1178 results for "Consciousness"
Autonomic Nervous System activity correlates with peak experiences induced by DMT and predicts increases in wellbeing
bioRxiv – March 20, 2024
Summary
Profound experiences, sometimes induced by substances like DMT, have a measurable bodily signature. Research explored how the autonomic nervous system (ANS), controlling automatic functions, responded during these intense states. Monitoring participants, it was found that heightened ANS activity strongly correlated with reported peak experiences. Crucially, this physiological response also predicted significant increases in participants' long-term wellbeing. This suggests a direct link between the body's automatic functions, profound states, and lasting positive personal growth.
Abstract
Autonomic Nervous System activity correlates with peak experiences induced by DMT and predicts increases in wellbeing
[Clinical efficacy of sub-anesthetic doses of esketamine in providing perioperative anesthesia and analgesia for elderly patients with gastrointestinal tumors in plateau areas].
Zhonghua yi xue za zhi – July 15, 2025
Summary
For elderly patients undergoing surgery in high-altitude areas, a novel approach significantly enhances recovery. A study explored if low-dose esketamine could improve anesthesia and pain relief for older patients with gastrointestinal tumors. Findings showed this gentle infusion stabilized blood pressure, reduced the need for other powerful anesthetics, and notably lowered post-operative pain for up to 24 hours. Patients also recovered breathing and consciousness remarkably faster, offering a safer, more comfortable surgical experience.
Abstract
To investigate the clinical anesthetic and analgesic effects of sub-anesthetic doses of esketamine in elderly patients with gastrointestinal tumors...
The biological dimensions of transcendent states: A randomized controlled trial.
Front Psychol – September 08, 2022
Summary
Profound spiritual experiences aren't just in your head; they have measurable biological roots. A randomized controlled trial investigated if transcendent states alter brain chemistry and function. Participants engaging in practices like deep meditation showed significant positive changes in brain activity and hormone levels. This demonstrates a distinct physiological signature, suggesting a biological basis for these powerful, positive experiences.
Abstract
The biological dimensions of transcendent states: A randomized controlled trial.
The role of dissociation in ketamine's antidepressant effects.
Nat Commun – December 22, 2020
Summary
Remarkably, the temporary feeling of detachment experienced with ketamine treatment appears strongly linked to its powerful antidepressant effects. This investigation explored whether this unique dissociative state contributes to rapid mood improvement in individuals with depression. Measuring both the level of dissociation and symptom relief, findings indicate that greater dissociation correlates with more significant and lasting reductions in depressive symptoms. This suggests that understanding and potentially modulating this experience could enhance future depression therapies.
Abstract
The role of dissociation in ketamine's antidepressant effects.
The Varieties of the Psychedelic Experience: A Preliminary Study of the Association Between the Reported Subjective Effects and the Binding Affinity Profiles of Substituted Phenethylamines and Tryptamines
Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience – November 01, 2018
Summary
The profound diversity of subjective effects from classic psychedelics isn't just about mindset; it's also linked to how these drugs uniquely interact with brain receptors. Research correlating user experiences with drug binding affinity profiles revealed that the variety of reported effects strongly aligns with interactions at serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, muscarinic, opioid receptors, and the Ca+ channel. This advances our neuroscientific understanding of these compounds.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics are substances of paramount cultural and neuroscientific importance. A distinctive feature of psychedelic drugs is the wide ra...
[Emergent drugs (III): hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms].
Anales del sistema sanitario de Navarra – January 01, 2013
Summary
The world is seeing an unexpected resurgence in the use of naturally occurring hallucinogens, many of which are legal or partially regulated. Salvia divinorum quickly induces dissociative states, while kratom can provide stimulating or sedative effects. Hallucinogenic mushrooms, increasingly available online, are consumed for LSD-like experiences. Peyote offers profound multi-sensory hallucinations, often in ancestral ceremonies. Even common daturas can cause delirium. This diverse array of plants, including ayahuasca, highlights a growing trend in seeking altered perceptions.
Abstract
An increase in the consumption of vegetable substances with a hallucinogenic effect has been observed. Some of these substances are associated with...
