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Classic Psychedelics and Human–Animal Relations

Author

Listed:
  • Elin Pöllänen

    (Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
    Center for Social Sustainability, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences & Society, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden)

  • Walter Osika

    (Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
    Center for Social Sustainability, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences & Society, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden)

  • Cecilia U. D. Stenfors

    (Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, 114 19 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Otto Simonsson

    (Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
    Center for Social Sustainability, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences & Society, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
    Department of Sociology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 1JD, UK)

Abstract

Previous research has found associations between classic psychedelic use and nature-relatedness, but the link between classic psychedelic use and human–animal relations remains largely unexplored. Using data representative of the US adult population, with regard to age, sex and ethnicity (N = 2822), this pre-registered study assessed lifetime classic psychedelic use, ego dissolution during respondents’ most intense experience using a classic psychedelic, and three measures related to human–animal relations: speciesism, animal solidarity and desire to help animals. The results showed that lifetime classic psychedelic use was negatively associated with speciesism ( β = −0.07, p = 0.002), and positively associated with animal solidarity ( β = 0.04, p = 0.041), but no association was found with desire to help animals ( β = 0.01, p = 0.542). Ego dissolution during the respondents’ most intense experience using a classic psychedelic was negatively associated with speciesism ( β = −0.17, p < 0.001), and positively associated with animal solidarity ( β = 0.18, p < 0.001) and desire to help animals ( β = 0.10, p = 0.007). The findings indicate that classic psychedelics and ego dissolution may have an impact on human–animal relations. As these results cannot demonstrate causality, however, future studies should use longitudinal research designs to further explore the potential causal link between classic psychedelic use and human–animal relations.

Suggested Citation

  • Elin Pöllänen & Walter Osika & Cecilia U. D. Stenfors & Otto Simonsson, 2022. "Classic Psychedelics and Human–Animal Relations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-10, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:8114-:d:854043
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hannes Kettner & Sam Gandy & Eline C. H. M. Haijen & Robin L. Carhart-Harris, 2019. "From Egoism to Ecoism: Psychedelics Increase Nature Relatedness in a State-Mediated and Context-Dependent Manner," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-23, December.
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