Hallucinogen Usage, Experiencing Mystical Phenomena, and Transformational Identity Change

This study seeks to understand the therapeutic potential of multiple prominent hallucinogens (LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, Cannabis, and DMT) by examining corresponding posttraumatic growth, transformational identity change, and experience(s) of mystical phenomena. College students (N = 278) completed an anonymous online survey. The data was analyzed to assess hallucinogen usage history and possible changes, as well as any significant differences between each hallucinogen. Participants were first asked about their hallucinogen usage including which hallucinogens they have specifically used, number of uses, age of first use, and the last time they used. They were also asked to rate their short-term vs long term reactions from memory, as well as identity changes they may have experienced from their hallucinogen usage. They then answered The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-X; Tedeschi et al., 2017) which was adapted for this study by asking if the possible growth/change they experienced was a result of hallucinogen usage. Next, participants answered The Scales for Transformational Change (Waterman et al., 2020) to assess for possible identity changes because of hallucinogen usage. Lastly, participants were presented with The Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ-30; Maclean et al., 2012), which attempts to characterize hallucinogen-oriented spiritual experiences and determine the role mystical experiences may play when engaging in hallucinogen use. Possible correlations did arise between classic hallucinogen usage, mystical experiences, and resulting posttraumatic growth and transformational change. Data analysis does suggest that classic psychedelics yield more significant identity changes than cannabis or MDMA.