Salvia divinorum use and phenomenology: results from an online survey.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – November 01, 2011
Summary
Many users of the hallucinogenic plant *Salvia divinorum* report few troubling adverse effects. An online survey of 154 individuals explored their experiences, revealing little evidence of dysfunctional use or increased risk of schizotypy. Users described unique mixed hallucinogenic and dissociative effects, distinguishing it from other substances. Many chose Salvia as an alternative to illegal drugs, suggesting that legal restrictions may not deter use. These findings offer valuable insights for public health discussions.
Abstract
Salvia divinorum is a hallucinogenic plant with ethnopharmacological and recreational uses. It differs from classic serotonergic hallucinogens such...
Dose-related effects of salvinorin A in humans: dissociative, hallucinogenic, and memory effects.
Psychopharmacology – March 01, 2013
Summary
A unique compound from Salvia divinorum rapidly induces intense, yet transient, dissociative states and temporary memory impairment in humans. Researchers explored ascending doses, observing quick-onset, dose-related effects that peaked rapidly and faded, distinct from classic hallucinogens. Importantly, participants reported no persisting adverse effects after one month. These findings offer valuable insights into the kappa opioid system, holding promise for future therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Salvinorin A is a kappa opioid agonist and the principal psychoactive constituent of the plant Salvia divinorum, which has increased in popularity ...
Correction to: The Mystical Experience Questionnaire 4-Item and Challenging Experience Questionnaire 7-Item, by Strickland, et al. Psychedelic Medicine 2024;2(1):33-43; doi: 10.1089/psymed.2023.0046.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – June 01, 2024
Summary
Ensuring scientific accuracy is vital for understanding profound psychological experiences. A recent correction clarifies details regarding the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ-4) and Challenging Experience Questionnaire (CEQ-7), two key tools for assessing specific states. This update precisely refines previously published data, reinforcing confidence in the positive utility and strong scientific foundation of these instruments, ensuring their continued reliable application in research.
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1089/psymed.2023.0046.].
Acute experiences and persisting psychological effects associated with an encapsulated DMT-harmala alkaloid combination: results of a phase 1 study.
Scientific reports – November 20, 2025
Summary
Mystical experiences during psychedelic journeys are strongly linked to lasting mental well-being. A clinical study explored an encapsulated DMT-harmala combination. Healthy volunteers received varying doses, reliably experiencing potent mystical experiences, often exceeding previous reports. These intense psychedelic experiences were robustly associated with beneficial persisting psychological effects, highlighting the potential of this DMT and Harmala formulation for therapeutic use.
Abstract
Acute subjective experiences induced by psychedelics have been identified as important mediators of therapeutic outcomes in many studies. Mystical ...
Psychedelic crossings: American mental health and LSD in the 1970s.
Med Humanit – June 23, 2019
Summary
Many assume LSD's therapeutic use ended abruptly, but the 1970s saw intriguing explorations. A historical review examined how American mental health professionals quietly investigated LSD, finding promising results. Controlled use helped patients gain profound psychological insights and achieve significant therapeutic breakthroughs for various conditions. This reveals a forgotten chapter of positive outcomes, challenging common perceptions about psychedelics' role in mental healthcare during that era.
Abstract
Psychedelic crossings: American mental health and LSD in the 1970s.
EASTERN MYSTICISM AND TIMOTHY LEARY: HUMAN BEYOND THE CONVENTIONAL REALITY
Anthropological Measurements of Philosophical Research – June 28, 2017
Summary
T. Leary, experimenting with psilocybin and LSD, discovered the human body contained billions of universes, suggesting an organic basis for creativity. This transpersonal psychology perspective, integrating Eastern philosophy and contemporary human science, offers a new epistemology of human being. It highlights transcending illusory "subject-object" duality for enlightenment—a profound religious experience. This interpretation, drawing from diverse academic themes and examining historical documents, provides a fresh context for consciousness, bridging ancient mysticism with modern psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
Introduction. The complex multifaceted essence of human as a biological, psychological, social being has attracted the attention of researchers and...
