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

Forstmann, Matthias; Kettner, Hannes; Sagioglou, Christina; Irvine, Alexander; Gandy, Sam; Carhart-Harris, Robin; Luke, David

doi:10.1177/02698811221146356

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 103 publications

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“…However, while many respondents in this study described feeling strongly connected to nature and to others who shared similar experiences (e.g., new friends met on retreat or members of psychedelic interest groups), they could simultaneously feel disconnected from pre-existing relationships, particularly if their new beliefs were not shared (e.g., partners, family, or colleagues). Conflicting results have also been noted in prior studies measuring connectedness to nature after psychedelic use [33]. This suggests there may be a more complex pattern of connection-disconnection to be explored in psychedelic research.…”

Section: Ontological Integration and The Connection Paradoxmentioning

confidence: 80%

Life after Ayahuasca: A Qualitative Analysis of the Psychedelic Integration Experiences of 1630 Ayahuasca Drinkers from a Global Survey

et al. 2023

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Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychoactive plant medicine being explored for its potential therapeutic uses in Western contexts. Preliminary studies link ayahuasca use with improvements across a range of mental health indicators, but studies have not yet explored qualitative aspects of the post-treatment process known in the psychedelic literature as “integration”. This includes how participants make sense of their ayahuasca experiences and minimise harm/maximise benefits after ayahuasca use. A global online survey, conducted between 2017 and 2019, collected responses from 1630 ayahuasca drinkers (50.4% male, mean age = 43 years) to an open-ended question about their integration experiences after consuming ayahuasca. Inductive codebook thematic analysis was used to identify themes in participants’ integration experiences. Participants described integration experiences in three main ways. First, was an overall appraisal of the integration experience (e.g., as easy, challenging, or long-term/ongoing). Second, was describing beneficial tools which facilitated integration (e.g., connecting with a like-minded community and ongoing practice of yoga, meditation, journaling, etc.). Third, was describing integration challenges (e.g., feeling disconnected, going back to “old life” with new understandings, etc.). These findings suggest that integrating ayahuasca experiences can be challenging and take considerable time, though working through integration challenges may facilitate positive growth. Findings also challenge the role of individual psychotherapy as the primary integration tool in Western psychedelic therapy, suggesting that communal and somatic elements may also be useful. An expanded definition of psychedelic integration is proposed which includes working with integration challenges and adjusting to life changes.

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Section: Ontological Integration and The Connection Paradoxmentioning

confidence: 80%

Life after Ayahuasca: A Qualitative Analysis of the Psychedelic Integration Experiences of 1630 Ayahuasca Drinkers from a Global Survey

et al. 2023

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“…Such experiences can in turn lead to deepened nature connectedness [51,54]. As previously mentioned, recent findings [48] suggest that the effects of psychedelics in promoting the nature connection may be most common in users of psilocybin mushrooms. This interesting finding, drawn from analysis of multiple combined data sources, highlights the need to investigate how the nature-connecting capacity of different psychedelics varies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The process of theme generation began with translation of the data from survey tool to analysis tool once the qualitative and quantitative data (published in [48]) were parsed (i.e., Qualtrics > SPSS > NVivo). The quantitative data were analysed in a collaborative manuscript investigating associations between retrospective psychedelic experiences and nature relatedness [48]. The qualitative data were retained for analysis here.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transpersonal Ecodelia: Surveying Psychedelically Induced Biophilia

et al. 2023

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Objective: To explore the perceived influence of psychedelic experiences on participants’ relationship with the natural world. Method: A total of 272 participants reporting previous use of psychedelics completed free-text response requests via an online survey. Thematic analysis was used to explore group participant responses. Results: Participants who described a pre-existing relationship with nature reported that psychedelics acted to re-establish and bolster their connection to nature. Those reporting no previously established connection to nature described psychedelics as helping them bond with the natural world. Underlying both of these were reports of transpersonal experiences, of which ‘interconnectedness’ was most frequently linked to shifts in attitudes and behaviours. Participants were also asked to reflect on previous psychedelic experiences that took place in nature and reported a range of benefits of the natural setting. Conclusions: These findings suggest that psychedelics have the capacity to elicit a connection with nature that is passionate and protective, even among those who were not previously nature oriented. More research is needed to explore the potential implications of psychedelic use outside laboratory-controlled settings in order to enhance these important effects.

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“…During the actual session, engage all your senses-touch soil with your bare feet, study plants and insects, and feel bark textures. Adding psilocybin can deepen the nature connection, but be cautious if you have major unresolved trauma as it might resurface [50].…”

Section: Expanding the Circle Of Compassionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Open MDMA: An Open Source Framework and Practical Guide for the Therapeutic use of MDMA

Groeneveld,

Harper

2024

Preprint

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60% of adults experienced childhood trauma; half develop a mental illness in their life. Symptoms like cognitive distortion, emotional rigidness/insecurity, and impaired compassion increase tribalism, political polarization, and apathy to animal suffering–hobbling our collective capacity to defeat global catastrophic risks. Access to effective care (a crucial support for stopping intergenerational harm) is inadequate for most who need it. MDMA is a promising treatment, but good training is lacking because MDMA is illegal. With legalization immanent, our rigorous and accessible guide to MDMA therapy will: 1) Resource therapeutic MDMA users and clinicians 2) Articulate likely mechanisms of effectiveness, to inform the development of future therapeutic techniquesThis can reduce mental illness by addressing the prevalent, high impact barriers to effective care–increasing collective capacity for collaboration, supporting individuals who end cycles of abuse, and protecting future generations.

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

Cited by 10 publications

References 103 publications

Life after Ayahuasca: A Qualitative Analysis of the Psychedelic Integration Experiences of 1630 Ayahuasca Drinkers from a Global Survey

Life after Ayahuasca: A Qualitative Analysis of the Psychedelic Integration Experiences of 1630 Ayahuasca Drinkers from a Global Survey

Transpersonal Ecodelia: Surveying Psychedelically Induced Biophilia

Open MDMA: An Open Source Framework and Practical Guide for the Therapeutic use of MDMA

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