Image Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
The world lost a true pioneer and visionary when Dr. Roland Griffiths, a renowned figure in the field of psychopharmacology, passed away from cancer. Dr. Griffiths dedicated his life to studying the profound effects of psychoactive substances, especially psychedelics—with a special focus on psilocybin— a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms. Dr. Griffith’s research has left an indelible mark on the scientific community, offering invaluable insights into the human mind and the potential for psychedelics to foster mental well-being, personal growth, spiritual significance, and therapeutic benefits. In honor of Dr. Griffiths’ remarkable contributions, we invite you to explore some of his most influential work, which has helped shape the contemporary understanding of psilocybin and its impact on the human psyche.
In 2006 Dr. Griffiths was the lead author on the groundbreaking study— Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance. In the piece, Dr. Griffiths and his team explored the capacity of psilocybin to induce mystical-type experiences with enduring personal and spiritual significance. The research suggested similar findings to the famous “Good Friday Experiments” performed at Marsh Chapel in the 1963 by Dr. Walter Pankhe as well as the follow up study of the Marsh Chapel Good Friday Experiments performed by Dr. Rick Doblin. In 2006, the article published in the medical journal, Psychopharmacology, shed light on the profound nature of these experiences and their lasting impact on individuals. Read the article here.[1]
In 2008, Dr. Griffiths and his team followed up there 2006 study with the article— Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later. This time published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology Dr. Griffiths and his team dove in the long-lasting effects of psilocybin-induced mystical experiences. The focus was on how these psychedelic-induced mystical-type experiences mediated the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance over time, leaving lasting positive, beneficial effects. Read the article here.[2]
Dr. Griffiths continued his exploration of mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin in 2011 with the article— Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects. This study investigated the immediate and persisting dose-related effects of psilocybin and its induced mystical-type experiences. Published in Psychopharmacology, the articles offered a comprehensive look at both the short-term and long-term effects of this powerful compound. Read the article here.[3]
In 2016 Dr. Griffiths and his team worked on a double-blind clinical trial treating existential depression and anxiety in patients living with life threatening cancer diagnosis. The article published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology was entitled— Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial. Dr. Griffiths and his team conducted this groundbreaking double-blind trial, which demonstrated substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer. Published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, this research highlights the therapeutic potential of psilocybin. Read the article here.[4]
In 2018, Dr. Griffiths and his team again published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, this time exploring the synergy between psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experiences and meditation. The article— Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience in combination with meditation and other spiritual practices produces enduring positive changes in psychological functioning and in trait measures of prosocial attitudes and behaviors— revealed insight into the enduring positive changes in psychological functioning and prosocial attitudes caused by psilocybin. The work emphasized the holistic benefits of psilocybin in conjunction with spiritual and well-being practices like meditation. Read the article here.[5]
In 2019, Dr. Griffiths and his colleagues asked a thought-provoking question at the center of much of Dr. Griffith’s work with psilocybin. In the study entitled— Survey of subjective” God encounter experiences”: Comparisons among naturally occurring experiences and those occasioned by the classic psychedelics— psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, or DMT— the survey compared naturally occurring experiences with those induced by classic psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, or DMT. This study contributed to the ongoing discourse surrounding altered states of consciousness, the subjective experiences produced, and the human experiences of religious encounter and mystical-type experiences found across a variety of cultural applications of psychedelics. Read the article here.[6]
Dr. Roland Griffiths’ research has significantly contributed to the contemporary understanding of the potential of psilocybin and other psychedelics to facilitate profound experiences with enduring personal meaning and spiritual significance. His work has not only expanded our knowledge but also paved the way for further research and the exploration of therapeutic applications of these critical substances. As we honor his memory, let us continue to honor his legacy, embracing the incredible possibilities that his work has unveiled for the benefit of all beings.
[1] Griffiths, R. R., Richards, W. A., McCann, U., & Jesse, R. (2006). Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance. Psychopharmacology, 187, 268-283. Hyperlink
[2] Griffiths, R. R., Richards, W. A., Johnson, M. W., McCann, U. D., & Jesse, R. (2008). Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later. Journal of psychopharmacology, 22(6), 621-632. Hyperlink
[3] Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W., Richards, W. A., Richards, B. D., McCann, U., & Jesse, R. (2011). Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects. Psychopharmacology, 218, 649-665. Hyperlink
[4] Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W., Carducci, M. A., Umbricht, A., Richards, W. A., Richards, B. D., … & Klinedinst, M. A. (2016). Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial. Journal of psychopharmacology, 30(12), 1181-1197. Hyperlink
[5] Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W., Richards, W. A., Richards, B. D., Jesse, R., MacLean, K. A., … & Klinedinst, M. A. (2018). Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience in combination with meditation and other spiritual practices produces enduring positive changes in psychological functioning and in trait measures of prosocial attitudes and behaviors. Journal of psychopharmacology, 32(1), 49-69. Hyperlink
[6] Griffiths, R. R., Hurwitz, E. S., Davis, A. K., Johnson, M. W., & Jesse, R. (2019). Survey of subjective” God encounter experiences”: Comparisons among naturally occurring experiences and those occasioned by the classic psychedelics psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, or DMT. PloS one, 14(4), e0214377. Hyperlink
About The Author
Connor Storck
Connor is currently pursuing his J.D. at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He expects to graduate from law school and sit for the bar in 2024. Before Law School, Connor received his MA in Religion along with a graduate research certificate in Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism from Rice University in 2021. His master thesis “Psychedelics and Religious Insight: A Precedent in American Psycho-Spirituality from William James to Timothy Leary” is published and available through Rice.
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