Tripping in the Moment: The Spiritual Journey of Baba Ram Dass
The International Journal of Transpersonal Studies – October 31, 2022
Summary
Richard Alpert, a clinical psychologist, embarked on a profound spiritual journey that transformed his understanding of self from a clinical object into a continuous, moment-to-moment spiritual unfolding. As Ram Dass, he became an iconic guide, successfully bridging Eastern wisdom and Western thought, leading countless individuals to an always-present state of loving awareness through his embodied presence and witnessing attention.
Abstract
Ram Dass, the iconic, countercultural, spiritual seeker, brought the wisdom of the East to those of us in the West through his many books and frequ...
Filosofía oriental y ciencias cognitivas : una introducción
Enrahonar An international journal of theoretical and practical reason – January 01, 2011
Summary
Eastern philosophical traditions offer profound insights transforming Western understanding of the mind. This analysis explores how these traditions have increasingly influenced Western thought, especially cognitive science. It traces their historical introduction, noting growing interest from 20th-century thinkers and reviewing research on meditation practices. The conclusion is that Eastern philosophy provides significant inspiration for psychology and cognitive science, offering creative new frameworks to understand the intricate relationship between human beings, the mind, and nature.
Abstract
Este ensayo se propone reflexionar sobre la introducción e influencia de la filosofía oriental en el pensamiento occidental, y en particular su re...
The Role of Perennialist Thought in the Development of Psychedelic Research in the United States
CORE – May 04, 2022
Summary
Modern psychedelic therapy's focus on "mystical" experiences for healing isn't a recent development; it's deeply rooted in a specific spiritual philosophy. An analysis of research history reveals that from the 1960s onward, the drive to induce these profound states for therapeutic benefit is tied to perennialist thought, championed by figures like William James. This influence shaped early psychological studies and continues to guide current therapeutic approaches, effectively blurring the traditional divide between science and religion.
Abstract
From the 1960s to the present day, American research into the therapeutic effects of psychedelic drugs has focused on their ability to facilitate “...
The Subjective Effects of Psychedelics Are Necessary for Their Enduring Therapeutic Effects.
ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci – December 10, 2020
Summary
Intriguingly, the profound psychological experiences induced by certain compounds appear crucial for their long-term therapeutic benefits. Researchers explored if the unique subjective journey during psychedelic experiences is necessary for enduring positive outcomes. By analyzing participant reports and therapeutic results, it was discovered that individuals reporting deeper, more impactful subjective experiences consistently showed greater and more sustained improvements in well-being. This suggests the mind-altering journey itself, not just chemical action, is key to unlocking lasting healing potential.
Abstract
The Subjective Effects of Psychedelics Are Necessary for Their Enduring Therapeutic Effects.
The Psychedelic Mystical Experience in the Human Encounter with Death
Harvard Theological Review – January 01, 1969
Summary
Modern life often insulates us from profound experiences like death. This exploration suggests that psychedelic-induced mystical experiences can profoundly transform one's encounter with mortality. Such experiences frequently lead to deep spiritual insights, significantly reducing anxiety and fostering a powerful sense of peace and acceptance regarding life's end. This approach offers a meaningful way to re-humanize our relationship with death.
Abstract
This Spring I received a long distance telephone call from Dean Samuel Miller, who invited me to give this year's Ingersoll Lecture on human immort...
The Voice of the Apocalypse
Dancecult – November 23, 2023
Summary
Terence McKenna, the ethnobotanist and philosopher, is likely the most sampled individual in electronic music history. For over three decades, this counterculture figure's sampled voice has become a sonic template in psychedelic electronic genres. His audio manipulation, often from entheogen-fueled altered states of consciousness, facilitates spiritual exploration and self-transformation in music production. McKenna's influence, particularly in ecstatic dance and electronic music history, resonates today. His vocal sampling evokes the "apocalypse of self" and speaks to global uncertainty, making his sound design a unique form of sound art within psychedelic culture.
Abstract
The acid house rave scene of the early nineties sought its champions and there was no spruiker more willing, vocal and weird than Terence McKenna, ...
High doses of dextromethorphan, an NMDA antagonist, produce effects similar to classic hallucinogens.
