The Afterglow Inventory (AGI): Validation of a new instrument for measuring subacute effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics

Abstract

Background:

Classic psychedelics such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide are anecdotally associated with the phenomenon of “psychedelic afterglow,” a set of predominantly pleasant, temporary psychological effects reported after the acute effects have subsided. Since post-acute effects are crucial for the therapeutic use of psychedelics, an instrument to systematically assess subacute “afterglow” effects is needed.

Aims:

To create and validate a questionnaire to quantify the subacute “afterglow” effects of psychedelics.

Methods:

An international online survey was conducted in English and German. Participants who had consumed a psychedelic ( N = 1323) or another non-psychedelic substance (control group, N = 157) within the past 4 weeks were included. An initial list of 97 items was progressively reduced to 24 items.

Results:

A 5-factor structure best fit the data and showed high internal consistency. The factors included (1) vitality, (2) transpersonal aspects, (3) inspiration/creativity, (4) interpersonal relationships, and (5) relationship to nature. The final 24-item version of the Afterglow Inventory (AGI) effectively differentiated between the psychedelic group and the control group. The overall AGI score positively correlated with the intensity ( r = 0.165; p < 0.001) and positive valence ( r = 0.251; p < 0.001) of the acute psychedelic effects.

Conclusions:

The AGI is a novel scale for quantifying positive subacute (“afterglow”) effects of psychedelics. The use of the AGI could lead to a better understanding of the interplay between acute, subacute, and long-term effects of psychedelics. Insights could also be gained into how different substances, dosages, and extra-pharmacological factors, such as psychotherapy, might influence outcomes.