studies established

Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance

Psilocybin reliably occasioned mystical-type experiences, and two months later the majority of volunteers rated the session among the most personally meaningful and spiritually significant experiences of their lives.

Griffiths, Richards, McCann, Jesse January 1, 2006

Key findingPsilocybin reliably occasioned mystical-type experiences, and two months later the majority of volunteers rated the session among the most personally meaningful and spiritually significant experiences of their lives.

Study at a glance

FieldDetail
InstitutionJohns Hopkins University
DesignRandomized, double-blind, active-controlled crossover
Sample size36 participants
Intervention30 mg/70kg psilocybin vs. methylphenidate active control
Year2006
ConditionHealthy volunteers (mystical-type experience)
JournalPsychopharmacology
Evidenceestablished

Limitations

Healthy, screened, hallucinogen-naive volunteers; outcomes are subjective self-reports rather than clinical endpoints.

Editorial note

The study that reopened modern psychedelic research after decades of dormancy. Its rigorous demonstration that psilocybin reliably produces meaningful mystical-type experiences set the methodological template for the field.

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Summary written by MMI Editorial for clarity. Always consult the primary source for full methodology and results. The confidence rating reflects our assessment of evidence strength.