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Unveiling Psychedelics : One of the Most Meaningful Events in Life Associated with Improved Well-Being in Swedish Users

Kajonius, Petri J. LU ; Sjöström, David LU orcid and Claesdotter-Knutsson, Emma LU (2025) In Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
Abstract

In the midst of growing research and societal discourse on psychedelic substances, a consistent finding is reported: A majority of users report profound personal meaning from their experiences. This pioneering study in Sweden, a nation renowned for its strict drug policies, sought to quantify the extent of reported meaningfulness among Swedish psychedelic users. Results revealed that a majority of the sample, 58%, ranked their psychedelic experience among the top 5 most meaningful events in their lives, while 85% among the top 10. These findings align well with previous research from other types of studies and other countries. Participants acknowledged challenging and mystical aspects as part of their psychedelic experiences, and a... (More)

In the midst of growing research and societal discourse on psychedelic substances, a consistent finding is reported: A majority of users report profound personal meaning from their experiences. This pioneering study in Sweden, a nation renowned for its strict drug policies, sought to quantify the extent of reported meaningfulness among Swedish psychedelic users. Results revealed that a majority of the sample, 58%, ranked their psychedelic experience among the top 5 most meaningful events in their lives, while 85% among the top 10. These findings align well with previous research from other types of studies and other countries. Participants acknowledged challenging and mystical aspects as part of their psychedelic experiences, and a large majority, 94%, reported positive life improvements. Factors such as a personal growth motive and supportive social networks were associated with improved well-being. Despite many study limitations, including the self-selected sample, self-reported measures, and cross-sectional design, the findings underscore the impact psychedelic experiences potentially can have on individuals’ lives.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
in press
subject
keywords
meaningfulness, Psychedelics, quality of life, well-being
in
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • pmid:39748159
  • scopus:85214357542
ISSN
0279-1072
DOI
10.1080/02791072.2024.2444892
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f6f7f613-aa37-47d7-ad8e-bf71244db147
date added to LUP
2025-03-25 14:18:19
date last changed
2025-06-03 17:41:06
@article{f6f7f613-aa37-47d7-ad8e-bf71244db147,
  abstract     = {{<p>In the midst of growing research and societal discourse on psychedelic substances, a consistent finding is reported: A majority of users report profound personal meaning from their experiences. This pioneering study in Sweden, a nation renowned for its strict drug policies, sought to quantify the extent of reported meaningfulness among Swedish psychedelic users. Results revealed that a majority of the sample, 58%, ranked their psychedelic experience among the top 5 most meaningful events in their lives, while 85% among the top 10. These findings align well with previous research from other types of studies and other countries. Participants acknowledged challenging and mystical aspects as part of their psychedelic experiences, and a large majority, 94%, reported positive life improvements. Factors such as a personal growth motive and supportive social networks were associated with improved well-being. Despite many study limitations, including the self-selected sample, self-reported measures, and cross-sectional design, the findings underscore the impact psychedelic experiences potentially can have on individuals’ lives.</p>}},
  author       = {{Kajonius, Petri J. and Sjöström, David and Claesdotter-Knutsson, Emma}},
  issn         = {{0279-1072}},
  keywords     = {{meaningfulness; Psychedelics; quality of life; well-being}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Journal of Psychoactive Drugs}},
  title        = {{Unveiling Psychedelics : One of the Most Meaningful Events in Life Associated with Improved Well-Being in Swedish Users}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2024.2444892}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/02791072.2024.2444892}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}