Background: Psilocybin is a psychedelic substance which is contained within certain species of mushrooms. Research has identified that in addition to the acute psychedelic effects of psilocybin, there are longer-lasting consequences of psilocybin consumption, including change in personality, and reduction in depressive symptoms and substance use disorder. However, little research has investigated the acute and lasting effects of psilocybin consumption in the New Zealand population.

Aim: The present study aims to explore the extent of mystical experiences, meaningfulness, spiritual significance, and enduring changes in wellbeing resulting from recreational psilocybin experiences, and how these factors are affected by difficult or challenging experiences.

Method: A quantitative anonymous survey was distributed online by convenience sampling and was open between August 31, 2022 to November 5, 2022. 511 New Zealanders completed the survey. Participants completed the Mystical Experience Questionnaire 30 (MEQ30) and survey questions about the difficulty, meaningfulness, spiritual significance, and enduring changes to wellbeing as a result of the psilocybin experience. Participants could also provide open-ended written comments about their experience. Results: Participants reported high levels of mystical experiences (MEQ30 Total Average = 99.3), with 36.2% achieving Complete Mystical Experiences. High levels of meaningfulness, spiritual significance, enduring positive changes in wellbeing due to the psilocybin experience were also found, with a moderate number of participants having a challenging psilocybin experience. A Spearman’s rho correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations between all previously mentioned factors with a p < .001, except for the relationship between the estimated psilocybin dosage and enduring changes in wellbeing (p < .01), difficulty and enduring changes in wellbeing (p < .01), and between difficulty and positive mood (not significant). A slight difference was found between participants who achieved a Complete Mystical Experience, and those who did not.

Conclusion: This study provided an initial insight into the recreational psilocybin experiences of people in New Zealand, looking at the relationship between psilocybin experiences, challenging or otherwise, and their impact on personal meaning, spiritual significance, and enduring changes in wellbeing. The findings are consistent with prior research, indicating that both mystical and challenging experiences of higher intensity are associated with greater increases in personal meaning, spiritual significance, and lasting improvements in wellbeing.