Longitudinal associations between psychedelic use and meditation practices in the United States and the United Kingdom

Abstract

Background Previous research has proposed that there may be potential synergies between psychedelic and meditation interventions, but there are still knowledge gaps that merit further investigation. Methods Using a longitudinal observational research design with samples representative of the US and UK adult population with regard to sex, age, and ethnicity (N = 9732), we investigated potential associations between self-reported psychedelic use and meditation practice. Results The follow-up survey was completed by 7667 respondents (79% retention rate), with 100 respondents reporting psychedelic use during the 2-month study period (1.3% of follow-up respondents). In covariate-adjusted regression models, psychedelic use during the study period was associated with greater increases in the number of days of mindfulness meditation practice in the past week (B = 0.40, p = 0.004). Among those who reported psychedelic use during the study period, covariate-adjusted regression models revealed that the subjective experience of insight during respondents' most intense psychedelic experience in that period was also associated with greater increases in the number of days of mindfulness and loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice in the past week (B = 0.42, p = 0.021; B = 0.38, p = 0.017). Notably, more days of loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice in the past week at baseline was associated with less severe subjective feelings of death or dying during respondents' most intense psychedelic experience in the study period (B = −0.29, p = 0.037). Conclusions Psychedelic use might lead to greater engagement with meditation practices such as mindfulness meditation, while meditation practices such as loving-kindness or compassion medication might buffer against certain challenging experiences associated with psychedelic use.

Development of a digital intervention for psychedelic preparation (DIPP)

“…In both studies, ‘Meditation’ was consistently identified as a valuable preparatory component for psychedelic experiences, which corresponds with previous research 95 – 98 . For example, a recent longitudinal study found that more days of loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice prior to a psychedelic experience seemed to buffer against certain challenging psychedelic experiences 99 . Other research also suggests that tools or techniques to calm the mind are helpful during challenging psychedelic experiences 18 , 20 , which points to the potential benefit of using different meditation practices as a preparatory component for psychedelic experiences.…”

Development of a Digital Intervention for Psychedelic Preparation (DIPP): a theory- and person-centred approach

“…In both studies, 'Meditation' was consistently identified as a valuable preparatory component for psychedelic experiences, which corresponds with previous research [87][88][89][90] . For example, a recent longitudinal study found that more days of loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice prior to a psychedelic experience seemed to buffer against certain challenging psychedelic experiences 91 . Other research also suggests that tools or techniques to calm the mind are helpful during challenging psychedelic experiences 9,11 , which points to the potential benefit of using different meditation practices as a preparatory component for psychedelic experiences.…”