Personality and Psychedelic States: Investigations into Predictive Properties of Personality Traits on the Quality and Intensity of San Pedro Cactus Induced Altered States of Consciousness within a Ceremonial Context.
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2020-09-21
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en
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San Pedro, a mescaline containing psychedelic cactus, is used to induce altered states of consciousness during ceremonies, which, in turn, may have beneficial outcomes on well-being depending quality of the psychedelic experience. According to literature, the intensity and quality of psychedelic induced altered states of consciousness is related to pre-existing factors (e.g. personality traits). This study investigated whether various trait measures were predictive of measures of altered states of consciousness reported by participants of ceremonies in which preparations of San Pedro cacti were consumed. Participants (n = 36), were recruited via collaborating organization facilitating San Pedro ceremonies. Participants completed online surveys 1 week prior to the ceremony and within 24h after the ceremony. The data indicated that trait absorption, spirituality, searching for meaning and social desirability were predictive of certain phenomenological features underlying San Pedro induced altered states of consciousness. Evidence also supported trait absorption and neuroticism as predictors of adverse experiences. Explorative correlations with altered states of consciousness measures are reported for trait mindfulness and the remaining Big Five personality traits, openness, extraversion, conscientiousness, extraversion. The results highlight the predictive qualities of personality traits for psychedelic experiences in general, and San Pedro experiences specifically. These findings inform facilitators of psychedelic therapeutic interventions as to further good practice. Future research should try to validate current findings within a bigger sample and further investigate the intricacies between personality traits, differences in setting and psychedelic experiences.
Keywords: San Pedro, mescaline, psychedelics, ceremony, personality traits.
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen