TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - Narratives of the mystical among users of psychedelics
JO  - Acta sociologica
A1  - Pedersen, Willy
A1  - Copes, Heith
A1  - Gashi, Liridona
SP  - 230
EP  - 246
VL  - 64
IS  - 2
N2  - We are now witnessing a radical revival in clinical research on the use of psychedelics (e.g. LSD and psilocybin), where 'mystical' experiences are at the centre. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 50 psychedelic drug users, we document how they draw on archetypical mystical narratives, comprising three key dimensions: (1) the transcendence of time and space; (2) deep euphoria; and (3) the perception of being at one with 'a larger whole'. We suggest that the evolving new cultures around the use of psychedelics contain a variety of narratives, with clear roots in traditional mystical thinking. At the same time, these narratives reflect current cultural and political influences, including the narratives of oneness with plants and animals and our perceived need to protect nature. We conclude that the way people experience mystical occasions due to psychedelic use have archetypical patterns, but culturally specific storylines.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0001-6993
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0001699320980050
ID  - ref1
ER  -