Cannabis, Meditation, and Psychedelics: Insights for Healing

A recent study¹ has shed light on the profound, transformative experiences that can arise from both psychedelic substances and meditation, revealing surprising similarities between the two. Published in the journal Consciousness and Cognition, the research delved into the personal insights people gained from these experiences and how those moments of clarity were linked to their overall well-being.  The findings suggest that transformative experiences, often associated with classic psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, are not exclusive to these substances and can be accessed through various methods, including meditation.

While this study examined transformative experiences across meditation and a wide range of psychoactive substances, cannabis was grouped within the “non-classic psychedelics.”  This means the findings do not focus on cannabis alone, but they do provide valuable context for understanding how cannabis fits within a larger spectrum of mind-altering practices and medicines.  When considered alongside historical evidence of cannabis use for healing and ritual, these insights highlight its potential contribution to mental health research.

How Psychedelics and Meditation Shape Transformative Insights

At the heart of these transformative experiences are “insights,” which the study defines as more than just intellectual “aha” moments.  Instead, they are profound feelings of understanding that can lead to radical shifts in perception, worldview, and even personal beliefs.  Researchers collected detailed narrative reports from 147 individuals who had personally meaningful psychedelic experiences and 66 who had similar experiences through meditation.

Through a careful analysis of these stories, three main categories of insights emerged:

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Meditation vs Psychedelics: Similar Paths to Transformation

One of the most surprising findings of the study was how similar the insights were across both psychedelic and meditation experiences.  Aside from mystical-type insights being more frequent in meditation reports, the overall landscape of transformative experiences was remarkably consistent.  This supports the “principle of causal indifference,” an idea proposed by early scholars of mystical experiences, which suggests that the profound nature of the experience doesn’t depend on how it was triggered.

The study also found that these insights were linked to tangible improvements in well-being.  For example, psychological and philosophical value insights were associated with increases in positive feelings, while mystical-type insights were linked to a greater sense of meaning in life.  The absence of any insight was, conversely, linked to a decrease in positive feelings and meaning.

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Psychoactive Substances, Cannabis, and Modern Medicine

The study’s inclusion of non-classic psychedelics like MDMA, ketamine, and cannabis, and its finding of only minor differences between them and classic psychedelics, adds to a growing body of research that is expanding our understanding of these substances.

Historically, plants with psychoactive properties have been used for millennia in spiritual and medicinal contexts.  Cannabis, for instance, has a history stretching back 12,000 years, first domesticated in East Asia and used in ancient cultures from China to Greece for a variety of purposes, including religious ceremonies and treating ailments.

Today, we are in the midst of a “psychedelic renaissance,” with modern science revisiting the therapeutic potential of these compounds.  Researchers at institutions like Johns Hopkins and NYU are exploring how substances like psilocybin and MDMA can be used in controlled, therapeutic settings to treat conditions such as depression, PTSD, addiction, and end-of-life anxiety.  This new paradigm emphasizes the importance of “set and setting”—the mindset of the individual and the environment of the experience—in facilitating positive outcomes.

Emerging research also points to the potential of cannabis and psychedelics in treating complex conditions like eating disorders.  Preliminary studies suggest that these substances may help by improving body image, promoting cognitive flexibility, and processing trauma.  For some with anorexia, the appetite-stimulating properties of cannabis, when used in a therapeutic context, could be a helpful tool in the refeeding process.

It is also important to acknowledge the study’s limitations. Because cannabis was analyzed as part of the non-classic psychedelic group, the results cannot be taken as cannabis-specific.  Instead, they illustrate overlapping themes of insight and well-being across several substances.  Future research that isolates cannabis more directly will be necessary to confirm how consistently these effects occur in therapeutic or clinical contexts.

The journey from ancient ritual to modern medicine is a long one, but studies like this one are crucial in mapping the terrain.  By carefully and systematically exploring the nature of transformative experiences, we can better understand the mind and uncover new pathways to healing and well-being.

References:

^{1. Jylkkä, J., Väyrynen, H., Lin, E., Walldén, C., Krabbe, A., Kähönen, J., & Sikka, P. (2025). Meditation and psychedelics facilitate similar types of mystical, psychological, and philosophical-existential insights predictive of wellbeing: a qualitative-quantitative approach. Consciousness and Cognition, 133, 103901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2025.103901}