Journal article
Positive psychology in the investigation of psychedelics and entactogens: A critical review
Neuropharmacology, Vol.142, pp.179-199
2018
Abstract
Rationale
We reviewed the concepts and empirical findings in studies with psychedelics and entactogens related to positive psychology – the study of healthy human functioning, well-being and eudaemonia. It is an unresolved question how beneficial effects of psychedelics and entactogens are related to the potential risks of these substances – particularly in non-clinical settings.
Methods
We searched in PubMed, PsychINFO and the Cochrane Library for controlled clinical and epidemiological studies which applied concepts from positive psychology. We included N = 77 eligible studies with 9876 participants published before November 1st, 2017: (1) quantitative studies (N = 54), (2) preliminary or exploratory studies and reviews not including meta-analyses (N = 17), and (3) studies evidencing primarily negative results (N = 6).
Results
Positive psychology concepts have been applied for measuring effects of clinical trials, recreational and ceremonial use of psychedelics and entactogens. Psychedelics and entactogens were shown to produce acute and long-term effects on mood, well-being, prosocial behaviours, empathy, cognitive flexibility, creativity, personality factors like openness, value orientations, nature-relatedness, spirituality, self-transcendence and mindfulness-related capabilities.
Conclusions
There is preliminary evidence for beneficial effects of psychedelics and entactogens on measures of positive psychology in clinical and healthy populations, however their sustainability remains largely unresolved. The reported results must be considered preliminary due to methodological restrictions. Since longitudinal data on both positive and adverse effects of psychedelics are lacking, more rigorous and standardized measures from positive psychology should be applied in less biased populations with prospective longitudinal designs to carefully assess the benefit-risk-ratio.
Details
- Title
- Positive psychology in the investigation of psychedelics and entactogens: A critical review
- Authors/Creators
- H. Jungaberle (Author/Creator) - MIND European Foundation for Psychedelic Science, betahaus, Prinzessinnenstr. 19/20, 10969 Berlin, GermanyS. Thal (Author/Creator) - University of GroningenA. Zeuch (Author/Creator) - MIND European Foundation for Psychedelic Science, betahaus, Prinzessinnenstr. 19/20, 10969 Berlin, GermanyA. Rougemont-Bücking (Author/Creator) - University of FribourgM. von Heyden (Author/Creator) - FINDER Institute for Prevention Research, Germany, betahaus, Prinzessinnenstr. 19/20, 10969 Berlin, GermanyH. Aicher (Author/Creator) - Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (DPP), University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, Postfach 1931, CH-8032 Zurich, SwitzerlandM. Scheidegger (Author/Creator) - Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (DPP), University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, Postfach 1931, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
- Publication Details
- Neuropharmacology, Vol.142, pp.179-199
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Identifiers
- 991005540538807891
- Copyright
- © 2018 Elsevier Ltd.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.100 Substance Abuse
- 1.100.809 Psychoactive Substances
- Web Of Science research areas
- Neurosciences
- Pharmacology & Pharmacy
- ESI research areas
- Neuroscience & Behavior