Exploring practitioners’ perceptions of health behavior changes associated with psychedelic experiences
The most common health behaviour changes that psychedelic practitioners notice in their clients are contemplative practices and time spent in nature.
This study aimed to explore — from the perspective of practitioners — whether and how psychedelic experiences are associated with changes in health-related behaviours in their clients or patients.
“In addition to evidence supporting the use of psychedelics in treating alcohol and tobacco misuse, emerging research suggests that psychedelic experiences may also facilitate beneficial changes in other health behaviors, such as diet, exercise, and meditation.
This retrospective, survey-based study explored perceived health behavior changes following psychedelic experiences, from the perspective of 96 psychedelic practitioners, working in both legal and underground contexts. Practitioners reported on perceived changes in their clients’ or patients’ behaviors, including physical activity, diet and nutrition, contemplative practices, and time spent in nature, as well as on their own behavior changes, and potential mechanisms underlying these changes. Behaviors with the highest proportion of clients perceived as having changed in a positive direction included contemplative practices (61.4%), time spent in nature (60.1%), eating patterns (56.9%), and diet and nutrition (56%).
These findings suggest that practitioners often perceive psychedelic experiences as associated with positive health behavior change. Future research is needed to validate these findings, explore the extent and mechanisms of potential changes, and assess whether such effects are sustained over the long-term. Understanding these effects may help inform future behavior change interventions and public health policy.”
Comments:
Among practitioners who perceived changes, the most commonly reported positive changes in clients were:
Contemplative practices (e.g. meditation, mindfulness): ~61.4% reported clients increased these
Time spent in nature: ~60.1% saw clients spending more time in natural settings post-experience.
Eating patterns / diet and nutrition: ~56–57% reported improvements in clients’ diet or nutrition.
Physical activity: Some practitioners also observed increases in exercise or more active lifestyles, though this was less consistent than the above categories.
Other reported changes among clients included reductions in harmful behaviours (e.g. decreased alcohol or tobacco use) and increased engagement in meaningful social / personal activities, though these were less commonly reported relative to the top categories
The study suggests that facilitators see psychedelic experiences as often associated with positive shifts in a range of health-promoting behaviours — not just mental health outcomes, but broader lifestyle changes (diet, nature exposure, contemplative practices, physical activity). The authors suggest psychedelics could be part of a public-health–oriented strategy for improving lifestyle and resilience.
Carvalho, L.C., Encantado, J., van Elk, M. et al. Exploring practitioners’ perceptions of health behavior changes associated with psychedelic experiences. Sci Rep 15, 41812 (2025).. Full Paper here
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