Attachment Styles and Psychedelics; They May Be More Interconnected Than We Think

Have you ever wondered how your attachment style might shape your experience during a psychedelic journey?

We recently sat down with Gustav Martling, a clinical psychologist specializing in psychodynamic therapy, to explore this fascinating connection. He explained that some of the core principles of psychodynamic therapy—especially those tied to the unconscious mind—can offer insight into how different attachment styles might influence a psychedelic session. 

For example, if you have an Avoidant Attachment style, you might be used to keeping emotions at arm’s length. Gustav suggests that during a psychedelic trip, this avoidance could make it difficult to fully let go, as the defences you’ve built up over time may make the experience more challenging.

On the other hand, those with an Anxious Attachment style—who often seek deep emotional connection—might find psychedelics triggering spontaneous spiritual or religious awakenings. That craving for closeness could make the journey more emotionally intense.

For those with a Secure Attachment style, the experience could be less daunting. The emotional resilience that comes with this attachment style might allow you to process the trip’s revelations more easily, integrating the experience without feeling overwhelmed.

But for individuals with Disorganized Attachment, particularly those with histories of trauma or psychiatric conditions like PTSD or BPD, the situation becomes more delicate. Psychedelics might not be the best path, as they could introduce risks, such as spiritual bypassing, especially if the trip brings feelings of love or safety that have long been absent.

Of course, these observations are based on a theoretical understanding about how attachment styles affect emotional regulation skills and defence mechanisms along with early empirical data as seen in studies like this one from: https://lnkd.in/dm88ZCPN

There’s no surefire way to predict how someone will respond to psychedelics, and outcomes can vary widely. But as always, we encourage you to consult your wellness practitioner and do your own research before embarking on any psychedelic journey.

These concepts certainly raise interesting points about how our attachment styles might interact with such profound experiences.  So, we leave you with this question: Based on your attachment style, would a psychedelic experience be right for you?