The phenomenology of psilocybin’s experience mediates subsequent persistent psychological effects independently of sex, previous experience, or setting

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00023752%3A_____%2F25%3A43921552" target="_blank" >RIV/00023752:_____/25:43921552 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/00216208:11110/25:10499383 RIV/00216208:11120/25:43928576 RIV/60461373:22330/25:43932743 RIV/60461373:22810/25:43932743

Result on the web

<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43440-025-00742-5" target="_blank" >https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43440-025-00742-5</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s43440-025-00742-5" target="_blank" >10.1007/s43440-025-00742-5</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

The phenomenology of psilocybin’s experience mediates subsequent persistent psychological effects independently of sex, previous experience, or setting

Original language description

Background: Recent studies intensively explore psilocybin’s antidepressant potential, but variables like previous experience, repeated use, setting, and sex remain underexplored. This study examines acute and long-term effects of psilocybin in healthy individuals.Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study included 40 healthy participants (20 females, mean age 38). Each received two doses of psilocybin (0.26 mg/kg) at least 56 days apart (mean 488) in two neuroimaging study arms. Nearly half had previous psychedelic experience. Acute effects were measured using the Altered States of Consciousness Scales (ASCs) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for emotional valence. The Persisting Effects Questionnaire (PEQ) assessed long-term effects.Results: All results were independent of observed variables such as previous psychedelic experience, repeated use, setting, sex and occupation. Acute effects were moderate on the ASCs, with VAS ratings showing mostly pleasant or fluctuating experiences and only one unpleasant session. All experiences resolved in a positive or neutral state by the session’s end. Psilocybin produced lasting positive effects across all PEQ domains, with negligible negative effects. Oceanic Boundlessness (OBN) and Visionary Restructuralization (VRS) correlated with positive outcomes, while Dread of Ego Dissolution (DED), typically associated with fear, did not predict negative effects. The nature of the acute experience (pleasant or mixed) was not linked to the direction or intensity of long-term outcomes. Peak experiences ending in a positive mood were strongly associated with favourable long-term effects.Conclusion: Repeated psilocybin administration in healthy individuals induces positive, lasting effects, with challenging experiences in controlled settings not causing adverse outcomes. These findings support psilocybin’s psychological safety and its repeated use in clinical trials.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

30215 - Psychiatry

Project

Result was created during the realization of more than one project. More information in the Projects tab.

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)<br>I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Pharmacological Reports

ISSN

1734-1140

e-ISSN

2299-5684

Volume of the periodical

77

Issue of the periodical within the volume

4

Country of publishing house

PL - POLAND

Number of pages

16

Pages from-to

1024-1039

UT code for WoS article

001509378900001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105008239727