Mystical Experiences in Retrospective Reports of First Times Using a Psychedelic in Finland

Jun 9, 2020Journal of psychoactive drugs

Reports of Mystical Experiences During First Use of Psychedelics in Finland

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Abstract

A four-factor structure of mystical experiences showed fair to reasonable fit among 288 people reporting on their first psychedelic use.

The Finnish translation of the Revised Mystical Experiences Questionnaire demonstrated internal consistency reliability.
Preliminary evidence suggests criterion and discriminant validity for the Finnish MEQ30.
Higher scores on the MEQ30 and full mystical experiences were strongly linked to perceptions of the experience as mystical, spiritual, or personally significant.
Mystical experiences correlated with positive changes in relationships with nature, oneself, and creativity.
Larger doses of psychedelics were associated with more frequent mystical experiences.

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Despite their acutely inebriating and sometimes unpleasant effects, some people report positive changes in life satisfaction, well-being, or mental health after taking psychedelic drugs. One explanation may be the ability of psychedelics to trigger mystical-type experiences. We examined the validity, reliability, and factor structure of a novel Finnish translation of the Revised Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ30) among 288 people retrospectively reporting on their first time using a psychedelic. We found evidence for internal consistency reliability and preliminary evidence for criterion and discriminant validity of the Finnish MEQ30. A four-factor structure with factors for mystical qualities, positive mood, transcendence, and ineffability had the best, fair to reasonable fit to the data. MEQ30 scores and having a full mystical experience were highly associated with describing the experience as mystical, spiritual, or religious, and as personally significant, and somewhat associated with the experience being sad or difficult. Mystical experiences were especially associated with positive changes in relationships with nature and oneself and in creativity. Mystical experiences were more common with larger doses. Increasing research suggests mystical-type experiences to relate to positive changes after taking psychedelics. The Finnish MEQ30 is able to tap into relevant information about this aspect of people's psychedelic experiences.

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Mystical Experiences in Retrospective Reports of First Times Using a Psychedelic in Finland

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