Motives and Meanings in Psychedelic Use

This thesis examines two underexplored determinants of psychological outcomes in ketamine treatment and naturalistic psychedelic use: acute subjective experience and user motivation. Study 1 synthesised qualitative evidence on the acute experience of ketamine treatment for mental health problems. A systematic review of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase identified eight eligible studies from 675 records. Thematic synthesis generated five interrelated domains: altered perception, altered emotion, detachment, transcendent connectedness, and meaning-making. Clinically salient features included affective shifts, relaxed self-schemas, self-transcendent emotions, and possible malleability of autobiographical memory. Challenging psychological experiences and mild adverse physical effects were also evident, highlighting the importance of psychological support and attention to set and setting. Overall, the acute ketamine experience appeared to range from disconnection from body, self, and world to emotionally significant states of connectedness with potential therapeutic value. Study 2 examined whether motives for psychedelic use are differentially associated with depressive symptoms. Secondary analysis of the 2023 Global Psychedelic Survey (N = 5,943) used latent class analysis of six motive indicators and identified five profiles: Well-being Expansionists, Recreational users, Serious Explorers, Ambivalent users, and Health-Oriented users. Compared with Expansionists, all other classes reported higher PHQ-8 depressive symptoms, with Ambivalent users showing particularly elevated odds of probable depressive episode. Among past-year users, frequent use appeared more detrimental for non-expansion profiles, while using with close companions appeared more favourable than using alone for Recreational users.<p></p>

Author dc:creator

• Michael Begley (21037568)

• ketamine experience
• motives for psychedelic use

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved
• Open Access after 2027-03-09

Identifier

10779/exe.31584634.v1

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:figshare.com:article/31584634