Faith, Spirit, and Psychedelics: Exploring a Changing Landscape

For centuries, human beings have sought meaning, connection, and understanding through both religious traditions and spiritual practices. In recent times, a renewed interest in psychedelic substances like psilocybin (from mushrooms) and LSD has sparked conversations about how these experiences might intersect with our deepest beliefs about life, the universe, and our place within it. For individuals curious about psychedelic psychotherapy but perhaps uncertain due to their existing faith or spiritual views, understanding what current research says can be both enlightening and reassuring. One common question is whether using psychedelics leads people to abandon their religion or, conversely, become more spiritual. A recent article published by Psypost, discussing a study in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, sheds some light on this complex topic (Dolan, 2025). The findings are nuanced, suggesting that while psychedelic use might be linked to people moving away from formal religious affiliations, it doesn't necessarily mean they become less spiritual. Let's explore what this means and why it might be the case.

Defining Religion and Spirituality

Before diving into the research, it's helpful to understand that while often used interchangeably, religion and spirituality can refer to different aspects of human experience. Religion often involves a structured system of beliefs, rituals, and practices shared by a community, frequently centered around a specific deity or deities and sacred texts. It provides a framework for understanding the world, moral guidelines, and a sense of belonging. Think of established churches, synagogues, mosques, or temples – these are typically expressions of organized religion. Spirituality, on the other hand, is often described as a more personal and individual search for meaning, purpose, and connection to something larger than oneself. This could be a connection to nature, humanity, the universe, or a higher power that isn’t necessarily defined by a specific religious doctrine. Someone can be spiritual without being religious, finding their sense of awe and interconnectedness in personal meditation, time spent in nature, or through acts of compassion, rather than through formal religious services or texts. Conversely, someone can be religious and also deeply spiritual, finding that their faith tradition enriches their personal spiritual journey. Understanding this distinction is key when looking at how psychedelic experiences might influence an individual. An experience that challenges one aspect (e.g., specific religious doctrines) might not necessarily diminish the other (e.g., a personal sense of spiritual connection).

What the Research Suggests: A Shift from Affiliation, Not Necessarily Spirit

The study highlighted by Psypost, authored by Aaron D. Cherniak and colleagues, examined data from large groups of people over time to see if psychedelic use was linked to changes in their religious beliefs or spiritual identity (Dolan, 2025). The researchers looked at two large birth cohort studies in the United Kingdom and a longitudinal survey in the U.S. and U.K. Their findings were quite interesting. They discovered that individuals who had used classic psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin were more likely to report being religiously unaffiliated, both in their childhood and as adults. More specifically, psychedelic users were more likely to have shifted away from a religious identity they held in childhood to having no religious affiliation in adulthood – a process termed religious disaffiliation. However, when it came to spirituality, the picture was different. The study did not find evidence that psychedelic use led to significant changes in how spiritual people considered themselves to be over time. While those who had recently used psychedelics were slightly more likely to identify as spiritual at the outset of one part of the study, their level of spirituality remained relatively stable over a two-month follow-up period, regardless of psychedelic use. It's also noteworthy that the study found similar patterns of religious disaffiliation among users of other illicit substances, not just psychedelics. This suggests that the move away from organized religion might be part of a broader pattern related to substance use or other social factors, rather than something uniquely caused by psychedelics themselves. This is an important point for those considering psychedelic therapy – the experience itself may not be the sole driver of such shifts, but rather one factor among many that can influence a person's worldview.

Why Might Psychedelics Be Linked to Religious Disaffiliation?

