Clearing the Air About Psychedelic Spirituality

Abstract

Psychedelic-assisted therapy occasions mystical experiences and their intensity often predicts therapeutic outcomes. Owing to their spiritual import, psychedelics have been linked to supernatural thinking, religions, and cults. Several authors within the psychedelic field argue these associations render the field scientifically and ethically questionable, with some calling for the ‘mystical framework’ of therapy to be replaced. This paper examines the controversy surrounding psychedelic spirituality to diagnose the issue and offer proposals for easing tensions. We argue that the question of the veracity of mystical insights is the primary source of controversy, but is a philosophical rather than scientific question and can, for now, be bracketed. We also argue that despite the charge of guruism and cultishness, researchers should be free to hold personal beliefs about the truth of these insights. Given their profession, however, they ought to remain agnostic about such insights and maintain values and views inherent to the ethos of science in their professional conduct.