The consumption of LSD, hallucinogenic mushrooms, mescaline or ayahuasca leads to detachment from rational theories.
- The impact of psychedelic drug use on mental health has been studied
- Consumers of these substances “deviate from the rational”
- The effects of these drugs on mental health have been observed up to 6 months after consumption
According to a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, psychedelic drugs can alter a person’s beliefs for up to six months after use.
Believe in “fate”
Study director Christopher Timmermann and his team chose to analyze people’s ideological changes before and after their drug use, and to study in more detail the impact of these changes on their mental health. To do this, they recruited 866 individuals about to consume psychedelic substances such as psilocybin or ayahuasca. The participants, who lived in different countries, had to complete three questionnaires a few months apart, before and after their “trip”.
After analyzing the responses, the researchers found that participants’ beliefs shifted away from the rational after drug use, and that this change was more marked among respondents who were using psychedelics for the first time. Last surprising fact: people who, for example, began to believe in “fate” or the existence “of superior strength” finally felt better mentally than the others.
“Profound scientific implications”
In conclusion, the authors of the study state that “psychedelics can alter some of the most deeply held human beliefs” and that their consumption “have profound scientific, societal, political and philosophical implications.”
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