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Psychedelics and health behaviour change.

Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
January 1, 2022
Pedro J Teixeira et al. (8 authors)
Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers explored the potential of psychedelic substances like psilocybin to promote positive lifestyle changes, including mindfulness practices, for improved health and well-being.

Results Summary

The abstract suggests that psilocybin may facilitate favourable behavioural changes in conditions marked by rigid patterns, such as depression and anxiety, but does not specifically report results on mindfulness.

Population

Patients with depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and other rigid behavioural patterns.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
healthful behaviours such as maintaining a balanced diet, being physically active and refraining from smoking
decrease
the risk of developing cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other serious conditions
-
-
have major impacts on
#1
psychedelic substances such as psilocybin
increase
positive lifestyle change conducive to good overall health
-
-
could be used to assist in promoting
#2
psilocybin
increase
patients with depression, anxiety and other conditions marked by rigid behavioural patterns, including substance (mis)use
patients with depression, anxiety and other conditions marked by rigid behavioural patterns, including substance (mis)use
-
has been shown to predict favourable changes in
#3
Therapeutic models including psychedelic experiences and common behaviour change methods (e.g., Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing)
neutral
addiction and eating disorders
-
-
are already being tested for
#4
this research
increase
improved diet, exercise, nature exposure and also mindfulness or stress reduction practices
-
-
may soon be extended to help promote
#5
Abstract

Healthful behaviours such as maintaining a balanced diet, being physically active and refraining from smoking have major impacts on the risk of developing cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other serious conditions. The burden of the so-called 'lifestyle diseases'-in personal suffering, premature mortality and public health costs-is considerable. Consequently, interventions designed to promote healthy behaviours are increasingly being studied, e.g., using psychobiological models of behavioural regulation and change. In this article, we explore the notion that psychedelic substances such as psilocybin could be used to assist in promoting positive lifestyle change conducive to good overall health. Psilocybin has a low toxicity, is non-addictive and has been shown to predict favourable changes in patients with depression, anxiety and other conditions marked by rigid behavioural patterns, including substance (mis)use. While it is still early days for modern psychedelic science, research is advancing fast and results are promising. Here we describe psychedelics' proposed mechanisms of action and research findings pertinent to health behaviour change science, hoping to generate discussion and new research hypotheses linking the two areas. Therapeutic models including psychedelic experiences and common behaviour change methods (e.g., Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing) are already being tested for addiction and eating disorders. We believe this research may soon be extended to help promote improved diet, exercise, nature exposure and also mindfulness or stress reduction practices, all of which can contribute to physical and psychological health and well-being.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HallucinogensHealth BehaviorHealthy LifestyleHumansMental DisordersMental HealthPsilocybin
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations41
Citations/Year13.7
Relative Citation Ratio5.80
NIH Percentile94.5%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.81
Normalized Score0.55
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Psychedelics and health behaviour change. | Panacea Index