PSILOCYBIN RESEARCH AT JOHNS HOPKINS: A2014 REPORT

Historically, currently, and cross-culturally, profound mystical experiences are often reported as benefi cially life-changing, and certain plants and chemicals are reported as potent catalysts of those experiences. The research described here undertook to scientifi cally demonstrate a process using psilocybin that would occasion such events with high likelihood and reasonable safety. At least for individuals similar to those who have participated in the Hopkins psilocybin studies, we believe we can now confi rm that such a process exists and that it can yield at least some of the surmised benefi ts. This confi rmation derives from experiments in our laboratory with over 200 volunteers to date, each of whom has received at least one daylong session involving a large dose of psilocybin. Two-thirds or more of the volunteers reported one of their sessions as among the most meaningful experiences of their lives and attributed to it positive changes in their mood, behaviors, and overall well-being. Most of the volunteers were psychologically and physically healthy, hallucinogen-naive adults with some spiritual interest. Some were cancer patients seeking relief from psychological distress due to their diagnosis, and some were tobacco smokers, otherwise healthy, willing to try a cessation program including psilocybin sessions. The team’s work so far, listed in Table 3.1, comprises seven laboratory studies, completed or in progress, and two Internet-based survey studies. The laboratory work has been conducted double-blind using methods intended to maintain the blind and to minimize expectancy effects, including obscuring design elements from the volunteers and most study staff. This research has been or will be reported in detail in scientifi c journal articles. In