Olteanu, W., & Moreton, S. G. (2025).
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1–9.
Abstract
There has been growing interest in understanding the psychological effects of psychedelic experiences, including their potential to catalyze significant shifts in moral cognition. This retrospective study examines how meaningful psychedelic experiences are related to changes in moral expansiveness and investigates the role of acute subjective effects as predictors of these changes. We found that meaningful psychedelic experiences were associated with self-reported increases in moral expansiveness. Changes in moral expansiveness were positively correlated with reported mystical experiences, ego dissolution, as well as feeling moved and admiration during the experience. Additionally, heightened moral expansiveness was associated with longer term shifts in the propensity to experience the self-transcendent positive emotions of admiration and awe. Future research should further investigate the mechanisms underlying these changes and explore how different types of psychedelic experiences might influence moral decision-making and behavior over time.
Here are some thoughts:
This article explores the relationship between psychedelic experiences and shifts in moral cognition, specifically moral expansiveness—the extent to individuals extend moral concern to a broader range of entities, including humans, animals, and nature. The study found that meaningful psychedelic experiences were associated with self-reported increases in moral expansiveness, with these changes linked to acute subjective effects such as mystical experiences, ego dissolution, and self-transcendent emotions like admiration and awe. The research suggests that psychedelics may facilitate profound shifts in moral attitudes by fostering feelings of interconnectedness and unity, which endure beyond the experience itself.
This study is important for practicing psychologists as it highlights the potential therapeutic and transformative effects of psychedelics on moral and ethical perspectives. Understanding these mechanisms can inform therapeutic approaches, particularly for clients struggling with rigid moral boundaries, lack of empathy, or disconnection from others and the environment. The findings also underscore the role of self-transcendent emotions in promoting prosocial behaviors and well-being, offering insights into interventions that could cultivate such emotions. However, psychologists must approach this area cautiously, considering the legal and ethical implications of psychedelic use, and remain informed about emerging research to guide clients responsibly. The study opens avenues for further exploration into how psychedelic-assisted therapy might address moral and relational challenges in clinical practice.