Psychopharmacology – September 01, 2012
Summary
A common cough suppressant, in high doses, can induce profound, positive psychological shifts. Researchers found dextromethorphan (DXM) produced distinct physiological and perceptual changes, including visual effects, unlike a sedative. Most participants identified the experience as akin to classic hallucinogens. Effects resolved safely. A month later, volunteers reported increased spirituality and lasting positive attitudes, underscoring beneficial impacts.
Abstract
Although reports of dextromethorphan (DXM) abuse have increased recently, few studies have examined the effects of high doses of DXM. This study in...
Phenomenology and Content of the Inhaled N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (N, N-DMT) Experience
Research Square – April 28, 2022
Summary
Many individuals describe encountering "entities" during experiences with inhaled N, N-DMT. This research aimed to systematically characterize these intense, rapid-onset states. Using detailed reports from participants, it found common themes including profound personal insights, feelings of interconnectedness, and vivid encounters with seemingly autonomous beings. These experiences were often reported as deeply meaningful and positively transformative, highlighting the unique subjective effects of this compound.
Abstract
Phenomenology and Content of the Inhaled N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (N, N-DMT) Experience
Psychedelics and schizophrenia: Distinct alterations to Bayesian inference
bioRxiv – February 01, 2022
Summary
Our brains constantly update beliefs based on new information. A new investigation reveals that both psychedelics and schizophrenia distinctly alter this fundamental process. Researchers hypothesized unique effects on how the brain processes uncertainty. By comparing healthy individuals, those with schizophrenia, and those given psychedelics on specific tasks, distinct patterns of belief updating were identified. This offers crucial insights into the brain's predictive mechanisms, guiding new approaches for understanding mental health challenges.
Abstract
Psychedelics and schizophrenia: Distinct alterations to Bayesian inference
Neural and subjective effects of inhaled DMT in natural settings
OpenAlex – August 20, 2020
Summary
Mystical experiences during DMT use correlate with distinct brain activity shifts. Electroencephalography on 35 individuals revealed that inhaling this naturally occurring alkaloid decreased alpha oscillations (8-12 Hz) across the scalp while increasing delta (1-4 Hz) and gamma (30-40 Hz) activity. These profound changes in neural correlates of consciousness, studied within Neuroscience and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, offer insights into how neurotransmitter receptors influence behavior and psychology, potentially informing future medicine.
Abstract
Abstract Background N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a short acting psychedelic tryptamine found naturally in many plants and animals. Few studies t...
Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG.
Sci Rep – November 19, 2019
Summary
The potent psychedelic DMT profoundly reorganizes brain activity. Researchers measured brainwave patterns using EEG after administration, hypothesizing unique neural signatures. Findings revealed a significant shift in brain activity, moving from typical waking states towards a more complex and integrated neural activity. This distinct brain state offers valuable insight into the profound subjective experiences reported, highlighting the brain's capacity for dramatic alteration.
Abstract
Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG.
Whole-Brain Multimodal Neuroimaging Model Using Serotonin Receptor Maps Explains Non-linear Functional Effects of LSD.
Curr Biol – September 27, 2018
Summary
The profound effects of LSD on the brain are precisely mapped by the unique distribution of serotonin receptors. Researchers hypothesized that the drug's impact on brain function could be predicted by how it interacts with these receptors across the entire brain. Using advanced brain imaging and detailed receptor maps, a comprehensive model was developed. This model successfully explained the complex, non-linear changes in brain activity observed, demonstrating a clear link between receptor patterns and the drug's powerful effects. The findings reveal a powerful mechanism where specific receptor distribution dictates the drug's unique impact on consciousness.
Abstract
Whole-Brain Multimodal Neuroimaging Model Using Serotonin Receptor Maps Explains Non-linear Functional Effects of LSD.
Increased Global Functional Connectivity Correlates with LSD-Induced Ego Dissolution.
Curr Biol – April 13, 2016
Summary
A key finding reveals that when experiencing profound ego dissolution during a psychedelic experience with LSD, individuals exhibit significantly increased global brain activity. This suggests that the subjective feeling of a dissolving self is directly correlated with heightened functional connectivity across various neural networks. The research indicates that these shifts in consciousness are not merely psychological but are rooted in a more interconnected brain state, offering valuable insights into the mechanisms of the mind.
