not significant. Thus, the principle that psychedelics generally enhance psychological well-being, even in already healthy individuals, appears to be supported by the present study's data. In the current study, we compared individuals showing no change or an increase in well-being to those decreasing in wellbeing after a psychedelic experience. The only difference found included lower baseline well-being scores in the subsample that showed increases in well-being. This could mean that there was more scope for change after a psychedelic experience in these individuals compared to those who decreased and had a higher baseline level of well-being to begin with. To elaborate on this, we found a modest correlation between the number of lifetime uses of a psychedelic and baseline well-being scores [r (654) = 0.21, p < 0.001], meaning that those who used psychedelics more often in the past had a higher level of well-being at baseline (see the Supplementary Material for a correlation matrix of the variables of interest described in this study). This positive association between psychedelic use and psychological well-being is supported by a large-scale population study in which suicidality and psychological distress were both lower in psychedelic "users" vs. matched non-users. These findings reinforce the view that psychedelics are an anomaly among drugs of potential misuse, as, with appropriate caveats regarding context of use, use of psychedelics appears to be positively rather than negatively associated with mental health. Further, a negative correlation between the number of lifetime uses of a psychedelic and change in well-being scores [r (279) = -0.23, p < 0.001] was found, meaning that those who had more experience with psychedelics in the past showed less improvement in well-being after the psychedelic experience, which is in line with the finding that these individuals had higher well-being scores at baseline.

Full Text PDF

Full Paper PDF

Create a free account to open full-text PDFs.

References (53)

Papers cited by this study that are also in Blossom

The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms

Barrett, F. S., Bradstreet, M. P., Leoutsakos, J. M. S. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2016)

359 cited
Validation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire in experimental sessions with psilocybin

Barrett, F. S., Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2015)

623 cited
Neuroticism is associated with challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms

Barrett, F. S., Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R. · Personality and Individual Differences (2017)

95 cited
Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: a proof-of-concept study

Bogenschutz, M. P., Forcehimes, A. A., Pommy, J. A. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2015)

1150 cited
Classic hallucinogens in the treatment of addictions

Bogenschutz, M. P., Johnson, M. W. · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry (2016)

225 cited
Survey study of challenging experiences after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms: Acute and enduring positive and negative consequences

Carbonaro, T. M., Bradstreet, M. P., Barrett, F. S. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2016)

538 cited
Psychedelics and connectedness

Carhart-Harris, R. L., Erritzoe, D., Haijen, E. C. H. M. et al. · Psychopharmacology (2017)

266 cited
The therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs: past, present, and future

Carhart-Harris, R. L., Goodwin, G. M. · Neuropsychopharmacology (2017)

669 cited
Show all 53 references
The paradoxical psychological effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

Carhart-Harris, R. L., Kaelen, M., Bolstridge, M. et al. · Psychological Medicine (2016)

299 cited
Implications for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: functional magnetic resonance imaging study with psilocybin

Carhart-Harris, R. L., Leech, R., Williams, T. M. et al. · British Journal of Psychiatry (2018)

239 cited
Psychedelics and the essential importance of context

Carhart-Harris, R. L., Roseman, L., Haijen, E. C. H. M. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2018)

634 cited
56 cited
Effects of psilocybin therapy on personality structure

Erritzoe, D., Roseman, L., Nour, M. R. et al. · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica (2018)

265 cited
Psilocybin-occasioned mystical experiences in the treatment of tobacco addiction

Garcia-Romeu, A., Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W. · Current Drug Abuse Reviews (2015)

478 cited
2144 cited
Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects

Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W., Richards, W. A. et al. · Psychopharmacology (2011)

934 cited
Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance

Griffiths, R. R., Richards, W. A., Mccann, U. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2006)

1671 cited
Constructing drug effects: a history of set and setting

Hartogsohn, I. · Drug Science Policy and Law (2017)

452 cited
The relationships of classic psychedelic use with criminal behavior in the United States adult population

Hendricks, P. S., Crawford, M. S., Cropsey, K. L. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2017)

89 cited
Classic psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States adult population

