Psilocybin Study Finds Lasting Spiritual Benefits in Clergy

Author: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News
Published: 9 Jun 2025 - Updated: 19 Sep 2026
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed | Randomized Trial

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Psychedelic Medicine, reports on a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial of 29 clergy from major world religions who had never used psychedelics. Each received two supervised psilocybin sessions about a month apart, the first at 20 mg/70 kg and the second at 20 or 30 mg/70 kg. Compared with a delayed-treatment control group, participants reported significantly greater positive changes in their religious practices, attitudes toward their own faith, and effectiveness as religious leaders, along with better mood, attitudes, and behavior outside of religion. Those gains held through 16 months after the second session, and 96% ranked at least one session among the five most spiritually significant experiences of their lives. The findings matter because they come from a controlled design with long-term follow-up rather than anecdote, and they add to growing evidence on how supervised psilocybin may support emotional well-being and a sense of meaning, which is of interest to clinicians, chaplains, faith communities, and older adults or people with disabilities looking at whole-person approaches to mental health.*

At a Glance

• 1 - 92% of participants described at least one psilocybin session as among the most profoundly sacred experiences of their lives.
• 2 - Nearly half of the clergy found parts of their sessions highly challenging, even though no serious adverse events were reported.
• 3 - Beyond spirituality, 83% rated a session among their most psychologically insightful experiences and 79% among their most psychologically meaningful.
• 4 - The study was led in part by the late Roland Griffiths of Johns Hopkins University, with Stephen Ross and Anthony Bossis of NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Topic Definition

Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy

Psilocybin-assisted therapy is a structured treatment approach in which a person takes a measured dose of psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychoactive compound found in certain species of mushrooms, in a controlled setting with trained facilitators present. The process usually has three stages: preparation sessions to build trust and set intentions, one or more dosing sessions lasting around six hours, and integration sessions afterward to help the person make sense of what they experienced. In the body, psilocybin is converted to psilocin, which acts mainly on serotonin 5-HT2A receptors and temporarily changes perception, mood, and self-awareness. Researchers are studying the approach for depression, end-of-life distress, addiction, and anxiety, and many trials find that the intensity of the mystical or meaningful experience during a session is linked to how much lasting benefit people report

Overview

Stoned Preachers: Effects of Psilocybin on Religious and Spiritual Attitudes and Behaviors in Clergy From Major World Religions

A new study in the peer-reviewed journal Psychedelic Medicine showed that psilocybin administration in a sample of clergy from major world religions increased multiple domains of overall psychological well-being, including positive changes in religious attitudes and behavior as well as effectiveness in their vocation as a religious leader.

The late Roland Griffiths, of Johns Hopkins University, along with Stephen Ross and Anthony Bossis, from New York University Grossman School of Medicine, and coauthors, compared a control group of participants to psychedelic-naïve clergy from various major world religions who received two psilocybin sessions: 20 and then 20 or 30 mg/70 kg about 1 month later.

Compared to the control group, "participants who had received psilocybin reported significantly greater positive changes in their religious practices, attitudes about their religions, and effectiveness as a religious leader, as well as in their non-religious attitudes, moods, and behavior," reported the investigators.

"Follow-up assessments showed that positive changes in religious and non-religious attitudes and behavior were sustained through 16 months after the second psilocybin session."

Participants rated at least one of their psilocybin experiences to be among the top 5 most spiritually significant (96%), profoundly sacred (92%), psychologically insightful (83%), and psychologically meaningful (79%) of their lives.

About the Journal

Psychedelic Medicine is the first peer-reviewed journal to publish original research papers on every aspect of psychedelic medicine, including basic science, clinical, and translational research, as well as medical applications. This journal provides a vital resource for clinicians and patients alike who are invested in the potential efficacy of psychedelic drugs currently undergoing research in preclinical and clinical studies as an alternative or supplement to traditionally manufactured pharmaceuticals to treat depression, anxiety, addiction, demoralization, and other mental health conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

What is psilocybin and where does it come from?

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in more than 200 species of mushrooms, often called magic mushrooms. Once swallowed, the body converts it into psilocin, which acts on serotonin receptors in the brain and alters perception, mood, and thinking for several hours.

Is psilocybin legal in the United States?

Psilocybin remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, so it is illegal to possess or distribute outside approved research. Some states, including Oregon and Colorado, have created regulated programs for supervised adult use, and several cities have lowered enforcement priorities, so rules vary widely by location.

Who should avoid psilocybin therapy?

People with a personal or strong family history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other psychotic conditions are usually excluded from psilocybin trials. Those with uncontrolled high blood pressure or serious heart conditions are also screened out, since psilocybin can briefly raise heart rate and blood pressure.

Can psilocybin interact with prescription medications?

Yes. Antidepressants such as SSRIs can weaken the effects of psilocybin, while combining it with lithium has been linked to reports of seizures. Anyone taking prescription medication should speak with a doctor before considering any psychedelic treatment and should never stop a medication without medical guidance.

Is psilocybin addictive?

Research shows psilocybin has a low potential for addiction and does not typically cause compulsive use. Tolerance builds quickly after repeated doses, which makes frequent use less effective, but the main risks involve psychological distress, risky behavior while under its effects, and use in unsafe settings.

What happens during a supervised psilocybin session?

After screening and preparation meetings, the person takes psilocybin in a calm, comfortable room, often lying down with eyeshades and music. One or two trained facilitators stay present for the entire session, which usually lasts six to eight hours, and follow-up integration meetings help the person reflect on the experience.

What is a mystical experience in psychedelic research?

In psychedelic studies, a mystical experience refers to a sense of unity, sacredness, deep peace, and insight that feels difficult to describe in words. Researchers measure it with validated questionnaires, and stronger mystical experiences are often linked to greater and longer lasting improvements in mood and well-being.

Is psilocybin being studied for people with serious illness or disability?

Yes. Clinical trials have tested psilocybin for depression and anxiety in people with cancer, demoralization in long-term HIV survivors, and treatment-resistant depression. Early results are promising, but researchers stress that larger studies are still needed to confirm safety and effectiveness across different health conditions and age groups.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The clergy study is one of the last projects associated with Roland Griffiths, whose work at Johns Hopkins helped bring psilocybin research back into mainstream science, and it stands out for looking at people whose whole working lives revolve around spiritual questions. The participants did not come away rejecting their traditions. Instead, most reported a deeper connection to their own faith and more confidence in their pastoral work, which suggests these experiences can strengthen existing beliefs rather than replace them. The fact that nearly half found some moments very difficult is a reminder that screening, preparation, and trained guides are not optional extras. With a small sample and participants who knew whether they had received the drug, larger and more varied trials are still needed. Even so, the research gives chaplains, counselors, and clinicians useful evidence as legal psilocybin programs expand and more people, including older adults and those living with chronic illness or disability, ask whether these therapies might help with distress, demoralization, and questions of meaning.*

Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News and published on 9 Jun 2025, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.