God…. is that you? (Picture: Shutterstock)

What happens when priests, Buddhists and rabbis take a vast dose of ‘shrooms and listen to religious music – and does God show up?

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We’re actually finding out – as researchers at John Hopkins give religious participants psilocybin (the trippy chemical in magic mushrooms), and watch.

Dr William Richards of John Hopkins said, ‘With psilocybin these profound mystical experiences are quite common. It seemed like a no-brainer that they might be of interest, if not valuable, to clergy.


The scientists have signed up Catholic and Presbyterian priests, a Zen Buddhist and several rabbis – and are still looking for Muslim imams.

Dr William Richards

All the participants will remain anonymous.



Participants are given two large doses of psilocybin – then spend time on a couch wearing eye shades and listening to religious music on headphones.

Woah Picture: Getty – Credit: MylesGoode

Richards said, ‘Their instruction is to go within and collect experiences. So far everyone incredibly values their experience. No one has been confused or upset or regrets doing it.’

Previous John Hopkins experiments found that many people find spiritual value in psychedelic journeys – with 67% of volunteers saying their trips were among the most spiritually significant events of their lives.