Hendricks, P. S., Thorne, C. B., Clark, B. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2015)

376 cited
An online survey of tobacco smoking cessation associated with naturalistic psychedelic use

Johnson, M. W., Garcia-Romeu, A., Johnson, P. S. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2017)

128 cited
Potential Therapeutic Effects of Psilocybin

Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R. · Neurotherapeutics (2017)

299 cited
Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety

Johnson, M. W., Richards, W. A., Griffiths, R. R. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2008)

1173 cited
LSD enhances the emotional response to music

Kaelen, M., Barrett, F. S., Roseman, L. et al. · Psychopharmacology (2015)

155 cited
The hidden therapist: evidence for a central role of music in psychedelic therapy

Kaelen, M., Giribaldi, B., Raine, J. et al. · Psychopharmacology (2018)

270 cited
Effects of LSD on music-evoked brain activity

Kaelen, M., Lorenz, R., Barrett, F. S. et al. · Biorxiv (2017)

20 cited
LSD modulates music-induced imagery via changes in parahippocampal connectivity

Kaelen, M., Roseman, L., Kahan, J. et al. · European Neuropsychopharmacology (2016)

141 cited
Psychedelics and mental health: a population study

Krebs, T. S., Johansen, P. ˚. Ø. · PLOS ONE (2013)

335 cited
Psychedelic drug assisted psychotherapy in patients with terminal cancer

Goodman, L. E., Grof, S., Kurland, A. A. et al. · Journal of Death and Dying (1972)

Reactions to psilocybin administered in a supportive environment

Leary, T., Litwin, G. H., Metzner, R. · Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease (1977)

244 cited
LSD-induced entropic brain activity predicts subsequent personality change

Lebedev, A. V., Kaelen, M., L€ Ovd En, M. et al. · Human Brain Mapping (2016)

331 cited
Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness

Maclean, K. A., Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2011)

904 cited
Factor analysis of the mystical experience questionnaire: A study of experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin

MacLean, K. A., Leoutsakos, J. S., Johnson, M. W. et al. · Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (2012)

411 cited
Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA

Grob, C. S., Mithoefer, M. C., Brewerton, T. D. · Lancet Psychiatry (2016)

236 cited
Psychedelics as Medicines: An Emerging New Paradigm

Nichols, C. D., Nichols, D. E., Johnson, M. W. · Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (2016)

362 cited
Ego-dissolution and psychedelics: validation of the ego-dissolution inventory (EDI)

Nour, M. R., Evans, J., Nutt, D. J. et al. · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (2016)

475 cited
146 cited
The fabric of meaning and subjective effects in LSD-induced states depend on serotonin 2A receptor activation

Preller, K. H., Herdener, M., Pokorny, T. et al. · Current Biology (2017)

399 cited
The peak experience variable in DPT-assisted psychotherapy with cancer patients

Richards, W. A., Rhead, J. C., Dileo, F. B. et al. · Journal of Psychedelic Drugs (1997)

95 cited
Quality of acute psychedelic experience predicts therapeutic efficacy of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression

Roseman, L., Nutt, D. J., Carhart-Harris, R. L. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2018)

805 cited
Acute effects of lysergic acid diethylamide in healthy subjects

Schmid, Y., Enzler, F., Gasser, P. et al. · Biological Psychiatry (2015)

424 cited
Long-lasting subjective effects of LSD in normal subjects

Schmid, Y., Liechti, M. E. · Psychopharmacology (2017)

231 cited
Prediction of psilocybin response in healthy volunteers

Studerus, E., Gamma, A., Kometer, M. et al. · PLOS ONE (2012)

370 cited
Psychometric evaluation of the altered states of consciousness rating scale (OAV)

Studerus, E., Gamma, A., Vollenweider, F. X. · PLOS ONE (2010)

685 cited
Acute, subacute and long-term subjective effects of psilocybin in healthy humans: a pooled analysis of experimental studies

Studerus, E., Kometer, M., Hasler, F. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2010)

528 cited

Cited By (159)

Papers in Blossom that reference this study

Personalised Perception: The Effect of Personality on the Sensory Effects of Psychedelics

