John Hopkins Study on Psilocybin and its Naturalistic Effect Outside Clinical Setting
Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted on adults planning to take psilocybin however they preferred outside of a clinical setting. The researchers collected data using web-based surveys at various time points: time of consent, 2 weeks before, the day before, 1-3 days after, 2-4 weeks after and 2-3 months after psilocybin use to monitor results.
Demographics:
Participants: 54-59% of partakers were male with an average age of 40 years, majority White (81-87%) residing in the United States (73-83%). More than half the sample (54-66%) held a bachelor’s or higher degree.
Psilocybin History: 86-87% had previous experience with psychedelics, reporting using psilocybin 16-17 times on average prior to enrolling in the study.
Intentions: Most cited non-exclusively: self-exploration (81.1%), mental health (71.3%), therapy (47.9%), creativity (43.7%), recreation (37.7%), productivity (22.4%), and physical health (14.3%) as their motivations for getting involved in this research.
Results:
Outcome: A total of 8006 prospects completed the preliminary consent survey, 2833 individuals completed the baseline assessment survey 2 weeks before, 1802 potential partakers completed the 1 day pre-survey, and subsequent surveys were completed by 1551 participants 1-3 days post use, 1182 participants 2-4 weeks after use and 657 participants completed the final follow-up survey 2-3 months after.
Setting: In the 1-3 days post use survey participants reported primarily using psilocybin alone (43.0%), with friends who were also using psilocybin (25.7%), or with a sober friend serving as a sitter (16.4%). Some also reported using psilocybin with a shaman or guide (1.5%), with a guided group (1.4%), or with a therapist (1.1%). Most participants used psilocybin at home (69.7%) or outdoors in nature (15.8%). Smaller proportions reported using psilocybin in a religious or spiritual setting (2.5%), at a concert or festival (1.2%); at a party (0.7%), or in another public place e.g., mall, movie theater (0.7%).
Dosage and Form: 1501 (96.8%) individuals reported an average dose of 3.1 g of dried mushrooms. Psilocybe cubensis was the most commonly noted mushroom species, used by 675 (43.5%) participants, while 250 (16.1%) indicated another mushroom species, and the remaining 626 (40.4%) were unsure of the type of mushroom being used. Partakers largely reported taking dried whole mushrooms (n = 655; 42.2%), dried ground mushrooms (n = 296; 19.3%), mushrooms steeped in tea (n = 241; 15.5%), and mushroom-infused edibles (e.g., chocolates, capsules, gummies; n = 99; 6.4%).
Other Substances: During the experience, the most common substances used in conjunction with psilocybin were cannabis (n = 479; 30.9%), caffeine (n = 229; 14.8%), and alcohol (n = 179; 11.5%). Additionally, 72 people (4.6%) reported using psilocybin while on an antidepressant. Only 35 people (2.3%) reported taking another psychedelic during their psilocybin experience.
Effects:
Reduction in Anxiety and Depression: Participants reported decreased symptoms of neuroticism, depression and alcohol misuse.
Enhanced Cognitive Flexibility: They found an increased ability to adapt and think creatively.
Increased Spiritual Wellbeing: Many reported an increase in their sense of spiritual contentment.
Higher Extraversion: There was an increase in extraversion and greater social openness.
Lower Burnout: A reduction in burnout was also observed.
Adverse Effects: A minority of participants reported lingering negative results such as mood fluctuations by 55 participants (4.7%) at 2-4 weeks after use, and by 20 participants (3.0%) at 2-3 months after use and depressive symptoms by 37 participants (3.1%) at 2-4 weeks, and by 11 participants (1.7%) at 2-3 months.
Conclusion: This longitudinal study provides strong support for the idea that psilocybin can have a lasting positive impact on mental health and overall wellbeing when used in a naturalistic and non-clinical context. However, it also highlights the importance of responsible use with proper guidance as well as the need for further research on a more diverse sample size.
