Magic mushrooms change personalities

A single dose of hallucinogen is capable of bringing about lasting personality changes, as shown in a recent study led by Roland R. Griffiths, psychiatry professor at the Hopkins School of Medicine.

Of the 51 participants in the study, around 60 percent experienced personality changes that lasted over a year after taking a single dosage of psilocybin, the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms."

The drug specifically affects the "openness" of personality, which includes feelings, broad-mindedness, aesthetics and imagination. The study found that the large change in openness caused by the drug was more drastic than personality changes that occur over decades in normal, healthy adults. Moreover, the perceived increase in openness was at odds with the typical decrease in openness in most aging adults over age 30.

Psilocybin is a psychoactive drug similar to LSD in its effects, including altered thinking processes, perceptual changes, altered time sense, spiritual experiences, nausea and panic attacks. It is a natural substance found in many species of mushrooms. When taken, it is absorbed through the lining of the mouth and stomach.

Inside the body, psilocybin acts as a partial agonist of neurotransmitters of the serotonin pathway, which means it is only partially effective when binding to a receptor. Serotonin receptors are located in the cerebral cortex of the brain and are responsible for regulating mood and motivation.

At low dosages, the drug causes enhanced perception of colors and shapes. Affected individuals tend to see multi-colored geometric shapes and experience synesthesia, the involuntary response of one sensory or cognitive pathway to another such pathway. At higher doses, experiences become more introspective. At any dose, experiences could be positive or negative.

In this study, participants were randomly given either a moderate or high dose of psilocybin during one of their eight-hour long sessions. At each session, participants were given eye masks and headphones to help block out external stimuli and to focus on their inner experiences.

Personality was assessed before start of the study, one to two months after each session, and 14 months after the last session. It was measured in terms of the five broad domains that psychologists use: openness, neuroticism, extroversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness.

According to psychologists, openness is the tendency to be imaginative, independent and open towards new ideas. Neuroticism includes feelings of calmness and security. Extroversion refers to sociability with others. Agreeableness describes one's willingness to trust others. Conscientiousness is the tendency to be organized and disciplined.

Only openness changed significantly during the experiment for more than half of the sample group. Furthermore, the lasting effect present 14 months after the experiment suggests that the personality change may be permanent. This was observed only in individuals who have undergone a "mystical experience," which was defined as "a sense of interconnectedness with all people and things accompanied by a sense of sacredness and reverence."

Griffiths anticipates using psilocybin for therapeutic purposes. He is currently exploring the option of using it to ameliorate depression and anxiety in cancer patients, and to help smokers overcome their addiction.

He also cautions about negative effects such as strong fear and anxiety that occurred during the session. Although no lasting harmful effects were noted, the usage of hallucinogens in less supervised environments may lead to worse effects.

Since nearly all participants considered themselves to be spiritually active, and over half had postgraduate degrees, it is doubtful how representative the subjects are of the general population. Nevertheless, all volunteers were psychologically healthy.