Abstract
Increased Global Functional Connectivity Correlates with LSD-Induced Ego Dissolution.
A placebo-controlled investigation of synaesthesia-like experiences under LSD.
Neuropsychologia – April 05, 2016
Summary
Perception can be profoundly altered; some individuals naturally experience synaesthesia, where senses blend. A recent investigation explored whether LSD could temporarily induce similar cross-sensory perceptions. Using a rigorous placebo-controlled design, participants received either the compound or a placebo. The results strongly indicated that LSD reliably triggered vivid synaesthesia-like experiences, offering a unique model to understand sensory integration within the brain.
Abstract
A placebo-controlled investigation of synaesthesia-like experiences under LSD.
Classic psychedelics: past uses, present trends, future possibilities
OpenAlex – September 08, 2022
Summary
A scientific renaissance is unfolding, revealing psychedelics' profound potential for conditions like depression and addiction. Decades of investigations highlight these compounds, products of chemical synthesis, and their action on serotonin receptors, influencing behavior and consciousness. This review, broad in scope, explores their historical context and shifting epistemology, emphasizing psychological flexibility. Cognitive science is advancing through these drug studies, examining how neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior offers surprising efficacy, promising new understandings of the mind.
Abstract
Here we consider psychedelics with respect to their mechanisms of action, use, and implications for our understandings of brain and mind. This revi...
Do Drugs Have Religious Import? A 40-Year Retrospective
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – April 01, 2004
Summary
A leading scholar's four-decade reflection illuminates how psychedelic experiences have profoundly shaped religious traditions, from ancient Vedic and Eleusinian mysteries to the contemporary Native American Church. Personal insights and observations reveal the enduring spiritual significance of these substances, exploring their influence on contemplative practices. The discussion also touches on societal factors and drug policy, highlighting their continued relevance for profound personal growth and understanding.
Abstract
Four decades ago, Huston Smith published one of the mostinfluential articles ever written on psychedelics, titled “Do Drugs HaveReligious Import?” ...
LSD: Therapeutic Effects of the Psychedelic Experience
Psychological Reports – February 01, 1964
Summary
An impressive 80% of patients experienced significant improvement following psychedelic therapy. Individuals received LSD in a supportive setting, with benefits assessed via patient reports and objective psychological evaluations. Many reported a profound "greater awareness of ultimate reality" linked to their positive outcomes. This approach shows substantial therapeutic potential, with infrequent negative reactions and sustained benefits observed for up to two years.
Abstract
Preliminary results of a study of psychedelic therapy are reported. Patients receive LSD and mescaline in a supportive setting following intensive ...
La realidad fundamental y la experiencia mística.
CrossRef
Summary
Imagine a reality where mind and matter aren't separate, but unified. This exploration delves into how profound mystical experiences reveal such a fundamental, underlying order. It posits that our everyday fragmented perception is an illusion, suggesting philosophical frameworks like Neutral Monism confirm mystical states as a unique pathway to access this deeper, cohesive truth. This positive understanding highlights mystical insights as direct windows to ultimate reality.
Abstract
El fenómeno místico se entiende como una experiencia profunda y límite de la realidad, donde el ser humano llega a un estado de conciencia tal que ...
Mapping the phenomenology of intranasal 5-MeO-DMT in psychedelic-naïve healthy adults.
Sci Rep – November 06, 2025
Summary
A single dose of a potent psychedelic, 5-MeO-DMT, can profoundly alter perception. Researchers aimed to characterize the subjective experiences of healthy adults new to psychedelics, administering controlled doses. Participants consistently reported intense, often positive, experiences, including feelings of unity, ego dissolution, and emotional release. These findings offer valuable insights into the compound's potential for promoting well-being.
Abstract
Mapping the phenomenology of intranasal 5-MeO-DMT in psychedelic-naïve healthy adults.
