Most people who consider a supported psilocybin experience aren’t chasing a total makeover—they want to loosen what feels rigid, reconnect with what feels true, and keep more of that change when the session is over. So: can psilocybin actually shift personality traits like openness or neuroticism? And does who you are going in shape what happens on the day?
Below is a plain-English tour of the research—and some practical guidance from what science says matters.
Part 1 — Can psilocybin change personality traits?
What the best-known studies found
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A landmark Johns Hopkins study showed that people who had a mystical-type experience on psilocybin experienced lasting increases in the trait of Openness—which persisted more than a year later.
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In people with treatment-resistant depression, researchers found decreases in neuroticism and increases in extraversion and openness three months after psilocybin given with psychological support.
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A randomized trial comparing two high-dose psilocybin sessions to escitalopram found decreases in neuroticism, introversion, disagreeableness, and impulsivity, along with increases in openness and absorption, some of which persisted six months later.
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More recently, a placebo-controlled study (25 mg vs. 1 mg) showed dose-specific reductions in neuroticism at one month, especially when the experience was personally meaningful.
How big are these changes?
They’re not “new personality overnight.” Effects tend to be modest but durable, and they depend on the quality of the acute experience (e.g., depth, insight, sense of unity), plus what you do afterward (integration and behavior change). Psilocybin may plant a seed; preparation and integration help it take root.
What this means in regular life
Clients often describe being less tightly wound, more curious and creative, or more socially engaged in the weeks that follow—shifts that line up with the research on personality traits. While science can’t promise this outcome for everyone, controlled studies suggest psilocybin has genuine potential to nudge personality in helpful directions.
Part 2 — How your personality shapes your trip
Even before we talk about music or lighting, who you are, walking in, matters.
Dose matters most—but traits still count
Across dozens of lab studies, dose was the strongest predictor of effects. Still, non-drug factors made a difference. People high in trait Absorption (easily immersed in music, art, daydreams) were more likely to have mystical-type experiences. High emotional excitability or anxiety predicted more challenging moments.
A prospective study of real-world sessions found similar patterns: clear intentions and a positive mindset reduced the odds of a hard experience, while Absorption and higher dose amplified both mystical and challenging intensity. Notably, mystical intensity predicted greater well-being weeks later.
Openness vs. Neuroticism: different risk/benefit profiles
Recent survey research offers a useful rule of thumb:
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Higher Openness → more mystical qualities during the session and more lasting positive life changes afterward.
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Higher Neuroticism → greater likelihood of negative after-effects and fewer reported benefits, on average.
Other traits matter less, but conscientiousness may play a small positive role, while extraversion and agreeableness appear to have minor influence.
What this means practically
Traits aren’t destiny. The same features that make a person prone to intensity can become assets with the right preparation and support. Openness may invite mystical breakthroughs, while neuroticism may require extra scaffolding to keep the experience safe and constructive.
Part 3 — Practical takeaways
If you tend toward anxiety or high neuroticism:
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Spend extra time on nervous system prep (breathwork, grounding, expectation-setting).
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Choose a facilitator who can help titrate intensity and support you through big emotions.
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Create clear intentions and safety plans to reduce the risk of challenging detours.
If you’re naturally open/absorbed:
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Lean into music, inner focus, and creativity—these often deepen the constructive aspects of the journey.
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Build rich integration practices—journaling, art, time in nature—to convert “wow” into lasting change.
For everyone:
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Set, setting, and support remain central. Personality adds nuance but doesn’t override the basics of preparation and integration.
A note on safety and legality in Oregon
In Oregon, psilocybin services are legal under state law when provided in licensed service centers by trained facilitators. We cannot claim to diagnose, treat, or cure medical conditions. If you have a complex mental health history or take prescription medications, we recommend a medical consult before scheduling.
Work with Vital Reset (Hood River)
If you’re curious about whether a supported psilocybin experience could help you shift patterns that feel stuck—or how to tailor preparation and integration to your personality—reach out.
Call 541-645-4485 or request an Exploration Call. We’ll help you decide if, when, and how to proceed.
References & Further Reading
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MacLean KA, Johnson MW, Griffiths RR. (2011). Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of Openness. PNAS.
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Erritzoe D, et al. (2018). Effects of psilocybin therapy on personality structure. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.
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Weiss B, et al. (2023). Psilocybin vs escitalopram: personality outcomes in depression. Psychological Medicine.
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Godfrey A, et al. (2024). Randomized placebo-controlled trial of psilocybin on personality traits.
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Studerus E, et al. (2012). Predicting psilocybin response in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology.
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Haijen E, et al. (2018). Predicting responses to psychedelics: prospective study of set, setting, and traits. Frontiers in Pharmacology.
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Kajonius P, et al. (2025). Personality and the quality of psychedelic experiences: survey study. PsyPost / Lund University.
