Personality can be described as an “individual’s collection of interrelated behavioral, cognitive and emotional patterns that biological and environmental factors influence.” In other words, personality is what makes us, us. So, it makes sense that different personality traits can impact our psychedelic experiences; and vice versa, psychedelic experiences can have profound effects on our personalities. Let’s dive deeper into this interesting correlation.
The five personality traits
When discussing personality from a psychology standpoint, the most widely accepted theory is the Big Five Model, which categorizes personalities into five different types. Every trait is considered a spectrum with two extremes and some middle ground in between. Depending on your personality, you’ll fall somewhere on the spectrum.
The big five model:
Agreeableness: This is a measure of how well a person gets along with others. People who score high in agreeableness tend to be cooperative, warm, trusting, and will often lookout for the needs of others, whereas people who are low in this area might be more solitary, less interested in working with other people, and more skeptical of individuals and situations.
Conscientiousness: This trait explores how careful, intentional, self-disciplined, and organized a person is. A person who is very conscientious is not only driven and deliberate, but they have a high level of self-awareness. Conscientiousness is often used to predict employee productivity, since people who score low on this scale often struggle with regulation, structure, and follow-through.
Extraversion: Extraversion measures how social, outgoing, and energetic a person is. People who score high on this scale are considered to be extroverted, and people who get lower scores are said to be introverted. Introverts are typically quieter, more lowkey, independent, and sometimes shy. Introverts can be just as personable and charismatic as extroverts, but they often take a bit longer to warm up.
Openness: This category assesses a person’s openness to new experiences. People who measure high on the openness scale are often creative and imaginative, those head-in-the-clouds types. People who score low in this category can be closed off and more conventional, but also more practical, typically keeping order and sticking to routines.
Neuroticism: Also known as the stress response, neuroticism looks at an individual’s emotional stability and how they handle negative feelings and situations. It also measures a person’s general attitude towards life and how adaptable they are. People who are highly neurotic tend to have more self-doubt and anxiety, whereas less neurotic people are calm, laid-back, and confident.
How personality traits can alter psychedelic experiences
We already covered how DNA can impact a psychedelic trip, so in that same vein, let’s take a closer look at how personality traits can do the same. Using psilocybin, a team of researcher from University of Bergen in Norway conducted a study that examined the correlation between the aforementioned “big five” personality traits and different hallucinogenic responses. Their results were published in 2019 in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.
They noted a few interesting key points. For example, those who scored high in openness were more likely to experience “love, inner visions, and contact with non-ordinary beings and transcendent forces”. They also found that people who scored higher in extraversion reported deeper connections to others while using psychedelics. Interestingly, extraverts were also found to be “the least likely to encounter non-ordinary beings”. This is likely because they gravitate toward social interaction as opposed to more introspective experiences.
They also found, as expected, that people who scored high in the neuroticism category are more likely to experience bad trips. They concluded that “highly emotionally stable individuals are less likely to experience fear during a psychedelic trip and risk-takers are more likely to experience ego death or ego dissolution because they have a higher tendency to pursue extreme psychological experiences.”
How psychedelic drugs can change your personality
Just like the five personality traits can have affect your psychedelic experience, conversely, psychedelics can also have an impact on those personality traits. Recent findings suggest that psychedelics can increase openness and conscientiousness, and decrease neuroticism. One study titled ‘The Effects of Psilocybin Therapy on Personality Structure’, published by David Erritzo in the Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica in 2018, examined 20 patients with treatment resistant depression who had started using psilocybin.
First, they assessed the patients’ baseline personality traits using the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R), which includes multiple questions for each personality trait that can be answered on a scale from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”. Then, they gave each patient two doses of psilocybin, each one week apart. The first dose was 10mg, and the second dose was 25mg. And finally, the participants answered a series of follow up questions to see what their current state of mind was.
Most notably, the researchers saw a substantial decrease in neuroticism scores, and an increase in extraversion and openness scores. Conscientiousness scores also increased, but only marginally. And interestingly, agreeableness scores remained identical from the baseline assessment for all participants.
Although antidepressants can produce similar results, it’s not quite the same. It seems that psychedelic therapy can increase openness and extraversion in ways that other treatments simply have not been able to, and in a much shorter time frame. And when it comes to having those profound, life-altering psychedelic experiences, openness is the key personality trait, so they almost play off each other. The hallucinogens make you more open to experiences, and in turn, this openness make the psychedelic experience even better.