Boardman, A., Whelan, J., Ward, R. D. · Drug and Alcohol Review (2026)

Effects of psychedelic use on authoritarian attitudes revisited

Simonsson, O., Lyons, T., Marks, J. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2026)

Trip killers: Addressing a critical knowledge gap in psychedelic research

O’Mahony, B., Harrington, C., Harkin, A. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2026)

Naturalistic psychedelic use and changes in depressive symptoms

Simonsson, O., Hendricks, P. S., Swords, C. M. et al. · Journal of Affective Disorders (2025)

8 cited
Psilocybin with psychotherapeutic support for treatment-resistant depression: a pilot clinical trial

Meikle, S., Carter, O., Liknaitzky, P. et al. · Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology (2025)

1 cited
The effects of psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram on cognitive bias: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Henry, J., Giribaldi, B., Nutt, D. J. et al. · European Neuropsychopharmacology (2025)

1 cited
Acute effects of psilocybin on the dynamics of gaze fixations during visual aesthetic perception

Muller, S., Cavanna, F., de la Fuente, L. A. et al. · Scientific Reports (2025)

2 cited
Examining mystical experiences as a predictor of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression

Brudner, R. M., Kaczmarek, E., Blainey, M. G. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2025)

3 cited
Show all 159 papers
Safety, tolerability and subjective effects of vaporized N,N-Dimethyltryptamine: A randomized double-blind clinical trial

Wießner, I., Falchi-Carvalho, M., Laborde, S. et al. · European Neuropsychopharmacology (2025)

6 cited
Enhanced meaning in life following psychedelic use: converging evidence from controlled and naturalistic studies

Roseby, W., Kettner, H., Roseman, L. et al. · Frontiers in Psychology (2025)

5 cited
On Minimizing Risk and Harm in the Use of Psychedelic

Evans, J., Aixalà, M., Anderson, B. T. et al. · Psychiatric Research & Clinical Practice (2025)

17 cited
Acute Effects and Pharmacokinetics of LSD after Paroxetine or Placebo Pre-Administration in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Cross-Over Phase I Trial

Becker, A. M., Humbert-Droz, M., Mueller, L. et al. · Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (2025)

15 cited
Single-dose psilocybin therapy for alcohol use disorder: Pharmacokinetics, feasibility, safety and efficacy in an open-label study

Fink-Jensen, A., Jensen, M. E., Stenbæk, D. S. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2025)

10 cited
Shame, guilt and psychedelic experience: Results from a prospective, longitudinal survey of real-world psilocybin use

Mathai, D. S., Roberts, D. E., Nayak, S. M. et al. · Journal of Psychedelic Drugs (2025)

9 cited
From relaxed beliefs under psychedelics (REBUS) to revised beliefs after psychedelics (REBAS)

Zeifman, R. J., Spriggs, M. J., Kettner, H. et al. · Scientific Reports (2025)

24 cited
4 cited
Compass Psychological Support Model for COMP360 Psilocybin Treatment of Serious Mental Health Conditions

Kirlic, N., Lennard-Jones, M., Atli, M. et al. · American Journal of Psychiatry (2025)

25 cited
Naturalistic psychedelic therapy: The role of relaxation and subjective drug effects in antidepressant response

Calder, A. E., Rausch, B., Liechti, M. E. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2024)

16 cited
Pharmacological and non-pharmacological predictors of the LSD experience in healthy participants

Vizeli, P., Studerus, E., Holze, F. et al. · Translational Psychiatry (2024)

15 cited
Clinically relevant acute subjective effects of psychedelics beyond mystical experience

Yaden, D. B., Goldy, S. P., Weiss, B. et al. · Nature Reviews Psychology (2024)

54 cited
Effects of psychedelics in older adults: A prospective cohort study

Kettner, H., Roseman, L., Gazzaley, A. et al. · The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (2024)

17 cited
Inter-individual variability in neural response to low doses of LSD

Hutten, N. R. P. W., Quaedflieg, C. W. E. M., Mason, N. L. et al. · Translational Psychiatry (2024)

14 cited
Personality traits explain the relationship between psychedelic use and less depression in a comparative study

