Research library / Clinical trial

Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience in combination with meditation and other spiritual practices produces enduring positive changes in psychological functioning and in trait measures of prosocial attitudes and behaviors

Griffiths RR, Johnson MW, Richards WA, et al. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2018;32(1):49-69

This study asked whether psilocybin, combined with a programme of meditation and spiritual practice, could produce lasting changes in personality-type traits. Seventy-five healthy adults began spiritual practice and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a very low psilocybin dose with standard support, a high dose with standard support, or a high dose with extra support. Neither participants nor staff knew who got which dose. Six months later, both high-dose groups reported large improvements in closeness to others, gratitude, sense of meaning, forgiveness and spiritual life, and people who knew them also rated positive changes. Stronger mystical-type experiences and more meditation went with bigger lasting effects. The participants were healthy volunteers drawn to spiritual practice, so the findings may not carry over to other groups.