New studies suggest that even microdosing can change your personality for the better by helping to facilitate positive thinking and kick bad habits. For example, a study by Hannah Dressler et al., published in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies, found that 76 participants who were micrdosing psilocybin for 1 month benefitted tremendously from the practice. He noted that all of them reported an increase in conscientiousness and decrease in neuroticism. However, other personality traits such as agreeableness, openness, or extraversion remained the same. Which is interesting considering that studies on higher doses found somewhat different personality-related changes. The participants also reported feeling more organized, responsible, and determined, after microdosing, which helped them take on more daily, mundane tasks without wanting to quit.
Another noteworthy study published in the Journal of Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs earlier this year echoed the above research, but added that microdosing can make users feel more authentic, “providing fresh insights and the potential benefits of this practice”. The participants themselves reported feeling higher levels of authenticity on days they microdosed compared to the days they did not.
Another noteworthy study published in the Journal of Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs earlier this year echoed the above research, but added that microdosing can make users feel more authentic, “providing fresh insights and the potential benefits of this practice”. The participants themselves reported feeling higher levels of authenticity on days they microdosed compared to the days they did not.
Final thoughts
The impact of personality traits on psychedelic experiences is very important to consider in both recreational and medical settings. It can give you a better indication of how you’ll react to hallucinogenic drugs and what course of treatment (or fun) is best for your journey.
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It has become a popular gift with over 20% of the population putting it under the train. So we asked 3 wise man what to give (or consume) during the season.
The holiday season is a special time of year with a combination of Christmas, Hannakuh, and more are the modern hoildays descended from pagan holidays. Food, celebrations, gifts and a hint of something magical are all part of the holidays. With Christmas, the three wise men bring gifts to the baby Jesus being steered by a star. As we head into the last part of the season, why not think of the perfect gift to give or for yourself. We have three wise men give marijuana strain gift suggestions to share with our readers.
Terran Cooper, one of the rising stars of the industry and a part of the firm Falcon Rappaport & Berman who works in the cannabis industry. New York based, he says while there are several great strains, he has two to share for the holiday season.
One of my favorite day time strains, Pineapple Express has skyrocketed in popularity following the 2008 film by the same name. This strain is one of the more energetic strains that I’ve come across, allowing for a nice balance between productivity and relaxation this holiday season. Its joyful and uplifting effects may pair nicely with last minute holiday tasks in addition to any festivities. Though infrequent consumers beware – its relatively high THC content means that a little can go a long way.
Andrew Laub, managing partner of Keneh Ventures and CEO of Cannabition, is a leader in the industry and shared his favorites. Golden Goat is my secret to finding joy in any moment, especially during the holiday season. Its tropical, citrusy flavor is bright and uplifting, just like its effects. I love how it gives me an energized, creative boost without feeling overwhelming, making it perfect for everything from decorating the house to hosting friends. It’s my reminder to savor the fun and chaos of the holidays.
Granddaddy Purple is like my personal escape when the holiday rush gets overwhelming. I love its rich, grape-like flavor and how it helps me unwind at the end of a busy day. Whether I’m binge-watching holiday movies or enjoying quiet time by the fireplace, this strain makes everything feel a little cozier and more magical.
Sour Diesel is my motivation when there’s too much to do and not enough time. Its energizing, citrusy aroma wakes me up, and its focus-boosting effects help me tackle long to-do lists with ease. I love using it to power through holiday prep, whether I’m wrapping gifts, planning meals, or brainstorming creative ways to make the season special.
Online cannabis influencer Miguel a.k.a Miggy420 (@miggy420) believes consumption of cannabis is a personal experience with everyone being different. He sees the endocannabinoid system as unique as snowflakes in winter. Some smoke to wash away ills, others to wash away the ills of society. He shared his two favorites.
Vin Diesel Diesel is a sativa grown by Dewey’s Cultivars. Her beauty matches her taste with gassy hits reminiscent of early 2000 diesel strains I would buy in the traditional market. These growers come with a biochemical background and it shows with this plant, pure bliss – and this is coming from someone who prefers indicas.
If you’re looking for something post family events i.e you just realized the debt you incurred for the little ones or you’re just happy your conspiracy Uncle is gone, I recommend Gelato Cake by Agro Couture. This indica dominant hybrid will have your mind drifting away and able to focus on what it is you really wanted to do, hot box your bedroom and binge watch YouTube.