Sjöström, D. K., Claesdotter-Knutsson, E., Kajonius, P. J. · Scientific Reports (2024)

16 cited
The Effect of Psychedelics on Individuals with a Personality Disorder: Results from two Prospective Cohort Studies

Gordon, A. R., Carrithers, B. M., Pagni, B. A. et al. · Research Square (2024)

3 cited
Childhood trauma, challenging experiences, and posttraumatic growth in ayahuasca use

Cassidy, K., Healy, C. J., Henje, E. et al. · Drug Science Policy and Law (2024)

10 cited
Psychiatric risks for worsened mental health after psychedelic use

Marrocu, A., Kettner, H., Weiss, B. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2024)

49 cited
Subjective long-term emotional and social effects of recreational MDMA use: the role of setting and intentions

Elmer, T., Vannoy, T. K., Studerus, E. et al. · Scientific Reports (2024)

12 cited
What Predicts Beneficial Outcomes in Psychedelic Use? A Quantitative Content Analysis of Psychedelic Health Outcomes

Acevedo, E. C., Uhler, S., White, K. et al. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2024)

15 cited
Effects of DMT on mental health outcomes in healthy volunteers

Timmermann, C., Zeifman, R. J., Erritzoe, D. et al. · Scientific Reports (2024)

35 cited
Psychedelics and sexual functioning: a mixed-methods study

Barba, T., Kettne, H., Radu, C. et al. · Scientific Reports (2024)

23 cited
Patient perspectives and experiences with psilocybin treatment for treatment-resistant depression: a qualitative study

Breeksema, J. J., Niemeijer, A. R., Krediet, E. et al. · Scientific Reports (2024)

44 cited
Assessing expectancy and suggestibility in a trial of escitalopram v. psilocybin for depression

Szigeti, B., Weiss, B., Rosas, F. E. et al. · Psychological Medicine (2024)

70 cited
Preliminary evidence for the importance of therapeutic alliance in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder

Zeifman, R. J., Kettner, H., Ross, S. et al. · European Journal of Psychotraumatology (2024)

31 cited
Set and setting predict psychopathology, wellbeing and meaningfulness of psychedelic experiences: a correlational study

Borkel, L. F., Rojas-Hernández, J., Henríquez-Hernández, L. A. et al. · Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology (2023)

37 cited
Perceptions of psychedelic personality change, determinants of use, setting and drug moderation: Toward a holistic model

Weiss, B., Sleep, C., Beller, N. et al. · Journal of Psychedelic Studies (2023)

11 cited
Epidemiology of classic psychedelic substances: results from a Norwegian internet convenience sample

Kvam, T-M., Uthaug, M. V., Andersen, K. A. A. et al. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2023)

21 cited
Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Haikazian, S., Chen-Li, D., Johnson, D. et al. · Psychiatry Research (2023)

112 cited
26 cited
Case analysis of long-term negative psychological responses to psychedelics

Bremler, R., Katati, N., Shergill, P. et al. · Scientific Reports (2023)

100 cited
Nature-themed video intervention may improve cardiovascular safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder

Heinzerling, K. G., Sergi, K., Linton, M. et al. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2023)

21 cited
Predictors of psychedelic treatment outcomes among special operations forces veterans

Xin, Y., Armstrong, S. B., Averill, L. A. et al. · Psychology of Consciousness Theory Research and Practice (2023)

9 cited
Co-use of MDMA with psilocybin/LSD may buffer against challenging experiences and enhance positive experiences

Zeifman, R. J., Kettner, H., Pagni, B. A. et al. · Scientific Reports (2023)

30 cited
Improvement in OCD symptoms associated with serotoninergic psychedelics: a retrospective online survey

Buot, A., Pallares, C., Oganesyan, A. et al. · Scientific Reports (2023)

28 cited
The Relationship Between Naturalistic Psychedelic Use and Clinical Care in Canada

Glynos, N., Kruger, D. J., Kolbman, N. et al. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2023)

10 cited
Harnessing placebo: Lessons from psychedelic science

Pronovost-Morgan, C., Hartogsohn, I., Ramaekers, J. G. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2023)

