Do Classic Psychedelics Cause Lasting Personality Changes?
Can Psychedelics Change a Person’s Personality?
Some studies link classic psychedelic experiences with small shifts in personality traits, especially openness and neuroticism. That does not mean a psychedelic reliably changes a person’s character. Personality can change through many life events, relationships, and forms of therapy, and current research cannot separate all of those factors (1) (2).
Researchers use the term classic psychedelics to describe substances such as psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca. These substances may create intense changes in thought, feeling, and perception. People sometimes report a new sense of meaning after an experience. A report of change is important, but it is not proof of a lasting or universal effect.
What Does the Research Say About Openness?
Openness refers to curiosity, imagination, and interest in new ideas or experiences. An updated review of 48 studies found that increased openness was one of the most common changes reported after classic psychedelic use. The review also said the evidence is mixed and needs stronger, longer studies (2).
A 2026 PsyPost report summarized that same review for a general audience. It noted that the most consistent findings involved higher openness and lower neuroticism, yet it also described problems such as self-report bias, small samples, and participant expectations (1). Those limits matter when people draw broad conclusions from a personal story.
What Does Neuroticism Mean in These Studies?
Neuroticism is a research term for a tendency to experience frequent negative emotion, such as worry, sadness, or emotional reactivity. It is not a diagnosis or a judgment about a person. Some studies report lower neuroticism after psychedelic experiences, but that pattern does not show that a substance caused a durable change (2).
For example, a study of 256 people attending ayahuasca ceremonies found that participants reported lower neuroticism three months later (3). The study did not include a placebo group or random assignment. The ceremony, the group setting, the retreat, and expectations may all have shaped the results. The authors named those limits.
Are the Changes Lasting?
Researchers do not yet know how long reported changes last for most people. Some studies follow participants for weeks or months, not years. They often involve small groups who chose to take part. That makes it hard to know whether results would look the same in a larger, more varied population (2) (3).
A prospective online study also found changes in social connection and anxiety-related measures among adults planning naturalistic psychedelic use (4). The researchers could not prove cause and effect. The changes may reflect the person’s goals, social support, the event itself, or other life changes. Good science treats those possibilities seriously.
Why Does Context Matter So Much?
Context includes a person’s mental health, relationships, expectations, setting, and the support they receive after a meaningful event. Those factors can shape how someone understands an experience and what they do next. A person may feel more open for a time, then learn that daily habits and relationships also need attention.
This is one reason researchers do not describe psychedelics as personality-repair tools. A good study may show a pattern worth testing. It does not create a promise. It also cannot tell an individual whether an experience will feel helpful, distressing, or neither. People with mental-health concerns should seek care designed for their needs.
How Can Therapy Support Personal Growth?
Therapy can offer a calm setting to explore changes in values, beliefs, identity, or relationships. It does not require a person to have used a substance. If a past experience has brought up difficult questions, a therapist can help build grounding skills and connect insight with everyday choices.
Serenity offers psychedelic integration therapy for people who want to process a prior experience safely. You can also read about whether one psilocybin experience may change personal values. Neither resource is a substitute for medical or psychiatric care when that care is needed.
Disclaimer: The information in this article, including discussions of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, is for informational purposes only. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has not been approved by all established. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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About the Author
About the Author: This article was written by Jeff Jones, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas in practice since 1999. He is a 2024 graduate of the CIIS Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research program. With a compassionate and evidence-based approach, he helps clients navigate life's challenges and find a path toward healing.