Among Adults Who Regularly Meditate, Nearly 3 in 4 Say Psychedelic Use Positively Impacts Their Meditation

Among adults who regularly meditate, nearly 3 in 4 felt that psychedelic use had a positive impact on the quality of their meditation, according to a new study.

Study Examines the Link Between Psychedelics and Meditation Quality

The research, published last month in the journal PLoS ONE, surveyed 863 adults who meditated at least three times per week over the past year. Among them, 73.5 percent said the use of psychedelics was beneficial to their meditation practice.

Researchers found respondents were more likely to report positive effects of psychedelics if they used the substances more regularly, actively set intentions around their psychedelic use, had agreeable personalities, and had previously consumed DMT specifically, among other factors.

Researchers Highlight Psychedelics’ Potential Benefits for Meditators

The study suggests that most meditators found psychedelic use to have a positive influence on their meditation practice. Both meditation and psychedelic substances have gained increasing public and scientific attention, with both being tied to significant therapeutic benefits.

There is growing scientific interest in potential synergies between psychedelic use and meditation practice. Some research suggests that psychedelics may enhance meditation by promoting states of deep introspection and ego dissolution.

Experimental Research Supports the Connection Between Psychedelics and Mindfulness

For example, the study references a recent experiment in which 39 meditators received psilocybin or a placebo over a five-day mindfulness meditation retreat. Those who received the psychedelic reported a greater sense of ego dissolution during the retreat and more positive changes in psychosocial functioning afterward.

Another qualitative study analyzed written accounts of people who combined psychedelics and meditation. Most participants perceived that simultaneous use enhanced either their meditation practice, psychedelic experience, or both.

Survey Participants Spanned a Wide Range of Ages and Backgrounds

For the new study, researchers surveyed adults ranging in age from 18 to 81, most of whom (79.4 percent) were male. They used machine learning to analyze associations between participants’ various traits and their response to the question: “Overall, do you believe that your psychedelic experience(s) have influenced the quality of your regular meditation practice?”

Participants could answer on a scale from 1 to 7, corresponding with a strong negative influence to a strong positive influence. Responses had a mean of 5.49 with a standard deviation of 1.24.

Factors That Influence Perceived Benefits of Psychedelics on Meditation

The study found that greater psychedelic use, both in frequency and lifetime experience, was most associated with the perception that psychedelics benefit meditation practice. Setting intentions for psychedelic use was another important factor.

Additionally, traits such as agreeableness and previous exposure to N,N-DMT were associated with the perception that psychedelics enhanced meditation practice. Other factors, including cannabis use, openness to experience, and retreat practice, also showed smaller but statistically significant positive associations.

Notably, the study did not ask whether participants used psychedelics during meditation itself.

A Unique Profile of Individuals Who Benefit from Psychedelic Use in Meditation

A profile emerges of individuals who are most likely to perceive their psychedelic use as beneficial to meditation. These individuals are likely to use psychedelics regularly and intentionally. They may also have higher agreeableness and previous exposure to N,N-DMT.

The study was authored by a team of 10 researchers from institutions such as the University of Wisconsin, University College London, Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, University of California San Francisco, and Institut für Psychotherapie Potsdam in Germany.

Previous Studies Have Explored Psychedelics’ Role in Enhancing Consciousness and Spirituality

A separate study released in 2023 found that people who practiced yoga after consuming marijuana experienced heightened mindfulness and mysticality, indicating that setting and behavior play an important role in modulating a person’s experience.

Another study found that people who had used multiple different formulations of psilocybin, including whole mushrooms, mycological extract, and a lab-synthesized version, typically preferred whole mushrooms. They described them as not only more effective but also “more alive and vibrant.”

A 2023 study explored the role of psilocybin mushrooms in the evolution of human consciousness. Researchers concluded that the psychedelic has the potential to trigger significant neurological and psychological effects that may have influenced human development over time.

Meanwhile, a recent study by Johns Hopkins University researchers examined the effects of psychedelics on belief systems. Contrary to some earlier evidence, they found that a single psilocybin experience is unlikely to make an atheist believe in God or change someone’s sense of free will. However, it may inspire the belief that animals, plants, or even objects like rocks and robots have some form of consciousness.