30 cited
Impact of a Naturalistic Psychedelic Experience on Smoking: A Retrospective Survey

Romeo, B., Fauvel, B., Verroust, V. et al. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2023)

14 cited
Personality change in a trial of psilocybin therapy v. escitalopram treatment for depression

Weiss, B., Ginige, I., Shannon, L. et al. · Psychological Medicine (2023)

38 cited
Transpersonal Ecodelia: Surveying Psychedelically Induced Biophilia

Luke, D., Gandy, S., Irvine, A. et al. · Psychoactives (2023)

20 cited
Dose-response relationships of LSD-induced subjective experiences in humans

Prugger, J., Hirschfeld, T., Majic, T. et al. · Neuropsychopharmacology (2023)

23 cited
Dosing and Therapeutic Conduct in Administration Sessions in Substance-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Systematized Review

Thal, S. B., Wieberneit, M., Sharbanee, J. M. et al. · Journal of Humanistic Psychology (2023)

6 cited
Prevalence and associations of challenging, difficult or distressing experiences using classic psychedelics

Simonsson, O., Hendricks, P. S., Chambers, R. et al. · Journal of Affective Disorders (2023)

124 cited
15 cited
49 cited
Investigation of self-treatment with lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin mushrooms: Findings from the Global Drug Survey 2020

Kopra, E., Ferris, J. A., Winstock, A. R. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2023)

60 cited
Psychedelics and psychological strengths

Brasher, T., Rosen, D., Spinella, M. · International Journal of Wellbeing (2023)

9 cited
1 cited
142 cited
Optimizing outcomes in psilocybin therapy: Considerations in participant evaluation and preparation

Modlin, N. L., Miller, T. M., Rucker, J. J. et al. · Journal of Affective Disorders (2023)

27 cited
Among psychedelic-experienced users, only past use of psilocybin reliably predicts nature relatedness

Forstmann, M., Kettner, H. S., Sagioglou, C. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2023)

18 cited
Body mass index (BMI) does not predict responses to psilocybin

Giribaldi, B., Lyons, T., Rosas, F. E. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2022)

15 cited
Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: A World Apart from Clinical Care

Glynos, N., Fields, C. W., Barron, J. et al. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2022)

41 cited
155 cited
Antidepressant effects of a psychedelic experience in a large prospective naturalistic sample

Nygart, V., Pommerencke, L. M., Haijen, E. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2022)

73 cited
Microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms: a double-blind placebo-controlled study

Cavanna, F., Muller, S., de la Fuente, L. A. et al. · Translational Psychiatry (2022)

127 cited
27 cited
25 cited
Opening to Awe: Psychedelic-Assisted Self-Transcendence and Positive Adult Development

Arnaud, K. O. S., Sharpe. D. · Journal of Adult Development (2022)

12 cited
The Psychedelic Integration Scales: Tools for Measuring Psychedelic Integration Behaviors and Experiences

Whitney, S., Yaden, D. B., Lipson, J. et al. · Frontiers in Psychology (2022)

25 cited
Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of magic mushrooms

Kopra, E., Ferris, J. A., Winstock, A. R. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2022)

63 cited
Therapeutic Alliance and Rapport Modulate Responses to Psilocybin Assisted Therapy for Depression

Murphy, R., Murphy-Beiner, A., Kettner, H. et al. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2022)

222 cited
Predictors and potentiators of psychedelic-occasioned mystical experiences

Gandy, S. · Journal of Psychedelic Studies (2022)

18 cited
Psychedelic Cognition-The Unreached Frontier of Psychedelic Science

Balaet, M. · Frontiers in Neuroscience (2022)

27 cited
Virtual Reality as a Moderator of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

Sekula, A. D., Downey, L., Puspanathan, P. · Frontiers in Psychology (2022)

26 cited
Effects of Setting on Psychedelic Experiences, Therapies, and Outcomes: A Rapid Scoping Review of the Literature

Golden, T. L., Magsamen, S., Sandu, C. C. et al. · Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences (2022)

