Psilocybin Enhances Experiences of Connectedness: Insights from an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) Protocol Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound that can cause acute sensory distortions and alterations in mental state, often evoking profound changes downstream in self-perception and worldview. Research suggests that psilocybin has transdiagnostic potential as a therapeutic agent, with beneficial effects partly attributed to increased connectedness. However, the research faces two limitations: although the effects of psilocybin are theorized to affect daily life, there is no research examining the day-to-day, moment-to-moment impacts of psilocybin. There is also growing concern for safe psychedelic use and appropriate measurement of adverse events (AEs) beyond only pharmacological outcomes (e.g., existential distress, derealization). This prospective study utilized ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to evaluate the potential impact of psilocybin on one’s experiences of connectedness to others, their surroundings, and the sacred, and explored the role connectedness may play in mitigating adverse events stemming from psychedelic experiences (AEs). A 10-day EMA protocol assessing mood and experiences several times daily was implemented in the days before and after participants (N = 48) took psilocybin. Participants were also asked to complete the PAT-AE inventory, a scale measuring adverse events, at baseline and following their psilocybin experience. Results indicated a significant increase in connectedness to others, one’s surroundings, and the sacred after psilocybin. Trajectories of connectedness across time were also characterized. On the whole, all relevant AEs demonstrated at least some increase for a select few participants, but most individuals reported lower scores on AE criteria following psilocybin use. Although there was insufficient evidence to support a significant relationship between connectedness and AEs, changes in connectedness (to others, surroundings, and the sacred) and changes in AEs were explored beyond what has been examined in previous research. These findings offer insights into psilocybin use that may guide future community practices and inform psychedelic adverse events management strategies. 

Table of Contents

List of Tables..............................................................................................i

List of Figures............................................................................................ii

Introduction ..............................................................................................1

Method......................................................................................................8

Results.....................................................................................................16

Discussion................................................................................................21

References................................................................................................29

Tables and Figures.....................................................................................44

Appendices...............................................................................................59

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Psychology
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Palabra Clave	EMA Psychedelics Adverse events Psilocybin Connectedness
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Roman Palitsky, Emory University
Committee Members	Peter Hitchcock, Emory University Deanna Kaplan, Emory University Lynne Nygaard, Emory University

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