Systematic Review Explores Psychedelics' Impact on Personality

Impact of Psychedelics on Personality Traits

A recent systematic review published on May 31, 2026, in an unknown venue, investigates the effects of classic psychedelics on personality traits. The review, registered under the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews ID CRD42024582704, updates previous findings by Bouso et al. (2018) and spans research from 2016 to 2024. The review focuses on classic psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, ayahuasca/dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and mescaline, and their impact on personality traits like Openness and Neuroticism.

Mechanisms and Context

Classic psychedelics are known to act as agonists at cortical serotonergic 5-HT2A receptors, which are believed to underlie changes in personality traits. The review analyzed 48 studies, including 14 experimental and 34 observational, using databases like PubMed, LILACS, PsycINFO, and SciELO. The studies employed various personality assessment tools, predominantly based on the Five-Factor Model, to evaluate changes in traits such as Openness, Neuroticism, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness.

Policy and Research Implications

The findings of increased Openness and reduced Neuroticism, particularly with psilocybin and ayahuasca, are significant for guiding clinical applications of psychedelics. These personality changes could potentially enhance therapeutic outcomes, especially in mental health treatments. The review emphasizes the need for diverse research designs, longer follow-up periods, and the incorporation of various personality models to deepen our understanding of psychedelics' effects on personality.

Risks and Unknowns

While the review presents promising results, it also highlights the variability in changes to other personality traits such as Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. Additionally, microdosing showed only modest effects, indicating that more research is needed to fully understand its impact. The potential for lasting personality changes raises ethical considerations, necessitating careful monitoring and regulation in clinical settings.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, future research should aim to integrate experimental and naturalistic study designs to provide a comprehensive view of how psychedelics influence personality. By extending follow-up periods and exploring diverse personality models, researchers can better inform clinical practices and policies. This approach will help ensure that the therapeutic use of psychedelics is both effective and safe, ultimately benefiting public health.