86 cited
Classic Psychedelic Drugs: Update on Biological Mechanisms

Vollenweider, F. X., Smallridge, J. W. · Pharmacopsychiatry (2022)

104 cited
Validation of the Psychological Insight Scale: A new scale to assess psychological insight following a psychedelic experience

Peill, J. M., Trinci, K. E., Kettner, H. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2022)

134 cited
Psychedelic Therapy's Transdiagnostic Effects: A Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Perspective

Dursun, S. M., Kelly, J. R., Gillan, C. M. et al. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2021)

63 cited
Great Expectations: Recommendations for improving the methodological rigor of psychedelic clinical trials

Aday, J. S., Heifets, B. D., Pratscher, S. D. et al. · Psychopharmacology (2021)

20 cited
46 cited
Psychedelic experience dose-dependently modulated by cannabis: results of a prospective online survey

Kuc, J., Kettner, H., Rosas, F. E. et al. · Psychopharmacology (2021)

37 cited
Sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on mental health and well-being in healthy ceremony attendants: A replication study

van Oorsouw, K., Uthaug, M. V., Mason, N. L. et al. · Journal of Psychedelic Studies (2021)

17 cited
Persisting effects of ayahuasca on empathy, creative thinking, decentering, personality, and well-being

Kiraga, M. K., Mason, N. L., Uthaug, M. V. et al. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2021)

83 cited
Psychedelics, sociality, and human evolution

Rodríguez Arce, J. M., Winkelman, M. J. · Frontiers in Psychology (2021)

78 cited
Critical Period Plasticity as a Framework for Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

Yehuda, R., Lepow, L., Morishita, H. · Frontiers in Neuroscience (2021)

70 cited
Prefrontal contributions to the stability and variability of thought and conscious experience

Zamani, A., Carhart-Harris, R. L., Christoff, K. · Neuropsychopharmacology (2021)

50 cited
Turn on, Tune in, and Drop out: Predictors of Attrition in a Prospective Observational Cohort Study on Psychedelic Use

Hübner, S., Haijen, E. C. H. M., Kaelen, M. et al. · Journal of Medical Internet Research (2021)

23 cited
Does psychedelic therapy have a transdiagnostic action and prophylactic potential?

Kočárová, C., Horacek, J., Carhart-Harris, R. L. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2021)

94 cited
Trips and Neurotransmitters: Discovering Principled Patterns across 6,850 Hallucinogenic Experiences

Ballentine, G., Friedman, S. F., Bzdok, D. · Science Advances (2021)

44 cited
Research abuses against people of colour and other vulnerable groups in early psychedelic research

Strauss, D., de la Salle, S., Sloshower, J. A. et al. · Journal of Medical Ethics (2021)

70 cited
Psychedelics alter metaphysical beliefs

Timmermann, C., Kettner, H., Letheby, C. et al. · Scientific Reports (2021)

35 cited
1 cited
Ceremonial Ayahuasca in Amazonian Retreats-Mental Health and Epigenetic Outcomes From a Six-Month Naturalistic Study

Ruffell, S. G. D., Netzband, N., Tsang, W. et al. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2021)

72 cited
Set and Setting in the Santo Daime

Hartogsohn, I. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2021)

48 cited
Can pragmatic research, real-world data and digital technologies aid the development of psychedelic medicine?

Carhart-Harris, R. L., Wagner, A. C., Agrawal, M. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2021)

53 cited
Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy

Pilecki, B., Luoma, J. B., Bathje, G. J. et al. · Harm Reduction Journal (2021)

133 cited
A qualitative and quantitative account of patient’s experiences of ketamine and its antidepressant properties

Sumner, R. L., Chacko, E., Mcmillan, R. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2021)

65 cited
Prediction of MDMA response in healthy humans: a pooled analysis of placebo-controlled studies

Studerus, E., Vizeli, P., Harder, S. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2021)

51 cited
LSD and ketanserin and their impact on the human autonomic nervous system

Olbrich, S., Preller, K. H., Vollenweider, F. X. · Psychophysiology (2021)

33 cited
Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice

Palhano-Fontes, F., Gorman, I., Nielson, E. M. et al. · Frontiers in Psychology (2021)

