AUTHORS NOTE: The Background section will be uploaded with each post so there will be no need to check back. If you have already read the background feel free to scroll down to paragraph, 2. Recommended Readings: Trip: Psychedelics, Alienation, and Change by Tao Lin
Background
Classic Hallucinogenic drugs are agonists of our serotonergic receptors. They are capable of producing significant alterations in the perceptions of those who ingest them. Historically, some hallucinogens have been used in cultural rituals, spiritual ceremonies and developmental rites of passage (Piotrowski, 2013). Common hallucinogens are Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin (Mushrooms), mescaline (Peyote) and the potent dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The experience can be either pleasant or upsetting and the duration of the experience varies from experience to experience and from substance to substance. Most of these substances have been illegal since the 1970’s; however, have regained interest among researchers for the treatment of different types of mental stress and mental disorders (Piotrowski, 2013). Personality can develop through; the desire to change and to believe change is possible. Then one can begin to perform the necessary new behaviours, which over time become habitual and lead to lasting personality change (Funder, 2016, pg. 249). Spontaneous—lasting change—seems to be rare, so it would be interesting if the temporary subjective change in a person’s perception would also change some aspects of a person’s personality. This review will examine the effects of psychedelics on personality, where personality refers to an individual’s characteristic patterns of thought, emotion, and behaviour, together with the psychological mechanisms—hidden or not—behind those patterns. (Funder, 2016, pg. 5).
Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects.
The objective of the researchers was to evaluate dose-effects of psilocybin in a controlled double-blind study at the following doses: 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 mg/70kg. The test itself was administered on locally sourced participants (n = 18, 8 males) from the community with the mean age of 42. All participants are described to be medically healthy as well as psychologically healthy without family histories of psychotic disorders or bipolar I or II disorder or current–or past (20 > years)–of drug or alcohol dependence (excluding nicotine). The Participants were hallucinogen naïve with one exception; they used psilocybin mushrooms on two occasions more than 20 years previously. None of the participants received compensation and were purely motivated by immense curiosity about the possible effects of psilocybin and the desire for extensive-self reflection.
The study involved five 8-h drug sessions conducted at equal intervals (~1 month) and a 14-month follow-up. The eighteen volunteers were randomly assigned to receive the active psilocybin in either ascending dose sequence or descending dose sequence. Each participant receiving the following dose protocol: 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 mg/70kg in opaque lactose capsules. All nine participants in the ascending and descending groups received the placebo (0mg/70kg) once on session 3 and twice on 1, 2, 4 and 5. Ultimately this obscures the dose sequence to the monitors and participants. The tests were conducted in a living room like environment with sensory deprivation aside from music. Seven hours after the capsule was administered the major effects had subsided, the participants were then required to fill out three questionnaires (Hallucinogen Rating Scale, APZ & Addiction Research Center Inventory) developed for assessing the effects of hallucinogen drugs. Additionally, they were required to fill out another two questionnaires developed for assessing mystical experiences (State of Consciousness Questionnaire & Mysticism Scale). The persisting effects were assessed after one month and 14-months. At 3 to 4 weeks after each session and before any additional sessions. The participants completed a questionnaire (Persisting Effects Questionnaire) to measure changes in personality, mood and spirituality as well as possible persisting changes in attitudes, mood and behavior. At 14-months after the last session, participants completed a Retrospective Questionnaire and a clinical interview reflecting on study experiences and current life situation.
One month after either or both the highest dose sessions, 83% of the participants rated the experience as the single (or among the top five) most spiritually significant experiences of their life. After the 14 months have elapsed, 94% of the participants felt this way. The researchers also discovered that can have persisting positive changes in attitudes, mood, life satisfaction, behavior, and altruism/social effects. These domains were apparent in the 1-month interval with 94% of the volunteers agreeing that the experience ahs increased their life satisfaction moderately or very much and 89% rated moderate or higher changes in positive behavior. At the 14-month marker these ratings remained high. The types of behavior changes that were recorded from the participants were better social life, increased physical and psychological self-care and increased spiritual practice. These observations were consistent with community observers and by study monitors.
Griffiths R. R., Johnson M. W., Richards W.A., Richards B. R., McCann U. D., and Jesse R. (2011). Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects. Psychopharmacology 218, 649-665. doi: 10.1007/s00213-011-2358-5
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