Stoned Preachers: Effects of Psilocybin on Religious and Spiritual Attitudes

Author: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News
Published: 2025/06/09 - Updated: 2025/06/11
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed, Randomized Trial
Category Topic: Disability and Religion - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This paper reports a peer-reviewed exploratory trial - in the journal Psychedelic Medicine - investigating the effects of psilocybin on 29 psychedelic-naïve clergy from major world religions using a randomized, waitlist-controlled design. Participants received two supervised doses (20 mg/70 kg followed by 20 - 30 mg/70 kg), and six-month follow-up showed significantly enhanced religious practices, attitudes toward their faith, pastoral effectiveness, mood, behavior, and non-religious well-being when compared to a delayed control group. Remarkably, 96% rated at least one session among the top five most spiritually significant of their lives, with positive changes in attitudes and behavior sustained through 16 months; no serious adverse events occurred, although nearly half found some experiences highly challenging. This research is authoritative due to its peer-reviewed publication, rigorous methodology, and long-term follow-up, and it offers practical insight for mental-health professionals, seniors, and people with disabilities seeking holistic approaches that blend spiritual growth with emotional resilience - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

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.

Main Content

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.

You can read the full article here.

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.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: This research illuminates how carefully guided psychedelic experiences can foster lasting spiritual insight, improved well-being, and vocational clarity among religious leaders - suggesting a profound intersection between neuroscience, pastoral care, and emotional health. While broader and more diverse trials are needed, this study lays a strong foundation for integrating psilocybin into therapeutic settings that support both psychological and spiritual dimensions of human experience. The study highlighted the potential of psilocybin-assisted experiences to foster lasting positive change in both religious and non-religious domains, suggesting that carefully supervised psychedelic therapy could offer new pathways for personal growth and well-being. As interest in alternative mental health interventions grows, such rigorous research provides valuable insights for healthcare professionals and faith communities alike, encouraging thoughtful consideration of psychedelics as part of holistic care - Disabled World (DW).

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 2025/06/09, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

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Cite This Page: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News. (2025, June 9 - Last revised: 2025, June 11). Stoned Preachers: Effects of Psilocybin on Religious and Spiritual Attitudes. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved October 2, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/communication/religion/clergy-psilocybin.php

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