A new study is shedding light on how Jewish Americans view psychedelics and their potential for both healing and spiritual connection. As eJewishPhilantropy reported, Jewish Journeys is a national survey designed to understand Jewish perspectives on substances like psilocybin, LSD, MDMA and ayahuasca. Conducted by Emory University in partnership with the nonprofit Shefa, the study seeks insights into how psychedelics intersect with Jewish identity, spirituality and mental health.
The Need For Cultural Sensitivity
The growing interest in psychedelics across the U.S., particularly as potential treatments for mental health issues, has prompted religious communities to consider how these substances fit into their faith. Rabbi Zac Kamenetz, the CEO of Shefa, saw a gap in how the Jewish community was engaging with this trend. A former "D.A.R.E. kid" who was initially wary of psychedelics, Kamenetz had a transformative experience with psilocybin in 2017, during a study at Johns Hopkins University. He realized that while the Jewish community was embracing more spiritual practices, the conversation about psychedelics was largely absent.
"If psychedelics were going to become more accessible, the Jewish community wasn't ready to handle the implications they might have on Jewish theology, community and creativity," Kamenetz says.
Understanding The Jewish Psychedelic Experience
To address this gap, Shefa partnered with Emory University to conduct the Jewish Journeys study. The research aims to explore why Jewish Americans use psychedelics, whether for healing, spiritual growth, or recreational purposes, and what role these substances play in their lives. The survey is not about promoting or condemning psychedelic use, but about understanding it within the context of Jewish identity.
"We're not giving anyone drugs," Kamenetz stresses. "We want to know why people are using these substances. This is a principle of harm reduction, being informed and addressing reality, not judging it."
The study, funded by the Jim Joseph Foundation's Common Era initiative, targets a broad sample: 1,500 Jewish Americans who have used psychedelics, those curious about them and those who are skeptical. The online survey includes questions about participants' beliefs on substances, their impact on society and their spiritual connections. Follow-up interviews will provide deeper insights into individual experiences with psychedelics.
Breaking The Stigma In The Jewish Community
As the use of psychedelics rises, many Jewish people are exploring them for spiritual reasons, with some even drawing parallels to traditional religious experiences. Kamenetz notes the long-standing Jewish involvement in music subcultures, like the Grateful Dead and Phish communities, which have historically embraced psychedelic culture. Even within Jewish practice, altering consciousness is a familiar concept, such as the use of wine during Kiddush.
Despite this, there remains significant stigma surrounding drug use within the Jewish community. Kamenetz hopes that the Jewish Journeys study will break down this taboo. "You don't talk about drug use in polite society," he says, urging religious leaders to be more open-minded and informed about their community members' experiences with psychedelics. Such openness, he says, could bridge the gap between spirituality and psychedelic exploration.
Shaping A More Informed Future
One of the study's goals is to help Jewish religious leaders understand the spiritual needs of those using psychedelics. "The increase in accessibility to psychedelics is going to change the social fabric of some communities," says Aaron D. Cherniak, a clinical psychologist and rabbi studying the intersection of religion and psychedelics.
The research also aims to explore whether psychedelics can be integrated into Jewish spiritual practices. Some individuals in the psychedelic community suggest that Jewish tradition may have historical links to mind-altering substances. Others argue that psychedelics have no place in communal Jewish life, as they tend to encourage individual, rather than collective, spiritual experiences.
Kamenetz acknowledges that the role of psychedelics in Jewish life remains uncertain but believes that understanding the diverse experiences within the Jewish community is essential for providing the necessary support. He says, "People are having profound experiences, but there's often no framework in the community to help them integrate these experiences meaningfully."
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