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Facing Mortality: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Psychedelic Experiences and Death Anxiety

Cohorst, Alicia Nicole LU (2025) PSYP01 20251
Department of Psychology
Abstract (Swedish)
This meta-analysis and systematic review examined the effects of psychedelic substances on death anxiety, specifically evaluating whether psychedelic experiences are associated with statistically significant reductions in death anxiety. Studies were eligible if they quantitatively assessed death anxiety or death acceptance using validated measures, or qualitatively explored attitudes toward death after psychedelic use. A systematic search identified 8 studies suitable for meta-analysis and 8 additional studies for systematic review. Using a random-effects model, the meta-analysis revealed a significant overall effect (Cohen’s d = 0.696, 95% CI [0.42, 0.97]), indicating a moderate-to-large reduction in death anxiety following psychedelic... (More)
This meta-analysis and systematic review examined the effects of psychedelic substances on death anxiety, specifically evaluating whether psychedelic experiences are associated with statistically significant reductions in death anxiety. Studies were eligible if they quantitatively assessed death anxiety or death acceptance using validated measures, or qualitatively explored attitudes toward death after psychedelic use. A systematic search identified 8 studies suitable for meta-analysis and 8 additional studies for systematic review. Using a random-effects model, the meta-analysis revealed a significant overall effect (Cohen’s d = 0.696, 95% CI [0.42, 0.97]), indicating a moderate-to-large reduction in death anxiety following psychedelic administration. Subgroup analyses showed stronger effects in clinical settings compared to the general population. A mixed-effects meta-regression indicated that mystical experience scores were positively associated with reductions in death anxiety (B = 4.90, p = .050), though moderator effects by substance type were not significant. The qualitative synthesis reaffirmed these patterns and identified themes of ego dissolution, emotional catharsis, and living in the present moment. These findings suggest that psychedelic-assisted interventions may be effective for reducing death anxiety, particularly in end-of-life care. However, limitations include a small number of studies, potential publication bias, and high heterogeneity in outcome measurement. Future research should employ larger, more methodologically rigorous trials in order to refine clinical interventions and clarify the mechanisms of psychedelic-assisted approaches to death anxiety. (Less)
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author
Cohorst, Alicia Nicole LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSYP01 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
psychedelics, death anxiety, existential distress, fear of death, death acceptance
language
English
id
9204029
date added to LUP
2025-06-23 10:15:43
date last changed
2025-06-23 10:15:43
@misc{9204029,
  abstract     = {{This meta-analysis and systematic review examined the effects of psychedelic substances on death anxiety, specifically evaluating whether psychedelic experiences are associated with statistically significant reductions in death anxiety. Studies were eligible if they quantitatively assessed death anxiety or death acceptance using validated measures, or qualitatively explored attitudes toward death after psychedelic use. A systematic search identified 8 studies suitable for meta-analysis and 8 additional studies for systematic review. Using a random-effects model, the meta-analysis revealed a significant overall effect (Cohen’s d = 0.696, 95% CI [0.42, 0.97]), indicating a moderate-to-large reduction in death anxiety following psychedelic administration. Subgroup analyses showed stronger effects in clinical settings compared to the general population. A mixed-effects meta-regression indicated that mystical experience scores were positively associated with reductions in death anxiety (B = 4.90, p = .050), though moderator effects by substance type were not significant. The qualitative synthesis reaffirmed these patterns and identified themes of ego dissolution, emotional catharsis, and living in the present moment. These findings suggest that psychedelic-assisted interventions may be effective for reducing death anxiety, particularly in end-of-life care. However, limitations include a small number of studies, potential publication bias, and high heterogeneity in outcome measurement. Future research should employ larger, more methodologically rigorous trials in order to refine clinical interventions and clarify the mechanisms of psychedelic-assisted approaches to death anxiety.}},
  author       = {{Cohorst, Alicia Nicole}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Facing Mortality: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Psychedelic Experiences and Death Anxiety}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}