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  • Magic mushrooms, friend or foe: deciphering the singular subjective experience with psilocybin in portuguese population
    Publication . Hurevich, Maryia; Alves, Sónia; Ribeiro, Ana Marta Botelho
    This study aimed to investigate the subjective psychological effects of psilocybin use in a Portuguese population, with a secondary focus on gender differences in these experiences. A retrospective mixed-methods approach was used, drawing on data from the "Epidemiology of Psychedelic Drug Consumption in Portugal" project conducted at Fernando Pessoa University. The sample comprised 120 participants (60 men, 60 women), aged 18-67, who reported using psilocybin in the past year. Data were collected through an online questionnaire from February 2022 to February 2023, which assessed experience intensity, clarity, personal significance, and impact using a 5-point scale. Thematic analysis was performed on responses to an open-ended question regarding the experience. Results indicated that personal transformation was the most prominent theme, encompassing healing, existential insights, and self-reflection. Emotional and psychological experiences ranged from joy and wonder to fear and anxiety, with positive emotions being more frequently reported. Physical sensations included both discomfort (e.g., nausea, pain) and pleasurable experiences. Connection and unity frequently involved a sense of interconnectedness with nature, other people, or mystical/spiritual experiences. Cognitive and perceptual changes encompassed altered sensory perception, time, and space, with some participants struggling to articulate these experiences. Quantitatively, participants rated their experiences highly across all dimensions: intensity (mean = 4.33), clarity (mean = 4.32), personal significance (mean = 4.45), and impact (mean = 4.25), indicating that these experiences were deeply meaningful and transformative. Gender differences were explored as a secondary objective, revealing that women reported more positive emotional experiences and physical discomfort, while men noted more spiritual or mystical connections. This study underscores the importance of considering individual variability in psilocybin experiences, which could inform personalized therapeutic approaches.
    2025-02-19Master thesis Open access Show more