A Narrative Review of Meditation and Psychedelics: Pairing Practices, Synergistic Effects, and a Mutual Research Framework
Jahred Rosa-Sullivan, Nicholas Cherup, Michael R. Sheehy, and Patrick Finan.
Journal of Contemplative Studies, 1, 101-135. 2026
Meditation and psychedelics have been increasingly implemented in combination within clinical and nonclinical research settings. This trend reflects rich and independent histories of their usage for personal, communal, and ceremonial use. As research proliferates in this area, an updated synthesis of empirical findings, an evidence-based framework for implementation, and culturally sensitive approaches to this syncretic phenomenon are needed. A threefold framework is introduced to assess their compatibility and feasibility when delivered together, drawing on principles intrinsic to the traditions they are derived from. Presenting a timely update to the literature, a structured literature search resulted in sixteen observational and experimental articles that are explicated in narrative review format. We offer examples of viable yet unexplored research designs that further highlight their synergistic compatibility and the potency of a cross-cultural exchange between representative systems of contemplative knowledge production. Conclusory reflections respond to ethical responsibilities and emergent delivery frameworks at this intersection of scientific and humanistic research.
