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. 2023 Sep 30;13(1):16432.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-42444-z.

Alternative beliefs in psychedelic drug users

Alexander V Lebedev  1   2 , Kasim Acar  3   4 , Otilia Horntvedt  3 , Andrés E Cabrera  3 , Otto Simonsson  5 , Walter Osika  5 , Martin Ingvar  3   4 , Predrag Petrovic  3   4
Affiliations

Alternative beliefs in psychedelic drug users

Alexander V Lebedev et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Previous research has suggested that classical psychedelics can foster significant and enduring changes in personality traits and subjective wellbeing. Despite the lack of evidence for adverse effects on mental health stemming from psychedelic use, concerns persist regarding the capacity of these substances to modulate information processing and attitudes towards factual data. The aim of the present study was to investigate the propensity for accepting alternative facts and the general treatment of knowledge within a sample of 392 participants, 233 of whom reported at least a single incidence of psychedelic use in their lifetime. To do this, we leveraged step-wise methods of linear modelling investigating effects of demographics, psychiatric conditions and concomitant drug use. Our findings revealed a moderate positive association between psychedelic use and beliefs in alternative facts, as well as the specific belief that facts are politically influenced. However, no links were found for favouring intuition over evidence when confirming facts. Among other investigated drugs, only alcohol was negatively associated with beliefs in alternative facts. Taken together, our results support the link between psychedelic use and non-conformist thinking styles, which can be attributed to the psychological effects of the drugs themselves, but may also mirror a common trait related to unconventional beliefs and illicit substance use.

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Conflict of interest statement

The first author (AL) has assumed the position of Chief Executive Director at Katharsis Journeys Ltd. This role was undertaken after the submission of the manuscript and while the manuscript was under review. This international wellness company is dedicated to the provision of harm reduction services for individuals who engage in psychedelic experiences, with operations primarily located in the Netherlands. While this professional affiliation exists, it does not detract from the impartiality, objectivity, and academic rigor applied in the execution of this study and interpretation of its findings. The remaining co-authors have no conflict of interest to report. The authors reaffirm their commitment to the highest standards of research ethics, and any potential conflict of interest has been carefully managed to ensure the integrity of this study.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Coefficient plot of multiple regression models for the predictors of mean score on the CMQ. Estimate: non-standardized coefficients. Model1: minimal (psychedelic use and intercept), Model2: demographic adjustment, Model3: full model adjusted for concomitant drug use. Error bars denote 95% confidence intervals.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Differences in CMQ mean scores between psychedelic drug users and Non-Users. p/pcorr—p-value, unadjusted and corrected for multiple testing: * < .05; ** < .01; *** < .001.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Coefficient plot of multiple regression models for the predictors of the EBS score: Truth Is Political. Model 1: minimal (psychedelic use and intercept), Model 2: demographic adjustment, Model 3: full model adjusted for concomitant drug use. Error bars denote 95% confidence intervals and *—p < .05; **—p < .01; ***—p < .001.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Differences in mean EBS scores between psychedelic drug users and non-users. FI-facts—Faith in intuition for facts. p/pcorr—p-value, unadjusted and corrected for multiple testing: * < .05; ** < .01.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Cross-correlation network for the main investigated variables in a sample of psychedelic users (n = 180). Edges with numerical values represent Pearson correlation coefficients. The abbreviations used are as follows: CMQ—Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire, EBSf – Faith in intuition for facts, EBSe—Need for evidence, EBSp—Truth is political; ALCp/f—temporal proximity and frequency of alcohol use, PSYp/f—temporal proximity and frequency of classical psychedelic use.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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