136 cited
Baseline power of theta oscillations predicts mystical-type experiences induced by DMT in a natural setting

Tagliazucchi, E., Zamberlan, F., Cavanna, F. et al. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2021)

3 cited
116 cited
Predicting Reactions to Psychedelic Drugs: A Systematic Review of States and Traits Related to Acute Drug Effects

Aday, J. S., Davis, A. K., Mitzkovitz, C. M. et al. · ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science (2021)

224 cited
Dose-response relationships of psilocybin-induced subjective experiences in humans

Hirschfeld, T., Schmidt, T. T. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2021)

90 cited
Neural and subjective effects of inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine in natural settings

Pallavicini, C., Cavanna, F., Zamberlan, F. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2021)

70 cited
Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing

Kaertner, L. S., Steinborn, M. B., Kettner, H. et al. · Scientific Reports (2021)

152 cited
Development of the Psychological Insight Questionnaire among a sample of people who have consumed psilocybin or LSD

Davis, A. K., Streeter Barrett, F., Griffiths, R. R. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2021)

165 cited
The History of Psychedelics in Psychiatry

Nichols, D. E., Walter, H. · Pharmacopsychiatry (2020)

128 cited
The potential synergistic effects between psychedelic administration and nature contact for the improvement of mental health

Gandy, S., Forstmann, M., Carhart-Harris, R. L. et al. · Health Psychology Open (2020)

63 cited
Pivotal Mental States

Brouwer, A., Carhart-Harris, R. L. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2020)

145 cited
Therapeutic effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics: A systematic review of modern-era clinical studies

Andersen, K. A. A., Carhart-Harris, R. L., Nutt, D. J. et al. · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica (2020)

345 cited
Positive effects of psychedelics on depression and wellbeing scores in individuals reporting an eating disorder

Spriggs, M. J., Kettner, •. H., Carhart-Harris, •. R. L. · Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia Bulimia and Obesity (2020)

106 cited
102 cited
Mystical Experiences in Retrospective Reports of First Times Using a Psychedelic in Finland

Kangaslampi, S., Hausen, A., Rauteenmaa, T. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2020)

30 cited
12 cited
Integrating psychotherapy and psychopharmacology: psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and other combined treatments

Greenway, K. T., Garel, N., Jerome, L. et al. · Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology (2020)

85 cited
Compassionate use of psychedelics

Greif, A., Šurkala, M. · Medicine Health Care and Philosophy (2020)

25 cited
Learning to Let Go: A Cognitive-Behavioral Model of How Psychedelic Therapy Promotes Acceptance

Wolff, M., Evens, R., Mertens, L. J. et al. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2020)

184 cited
Acute effects of psilocybin on glutamate concentration levels, functional connectivity and subjective state

Mason, N. L., Feilding, A., Ramaekers, J. G. · European Neuropsychopharmacology (2020)

Reported effects of psychedelic use on those with low well-being given various emotional contexts

Mason, N. L., Dolder, P. C., Kuypers, K. P. C. · Drug Science Policy and Law (2020)

15 cited
Therapeutic Use of LSD in Psychiatry: A Systematic Review of Randomized-Controlled Clinical Trials

Fuentes, J. J., Fonseca, F., Elices, M. et al. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2020)

172 cited
141 cited
From Egoism to Ecoism: Psychedelics Increase Nature Relatedness in a State-Mediated and Context-Dependent Manner

Kettner, H., Gandy, S., Haijen, E. C. H. M. et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2019)

157 cited
Emotional breakthrough and psychedelics: validation of the emotional breakthrough inventory

Roseman, L., Haijen, E. C. H. M., Idialu-Ikato, K. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2019)

403 cited
REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics

Carhart-Harris, R. L., Friston, K. J. · Pharmacological Reviews (2019)

1128 cited
Replication and extension of a model predicting response to psilocybin

Russ, S. L., Carhart-Harris, R. L., Maruyama, G. et al. · Psychopharmacology (2019)

74 cited
How do psychedelics work?

Carhart-Harris, R. L. · Current Opinion in Psychiatry (2019)

136 cited