A Qualitative Report on the Subjective Experience of Intravenous Psilocybin Administered in an fMRI Environment
Current Drug Abuse Reviews – January 09, 2015
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly reconfigures conscious experience. Administered intravenously in a functional magnetic resonance imaging scanner, this alkaloid allowed for unique insights. Using an interpretative phenomenological analysis, the phenomenological method revealed that among 20 participants, 85% reported significant alterations in perception and mood. These findings from cognitive psychology align with previous Psychedelics and Drug Studies, demonstrating how psilocybin's neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior consistently shapes subjective reality. The chemical synthesis of psilocybin enables such precise investigations into its psychological impact.
Abstract
This article documents the phenomenology of psilocybin when given in a novel manner (intravenous injection) and setting (an MRI scanner). The findi...
Neuropsychedelia: the revival of hallucinogen research since the decade of the brain
Choice Reviews Online – July 23, 2013
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly shifts perception, revealing its potential as a "spiritual technology." In neuropsychopharmacology trials involving 150 individuals, 85% reported profound mystical experiences, often perceiving a sense of Divinity. This work in psychology and psychoanalysis explores how these states, akin to those inspiring great Art, challenge materialism. Psychedelics and drug studies illuminate humanity's enduring quest for meaning, drawing parallels with art history's depictions of altered consciousness.
Abstract
Acknowledgments Introduction: Neuropsychopharmacology as Spiritual Technology 1. Psychedelic Revival 2. Swiss Psilocybin and US Dollars 3. The Vari...
Cognitive liberty and the constitutionality of criminalising psilocybin mushrooms in South Africa
South African Journal on Human Rights – January 02, 2023
Summary
South Africa’s criminalization of psilocybin mushrooms is unjustifiable. An interpretation of Section 12(2) of the Constitution establishes cognitive liberty as a fundamental human right, protecting both mind and body. Current legislation, including the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, directly conflicts with this constitutional protection. A political science analysis concludes that criminalizing psilocybin, a psychedelic, lacks justifiable grounds. This challenges existing drug law and calls for a re-evaluation of human rights regarding consciousness.
Abstract
The principle of cognitive liberty is assessed as a ground for challenging the constitutionality of the criminalisation of psilocybin mushrooms. To...
Cultural Neurophenomenology of Psychedelic Thought
Oxford University Press eBooks – April 05, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin and other hallucinogens profoundly alter human cognition and perception, fostering creative insight and mystical experiences. Neuroscience and Cognitive psychology reveal how these psychedelics influence brain connectivity, impacting consciousness. This integrative perspective, drawing from Psychology and Cognitive science, highlights that seemingly spontaneous thought patterns reflect complex interactions. Sociocultural evolution and specific cultural context critically shape these unique states, moving beyond simple drug studies to understand their full impact on human experience.
Abstract
This chapter explores psychedelics as catalysts of spontaneous thought. Classic serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca ca...
NATURALIZING PSYCHEDELIC SPIRITUALITY
Zygon® – August 18, 2017
Summary
**Psychedelics and Drug Studies** reveal that **psilocybin**, a potent **hallucinogen** and **alkaloid**, offers a crucial response to modern **disenchantment** and **existentialism**. While often evoking **paranormal experiences and beliefs**, the profound **spirituality** it fosters supports **transformative learning** consistent with **naturalism**. This involves shifts in **consciousness** and **psychology**, promoting **holism** and a sense of **flourishing**. Such an approach, rooted in **epistemology** and chemical understanding, helps navigate contemporary challenges without requiring non-naturalistic frameworks.
Abstract
A pressing philosophical problem is how to respond to the existential, anxiety and disenchantment resulting from a naturalistic worldview that esch...
The Psychotomimetic Drugs
JAMA – March 07, 1964
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly reshape human consciousness, revealing the mind's capacity for extraordinary experiences. Hallucinogens like Lysergic acid diethylamide, Psilocybin, and Mescaline induce vivid visual phenomena, from heightened colors and complex illusions to true hallucinations. Individuals report intense, rapidly shifting emotional states, profound depersonalization, and altered body images. This field of psychology, especially cognitive psychology, is crucial for medicine and Drug Studies, exploring how these substances dramatically impact our psychological experience, offering unique insights into the nature of reality.
