Study suggests psilocybin increases mindfulness, especially when accompanied by mystical experiences

A latest examine revealed in Frontiers in Psychology investigates the connection between psilocybin, mindfulness, mystical-type experiences, and serotonin receptors within the mind. Following contributors for 3 months after a dose of psilocybin, the brand new findings point out that when taking psilocybin, those that report mystical-type experiences usually tend to have elevated trait mindfulness. In addition, those that took psilocybin had mystical experiences and have become extra conscious and noticed much less exercise within the amygdala serotonin 2A receptors (5-HT_2AR).

Psilocybin is a naturally-occurring psychedelic compound present in sure species of mushrooms. It has been used historically by indigenous cultures all over the world for hundreds of years in religious and psychological therapeutic ceremonies. The compound was made well-known within the Sixties counterculture motion; nevertheless, its therapeutic potential has come into focus in recent times.

Researcher Anna Søndergaard and her colleagues acknowledge the numerous potential functions of psilocybin, together with as therapies for despair, obsessive-compulsive dysfunction, anxiousness, alcohol abuse, and smoking. For these with out sickness or habit, an earlier however smaller examine discovered will increase in trait mindfulness after a dose of psilocybin.

Søndergaard and her colleagues have been curious to find if enhanced trait mindfulness would proceed over time, what (if any) was the connection between mystical experiences when taking psilocybin, and at last, what function 5-HT_2AR has to play within the growth of mystical experiences or trait mindfulness. The examine defines trait mindfulness as “the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment.”

The examine included 39 contributors recruited from a database of people prepared to take psilocybin and endure neuroimaging. In addition, they have been screened for medical points, being pregnant, and different medicine. Phase one of many examine included offering every participant with a dose of psilocybin acceptable for his or her weight. More than ½ of the contributors have been both in a PET scan or an MR scanner. The the rest have been in a snug room.

Six hours after the administration of the psilocybin, contributors took a mystical expertise questionnaire., which requested about issues like feeling a way of unity, ecstasy, dropping your sense of time, or feeling just like the expertise couldn’t be described. Finally, earlier than and three months after the dose of psilocybin, contributors took the Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale.

Statistical evaluation revealed an 8.1% improve in trait mindfulness from earlier than taking psilocybin to a few months after. Furthermore, in comparison with the outcomes of the paranormal expertise questionnaire, it was found that those that reported extra intense mystical experiences additionally had greater trait mindfulness scores. The mind scans additionally recognized much less binding exercise at 5-HT_2AR in the appropriate facet of the amygdala.

Concerning this discovering, the analysis crew said, “the right amygdala may be more involved in mindfulness than the left amygdala…further studies need to explore the role of serotonin for individual differences in response to psychedelic administration.”

The researchers acknowledged some limitations. These embrace the three-month hole between the administration of the drug and the ultimate measure of mindfulness. Participants may have been pursuing a mindfulness apply throughout this time. The examine additionally had no blind management group.

The analysis crew doesn’t imagine these limitations diminish the worth of their work. Instead, they recommend the next: “psilocybin and the mystical-type experience could have mindfulness-enhancing capacities and may potentially work in synergy with mindfulness-based forms of therapies in a clinical setting.”

The examine, “Lasting increases in trait mindfulness after psilocybin correlate positively with the mystical-type experience in healthy individuals”, was authored by Anna Søndergaard, Martin Korsbak Madsen, Brice Ozenne, Sophia Armand, Gitte Moos Knudsen, Patrick McDonald Fisher, and Dea Siggaard Stenbæk.