While the research doesn't give definitive answers to why these shifts occur, we can explore some possibilities based on the nature of psychedelic experiences and what people often report. Psychedelic experiences are often described as profoundly personal and introspective. They can lead individuals to question long-held beliefs and assumptions about themselves and the world. For some, this might involve a re-evaluation of the religious doctrines they were raised with. If an individual has a powerful, direct experience that feels deeply meaningful and true to them, but perhaps doesn't align neatly with the teachings of their formal religion, they might feel a pull away from that religious structure. Experiences of interconnectedness, oneness with the universe, or profound love and acceptance are commonly reported during psychedelic sessions. These experiences can feel intensely spiritual. For some, this personal, experiential spirituality might feel more authentic or resonant than the rituals and doctrines of organized religion. They might feel they’ve touched a universal truth that transcends any single religious path, leading them to identify more with a broader sense of spirituality rather than a specific religious affiliation. It’s also possible that the questioning nature often spurred by psychedelics leads individuals to critically examine institutions in general, including religious ones. If they perceive hypocrisy, rigidity, or a lack of personal relevance in their religious tradition, a psychedelic experience might amplify these feelings, contributing to disaffiliation. However, it's crucial to reiterate the study's finding that spirituality itself doesn't seem to diminish. This suggests that for many, a move away from formal religion isn't a move away from a sense of the sacred or a search for meaning. Instead, it might be a shift in how and where they find that meaning and connection. They may be seeking a more direct, personal, and less dogmatic path to spiritual fulfillment.

Reassurance for the Uncertain Seeker

For someone who values their religious faith but is also curious about the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, these findings might initially seem concerning. The idea of religious disaffiliation might sound like a loss of faith. However, the research offers a more hopeful perspective: the core sense of spirituality, the personal connection to something greater, often remains or may even be perceived differently. It’s important to remember that psychedelic experiences are deeply influenced by “set and setting” – the mindset of the individual and the environment in which the experience takes place. In a therapeutic context, the intention is healing and self-understanding. If an individual approaches psychedelic therapy with a desire to deepen their spiritual understanding within their existing faith, or to reconcile personal experiences with their religious beliefs, the therapy can be guided to support that. Many people find that psychedelic experiences can actually enhance their appreciation for the mystical or contemplative aspects of their own religious traditions, leading to a richer and more personal faith, rather than an abandonment of it. Furthermore, the lead researcher of the study, Aaron Cherniak, emphasized that “Psychedelic experiences are deeply personal. Whether they lead to more spiritual openness or disillusionment often depends on factors like your personality, your beliefs before the experience, and your intentions for using them” (Dolan, 2025). This underscores that the outcome isn't predetermined. For someone with a strong religious foundation, a psychedelic experience could potentially lead to a renewed sense of connection to their faith, perhaps by providing a profound personal experience of what their religion teaches in a more abstract way.

The Path Forward: Personal Exploration and Integration

For those uncertain about psychedelic psychotherapy due to their religious or spiritual beliefs, the key takeaway is that these experiences are not inherently anti-religious. While some individuals may move away from formal religious structures, this is often accompanied by a sustained or even enhanced sense of personal spirituality. The journey is unique to each person. If you are considering this path, it’s important to:

1. Educate Yourself: Continue to learn from reputable sources about psychedelic therapy, its potential effects, and how it interacts with personal beliefs.
2. Clarify Your Intentions: What are you seeking from this experience? If your faith is important to you, how might this experience support or deepen your spiritual life? Discussing these intentions with a therapist is crucial.
3. Seek Qualified Guidance: Ensure you are working with trained professionals who understand the psychological and spiritual dimensions of psychedelic experiences and can help you integrate them in a way that is meaningful and supportive of your overall well-being, including your spiritual or religious life.
4. Remember Individuality: Your experience will be your own. While research provides valuable insights into general trends, it cannot predict exactly how you will respond or what changes, if any, will occur in your beliefs.

The landscape of faith, spirituality, and psychedelic exploration is evolving. What seems clear is that these powerful experiences can act as catalysts for profound personal reflection. For some, this may lead to a re-evaluation of formal religious ties. For many, however, the underlying quest for meaning, connection, and spiritual understanding continues, often in ways that are deeply personal and enriching. The goal of psychedelic psychotherapy, ultimately, is to support healing and growth, and this can certainly include a more profound and authentic spiritual life, however an individual chooses to define and pursue it.

Disclaimer: Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy has not been approved by any regulatory agencies in the United States, and the safety and efficacy are still not formally established at the time of this writing.

References

Dolan, E. W. (2025, May 13). Psychedelics linked to religious disaffiliation—but not spiritual change—in large-scale study. PsyPost. https://www.psypost.org/psychedelics-linked-to-religious-disaffiliation-but-not-spiritual-change-in-large-scale-study/