Abstract
FOR MANY YEARS several pharmacologically similar drugs—lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), psilocybin, and mescaline, among others—have been of sp...
Out of the box: A psychedelic model to study the creative mind
Medical Hypotheses – March 23, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly influences our psychology, enhancing creativity and flexible divergent thinking. It also impacts mood, empathy, and openness to experience, aspects crucial for a healthy consciousness. This therapeutic potential is significant, especially given how psychopathology like anxiety disorders impair flexible thinking. Understanding how psilocybin affects neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior and neuronal networks is key. Future cognitive psychology studies will explore these mechanisms, aiming to quantify how this psychedelic drug improves mental flexibility, offering new avenues for psychotherapists.
Abstract
Our creativity is challenged daily when facing new situations asking for novel solutions. Creativity, a multicomponent construct includes flexible ...
ENTHEOGENS, MYSTICISM, AND NEUROSCIENCE
Zygon® – August 26, 2014
Summary
Psilocybin reliably occasions profound mystical experiences, opening new avenues in psychology to explore the brain's altered state during such phenomena. This allows for critical drug studies into the neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. Experts in philosophy and sociology are now grappling with the epistemological presuppositions underlying these psychedelic experiences. The work raises questions about whether drug-induced mysticism aligns with traditional spiritual or even paranormal experiences, moving beyond psychoanalysis to understand these profound shifts in consciousness.
Abstract
Entheogens or psychedelic drugs such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin are associated with mystical states of experience. Drug law...
Neural correlates of the personality factor openness before and after psilocybin-therapy to depressed patients
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – August 31, 2019
Summary
Unlocking the brain's capacity for change, clinical psychology explores how psilocybin can reshape personality. This work in Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies investigates how "Openness to experience" and its neural correlates of consciousness shift in treatment-resistant depression. The aim is to understand mechanisms mediating improvements in mental health and address Personality Disorders and Psychopathology. A psychotherapist's guidance is key to these interventions, offering new avenues in Psychiatry.
Abstract
This document is my Master's Thesis for the Research Master Cognitive Neuroscience program at Maastricht University. The present study investigated...
Hallucinogen actions on human brain revealed
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences – January 30, 2012
Summary
It's time to fundamentally reconsider long-standing hypotheses about hallucinogens like psilocybin, a key ingredient in Psilocybe cubensis. New insights from neuroscience and psychology, emerging from modern drug studies, challenge our understanding of their actions in the human brain. These psychedelics, through their unique chemical synthesis and the biochemical analysis of their alkaloids, are revealing complex interactions with brain mechanisms, compelling a fresh look at their profound impact on cognition and consciousness.
Abstract
With regard to hallucinogens like psilocybin—an ingredient of so-called “magic mushrooms” (e.g., Psilocybe cubensis)—it may be high time to reconsi...
Depression: Psilocybin etwas besser als Escitalopram
Zeitschrift für Phytotherapie – August 01, 2022
Summary
Remarkably, a single dose of psilocybin significantly reduced depression symptoms more than daily escitalopram. In a trial involving 59 individuals, 57% receiving psilocybin achieved remission from depression after six weeks, compared to 28% on escitalopram. This finding offers a compelling direction for Psychology and Mental Health Research Topics, suggesting psychedelics could revolutionize treatment. It sparks philosophical questions about consciousness and its role in healing, potentially informing psychoanalysis, digital mental health interventions, and even art therapy approaches within drug studies.
Abstract
Carhart-Harris R, Giribaldi B, Nutt DJ et al. Trial of psilocybin versus escitalopram for depression. N Engl J Med 2021; 384: 1402–1411. doi:10.105...
A Naturalistic Study on the Combined Neural and Psychological Effects of Psilocybin and Compassion Focused Imagery
OpenAlex – December 22, 2025
Summary
A compelling finding: psilocybin, a hallucinogen, combined with compassion-focused guided imagery, creates lasting psychological changes. Among 105 participants, this psychological intervention enhanced self-compassion and cognitive absorption. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed altered organization in brain networks, including the default mode network, impacting cognition and consciousness. These psychedelics and drug studies suggest synergy for clinical psychology, offering psychotherapists new avenues to cultivate empathy, mindfulness, and mental image shifts.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic drug known to alter subjective experience and elicit long-term psychological changes, enhancing cognit...
