This record provides bibliographic details and links to the original research. An editorial study breakdown is not available.
What the researchers found
Compared with placebo, psilocybin administered during a 5-day mindfulness retreat enhanced post-intervention mindfulness and produced larger positive changes in psychosocial functioning at a 4-month follow-up, corroborated by external ratings.
Why it matters
It is the only randomized, placebo-controlled trial to test meditation practice as the context surrounding a psilocybin session and to follow participants for four months.
The numbers in context
n = 39 meditators; psilocybin 315 ug/kg PO vs placebo; 5-day retreat; 4-month follow-up
How the study worked
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled administration of psilocybin (315 ug/kg PO) to experienced meditators during a 5-day mindfulness group retreat, with outcomes assessed post-intervention and at 4-month follow-up including external ratings.
Who was studied
Experienced meditators attending a 5-day mindfulness group retreat
What this study cannot tell us
Small sample of experienced meditators in a retreat setting, limiting generalizability to clinical populations or to standalone integration practice; outcomes are self-report and informant-rated rather than clinical endpoints.
Read the original research
Characterization and prediction of acute and sustained response to psychedelic psilocybin in a mindfulness group retreat.
Scientific reports, 9(1), 14914
Citation
Smigielski, Lukasz; Kometer, Michael; Scheidegger, Milan; Krahenmann, Rainer; Huber, Theo; Vollenweider, Franz X. (2019). Characterization and prediction of acute and sustained response to psychedelic psilocybin in a mindfulness group retreat.. Scientific reports, 9(1), 14914. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-50612-3