Mystical Experience
PsychedelicA state marked by felt unity, a sense of transcending ordinary time and space, deeply felt positive mood, and a conviction that what occurred was more real than everyday reality.
Example: Researchers measure this with the 30-item Mystical Experience Questionnaire; in psilocybin trials for cancer-related distress, scores on it accounted for significant variance in 18 of 19 measured outcomes, independent of how intense the drug experience simply felt.
What counts as a "mystical experience" in psychedelic research?
A state marked by felt unity, a sense of transcending ordinary time and space, deeply felt positive mood, and a conviction that what occurred was more real than everyday reality.
Does the intensity of a mystical experience predict clinical outcomes?
Yes — researchers measure it with the 30-item Mystical Experience Questionnaire; in psilocybin trials for cancer-related distress, scores on it accounted for significant variance in 18 of 19 measured outcomes, independent of how intense the drug experience simply felt.