Title & Introduction

  • Paper Title: Experiences of Psychedelic Drug Use Among People with Psychotic Symptoms and Disorders: Personal Growth and Mystical Experiences
  • Published In: Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 2024
  • Authors: Joseph T. La Torre, Jade Gallo, Mehdi Mahammadli, Daniel Zalewa, and Monnica T. Williams
  • Objective: To explore the outcomes of psychedelic use among individuals with psychotic symptoms or disorders, focusing on personal growth, mystical experiences, and associated mental health effects.
  • Importance: This study addresses a significant research gap by examining the effects of psychedelics on a population often excluded from psychedelic-assisted therapy studies due to assumed risks.

Key Background Information

  • Context: Despite increasing interest in psychedelic therapies, individuals with psychotic disorders are typically excluded due to concerns about exacerbating symptoms, though evidence supporting this risk is minimal.
  • Hypothesis: Psychedelic experiences can result in personal growth and mental health benefits, even among those with psychotic symptoms, under certain conditions.

Methodology

  • Study Design: Mixed-methods, cross-sectional, retrospective survey.
  • Participants: 100 individuals (ages 18-62, average age 28.5), all with a history of psychotic experiences or disorders.
  • Intervention/Exposure: Participants self-reported on a single memorable psychedelic experience using substances like psilocybin, LSD, or others, including dosages and settings.
  • Controls: None (naturalistic and retrospective design).
  • Duration: Data was collected over approximately nine months.

Key Findings

  • Primary Outcomes:
    • 88% of participants reported some level of personal growth following their psychedelic experience.
    • Mystical experiences, as measured by the Mystical Experiences Questionnaire-mini (MEQ-mini), had an average intensity score of 7.1/10.
    • 67% reported increased spirituality or contemplation.
    • 51% gained new insights into past events or traumas.
    • Significant improvements in feelings of love, appreciation, and resilience were commonly noted.
  • Secondary Outcomes:
    • 11% reported entirely negative experiences, including symptom exacerbation or distress.
    • Mixed outcomes often involved both positive insights and adverse effects.

Interpretation & Implications

  • Conclusion: Psychedelic experiences often yielded personal growth and mental health benefits for individuals with psychotic symptoms. However, the context of use (e.g., setting and co-use with other substances) played a crucial role in outcomes.
  • Implications: With appropriate safeguards, psychedelic-assisted therapy might be a viable treatment for this population. However, clinical trials are needed to establish safety and efficacy.
  • Limitations: Self-reported data, lack of diversity in the sample, and potential memory biases were noted as limitations. Additionally, settings for psychedelic use were uncontrolled, impacting generalizability.

Summary & Takeaways

  • Key Takeaway: Psychedelics have the potential to support personal growth and alleviate symptoms for individuals with psychotic disorders, but require cautious application.
  • Practical Application: Future research should focus on controlled clinical trials to validate the findings and create tailored protocols for this vulnerable group.

Researchers & Publication

  • Researchers: Joseph T. La Torre, Jade Gallo, Mehdi Mahammadli, Daniel Zalewa, and Monnica T. Williams
  • Publication: Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 2024
  • Study URL: https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2024.00348
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