Sustained, multifaceted improvements in mental well-being following psychedelic experiences in a prospective opportunity sample
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
In the last 15 years, psychedelic substances, such as LSD and psilocybin, have regained legitimacy in clinical research. In the general population as well as across various psychiatric populations, mental well-being has been found to significantly improve after a psychedelic experience. Mental well-being has large socioeconomic relevance, but it is a complex, multifaceted construct. In this naturalistic observational study, a comprehensive approach was taken to assessing well-being before and after a taking a psychedelic compound to induce a “psychedelic experience.” Fourteen measures of well-being related constructs were included in order to examine the breadth and specificity of change in well-being. This change was then analysed to examine clusters of measures changing together. Survey data was collected from volunteers that intended to take a psychedelic. Four key time points were analysed: 1 week before and 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 2 years after the experience (N = 654, N = 315, N = 212, and N = 64, respectively). Change on the included measures was found to cluster into three factors which we labelled: 1) “Being well”, 2) “Staying well,” and 3) “Spirituality.” Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Variance revealed all but the spirituality factor to be improved in the weeks following the psychedelic experience. Additional Mixed model analyses revealed selective increases in Being Well and Staying Well (but not Spirituality) that remained statistically significant up to 2 years post-experience, albeit with high attrition rates. Post-hoc examination suggested that attrition was not due to differential acute experiences or mental-health changes in those who dropped out vs. those who did not. These findings suggest that psychedelics can have a broad, robust and sustained positive impact on mental well-being in those that have a prior intention to use a psychedelic compound. Public policy implications are discussed.
Date Issued
2021-06-29
Date Acceptance
2021-05-31
Citation
Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2021, 12
ISSN
1664-0640
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Volume
12
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Psychiatry
mental well-being
psychedelics
mental health
naturalistic setting
survey study
longitudinal
exploratory factor analysis
early intervention
MYSTICAL-TYPE EXPERIENCES
ASSISTED THERAPY
PSYCHOLOGICAL FLEXIBILITY
PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES
COMMITMENT THERAPY
HEALTH-CARE
PSILOCYBIN
ACCEPTANCE
MINDFULNESS
AYAHUASCA
early intervention
exploratory factor analysis
longitudinal
mental health
mental well-being
naturalistic setting
psychedelics
survey study
1103 Clinical Sciences
1117 Public Health and Health Services
1701 Psychology
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 647909
Date Publish Online
2021-06-29