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Mindfulness meditation and psychedelics: potential synergies and commonalities.

Pharmacological reports : PR
December 1, 2023
Paweł Holas et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to explore the theoretical rationale and potential synergistic effects of combining psychedelics with mindfulness training, focusing on shared mechanisms and clinical benefits.

Results Summary

The study found that both mindfulness-based interventions and psychedelic-assisted therapy demonstrated moderate to large effects in reducing clinical symptoms and enhancing well-being, with potential synergistic benefits when combined. Shared mechanisms included altered self-consciousness, present-moment awareness, and antidepressant action.

Population

Healthy participants and individuals with mental health problems (e.g., depression, addictions, anxiety disorders).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
psychedelic-assisted therapy
increase
alternative treatments for a variety of mental health problems, including depression, addictions, and anxiety disorders
-
moderate to large effects
experimentally validated with moderate to large effects
#1
meditation training in the form of mindfulness-based interventions
increase
alternative treatments for a variety of mental health problems, including depression, addictions, and anxiety disorders
-
moderate to large effects
experimentally validated with moderate to large effects
#2
psychedelic-assisted therapy
decrease
clinical symptoms
healthy participants
significant
demonstrated significant post-acute and long-term decreases
#3
psychedelic-assisted therapy
increase
well-being
healthy participants
significant
demonstrated significant post-acute and long-term enhancements
#4
meditation training in the form of mindfulness-based interventions
decrease
clinical symptoms
healthy participants
significant
demonstrated significant post-acute and long-term decreases
#5
meditation training in the form of mindfulness-based interventions
increase
well-being
healthy participants
significant
demonstrated significant post-acute and long-term enhancements
#6
mindfulness training and psychedelic intervention
increase
-
-
-
positive synergistic effects
#7
mindfulness training and psychedelic intervention
increase
-
-
-
can complement each other, enhancing the positive effects
#8
Abstract

There has been increasing scientific and clinical interest in studying psychedelic and meditation-based interventions in recent years, both in the context of improving mental health and as tools for understanding the mind. Several authors suggest neurophysiological and phenomenological parallels and overlaps between psychedelic and meditative states and suggest synergistic effects of both methods. Both psychedelic-assisted therapy and meditation training in the form of mindfulness-based interventions have been experimentally validated with moderate to large effects as alternative treatments for a variety of mental health problems, including depression, addictions, and anxiety disorders. Both demonstrated significant post-acute and long-term decreases in clinical symptoms and enhancements in well-being in healthy participants, in addition. Postulated shared salutogenic mechanisms, include, among others the ability to alter self-consciousness, present-moment awareness and antidepressant action via corresponding neuromodulatory effects. These shared mechanisms between mindfulness training and psychedelic intervention have led to scientists theorizing, and recently demonstrating, positive synergistic effects when both are used in combination. Research findings suggest that these two approaches can complement each other, enhancing the positive effects of both interventions. However, more theoretical accounts and methodologically sound research are needed before they can be extended into clinical practice. The current review aims to discuss the theoretical rationale of combining psychedelics with mindfulness training, including the predictive coding framework as well as research findings regarding synergies and commonalities between mindfulness training and psychedelic intervention. In addition, suggestions how to combine the two modalities are provided.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansHallucinogensMindfulnessMeditationEmotions
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy80/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations12
Citations/Year6.0
Relative Citation Ratio3.56
NIH Percentile88.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.75
Normalized Score0.67
Related Supplements
Mindfulness meditation and psychedelics: potential synergies... | Panacea Index