Enjoy these suggestions and may everyone have a great holiday season.
Lean into the joy of the holiday season with this merry cocktails – delight your taste buds and favorite people!
According to TikTok, it s the most wonderful, stressful, fun, boozy time of year. So why not lean into the season and make merry with something fun. Here are the best cocktails to make you feel festive, no matter what the situation. Plus, these are drinks you can make quickly with minimum effort and maximum fun. Pour one of these concoctions and have a moment of peace or share them with the one you like, love or tolerate at work. Sip, savor and bring a little ho ho ho into the moment.
Here is a way to settle into a cozy beverage which will warm your body and soul. Bourbon has been part of the holidays for generations…and you can make this a new tradition.
Ingredients
2ozbourbon
1/2oz simple syrup
2dashes bitters
2 dashes orange juice
Garnish: cinnamon stick and orange peel
Create
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and add ice
Stir for 20 seconds
Strain into a rocks glass with ice
Garnish with orange peel and a cinnamon stick
Easy, Tasty Egg Nog
You either you love it or hate it, but Egg Nog is a holiday staple. This recipe makes it lighter, tasty and a wee dangerous since it is so good. It bring a whole new take on a staid drink.
Ingredients
2 oz store bought egg nog
1ozmilk (2% is the best)
small splash vanilla
1 oz Licor 43
Create
Combine egg nog, milk and vanilla
Stir until well mixed
Add Licor 43 and stir again
Pour into a fun glass and enjoy
White Bishop
The Bishop’s Wife is a great holiday movie filled with the Christmas spirit and some never ending booze. This drink is an embraces the fun, warmth, snow, and spirit of the evening. Perfect as a dessert drink, a morning treat or just to lift your holiday mood.
Nothing says celebration like bubbles. Whether you use champagne or prosecco, this is bound to bring a smile to your face. And the poinsettia is Christmas tradition since
Ingredients
1/2ozorange liqueur
3oz cranberry juice
3oz of champagne or prosecco
Garnish with fresh cranberries
Create
Pour orange liqueur and cranberry juice into a chilled champagne flute
Roughly 25% of people are planning to give cannabis as a holiday gift….here are some practical suggestions to make it a success.
Last year was a watershed year for Santa with 1 in 4 planning to add cannabis into their gift giving, the trend is only going up in 2024. Since the plant has become mainstream (except for a few in DC), it is to be found under the tree, next to the menorah and during festive gatherings. Gen Z and Millennials are leading the trend with 78% (vs. 56% of Gen X and Boomers) in planning to include cannabis in their holiday plans. But you you want to do it right, here are the best tips if you are giving marijuana as a gift.
While giving alcohol is a long tradition, giving cannabis is does have some variances. To start, so far most can’t grab it out of personal stock or fish it out of Christmas gifts already given for the year. While Costco, groceries stores and Total Wine are the booze top sellers, it can be also purchased in bodegas, gas stations and other locations. Cannabis still has to be purchased at specialized dispensaries.
First, plan ahead when you shop. The good news is most dispensaries keep hours similar to a grocery store – open by 9 am and closing around or after 10 pm. This makes dashing in for a last minute gift or squeezing it in during the day easy. Remember to bring cash, have a plan and chill out.
The good news isyou can’t seem to be “cheap” giving weed. Most edibles are in a small price range, whereas wine bought at a grocery stores can go for $6-$100. And the quality of the wine can vary greatly. Most edibles, including gummies, are within the same price point and potency while caring on quality. Wana Brands, one of the nation’s leading gummy makers, hits the mid spot on price. Also, unless you are doing a hefty gift basket, you are can give one or two items as a trail.
Never overestimate someone’s usage. Think about the recipient’s experience level and preferences when selecting cannabis gifts. For most, consider starting with low-dose or CBD-dominant products. Gummies, vapes, oil, or gift cards are all popular choices. Also, ask the budtender what the best sellers for mid level consumers.
If you are in the less than 50% of the population where legal cannabis is available, consider hemp beverages. It can provide a quick, similar high but is legal. In Texas, they are huge sellers and can be found in some Total Wines, local convenience stores and other locations.
Lastly, have a hint of discretion, it might not be the best public secret Santa gift, but gummies can be a fun White Elephant!