Exploring the Connection Between Psychedelics and Our Relationship with Nature
Article Title: “From Egoism to Ecoism: Psychedelics Increase Nature Relatedness in a State-Mediated and Context-Dependent Manner“
Authors: H. Kettner, Sam Gandy, E. Haijen, R. Carhart-Harris
Publication Date: December, 2019
Background
The increasing distance between humanity and the natural world is a phenomenon that correlates with mental health challenges as well as environmental degradation. Therefore, this research explored whether psychedelics could bridge this gap by enhancing an individual’s connection with nature.
Study Overview
The researchers initiated a prospective online study, enlisting individuals planning to engage with psychedelic substances to participate in a series of questionnaires. The study captured data both before and following their psychedelic experiences, to trace any evolution in their sense of nature connectedness over time frames extending up to two years after their psychedelic experience.
Key Findings
Their data revealed a positive correlation between the extent of participants’ prior psychedelic use and their initial degree of nature-relatedness. This relationship deepened significantly in the weeks following their psychedelic experiences and persisted to the two-year follow-up. This enhanced sense of unity with nature is related to increased psychological well-being (and indirectly physical well-being), dependent on the depth of ego-dissolution and the influence of natural surroundings during the psychedelic states. Overall, psychedelic experiences did seem to increase nature-relatedness and participants’ psychological well-being.
Discussion
These insights provide intriguing considerations about the use of psychedelics to potentially restore a sense of belonging and stewardship to the natural world, evoking implications for enhancing both environmental attitudes and mental health practices.
Implications
The study underlines the potential therapeutic value of psychedelics beyond personal healing — as a means to foster environmental consciousness and even care. The implications suggest that the feeling of oneness with the environment fostered through psychedelic experiences improves individual well-being and could inspire more sustainable behaviours and attitudes towards the planet.
Potential Application
This research paves the way for integrating the emotional and psychological benefits yielded by psychedelics with a deeper feeling of oneness with nature. Beyond individual wellness, this path may also encourage nurturing a more profound respect and care for the environment.
Conclusions
The study positions psychedelic experiences as potentially powerful catalysts for enhancing one’s sense of connection with nature, with long-lasting influences that may prove beneficial for individual well-being and environmental conservation efforts.
Reference:
Kettner, H., Gandy, S., Haijen, E., & Carhart-Harris, R. (2019). From Egoism to Ecoism: Psychedelics Increase Nature Relatedness in a State-Mediated and Context-Dependent Manner. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(24), 5147. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16245147
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