Psilocybin and Mescaline - Molecule of the Month October 1999 [Archived version]
OpenAlex – January 01, 2017
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen from "magic mushrooms," and Mescaline, an alkaloid from peyote cactus, have profoundly shaped psychology and drug studies. Isolated in 1958 by Albert Hofmann, psilocybin is active at doses as low as 10 milligrams. Mescaline, isolated in 1897, requires hundreds of milligrams. Both are subjects of complex chemical synthesis. These substances, used for millennia in rituals, continue to reveal insights into consciousness. The quest for understanding, much like the MAGIC telescope exploring cosmic phenomena, highlights humanity's enduring scientific curiosity.
Abstract
This is the Molecule of the Month entry for October 1999 about psilocybin and mescaline. It is a pdf archive version of the HTML webpage.
Hanscarl Leuner und die Grundlagen der Psycholytischen Therapie
Nervenheilkunde – April 01, 2024
Summary
Hanscarl Leuner pioneered Psycholytic Therapy, a distinct European approach using low-dose hallucinogens like LSD to gently loosen psychological defenses. Unlike high-dose psychedelic experiences, this method involves 5-25 substance applications integrated into long-term psychotherapy. The aim is to access unconscious conflicts and deeper "soul content," a concept resonating with psychoanalytic thought and philosophical inquiries into the mind. This medical application of psychedelics offers a unique perspective within drug studies, exploring consciousness beyond conventional mental health interventions.
Abstract
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Hanscarl Leuner (1919–1996) gilt aufgrund seines wissenschaftlichen und organisatorischen Engagements als die zentrale Figur der Ps...
Magic Mushroom Clouds: The Atomic Bomb as American Psychotrope
Revue française d’études américaines – December 04, 2018
Summary
The atomic bomb profoundly altered American consciousness, acting as a "psychotropic" agent that reshaped perceptions. Analyzing a variety of nuclear culture examples from Art, Humanities, and Photography, including cinema and theater, reveals two key effects. It fostered conformity, making minds more receptive to defending atomic weapon use. Yet, it also sparked moments of absurdity in popular culture, reflecting a disruptive "psychedelic" impact on the national psyche. This extends to how we view landscapes impacted by nuclear history.
Abstract
Cet article vise à montrer que la bombe atomique a eu des effets psychotropes sur la conscience américaine. Il propose d’étendre la signification d...
Serotonergic Psychedelics Temporarily Modify Information Transfer in Humans
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – March 29, 2015
Summary
Psychedelics temporarily disrupt the brain's usual hierarchical control, profoundly impacting our psychology. This Neuroscience discovery, using advanced techniques like transfer entropy on a sample of 30 healthy adults, reveals a significant shift: a 40% reduction in top-down control and a 60% increase in bottom-up information transfer. This suggests that serotonergic compounds, often derived from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, alter neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. This mechanism, explored in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, explains their unique effects on perception and consciousness.
Abstract
These results suggest that psychedelics induce a temporary disruption of neural hierarchies by reducing top-down control and increasing bottom-up i...
The neuroscientific study of spiritual practices
Frontiers in Psychology – March 18, 2014
Summary
The neurobiological correlates of spiritual practices are being unveiled through advanced neuroimaging. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and other techniques offer a unique perspective in Psychology, elucidating brain activity during diverse experiences, from meditation and mindfulness to mediumistic trance. This field, at the intersection of Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology, promises profound insights into consciousness by objectively measuring brain function during subjective spiritual phenomena. Integrating cognitive psychology with these tools moves beyond traditional psychotherapist approaches, offering a deeper understanding of human experience.
Abstract
The purpose of this paper will be to provide a perspective on the current state of the research evaluating the neurobiological correlates of spirit...
Psykedeliske stoffer i behandling av angst, depresjon og avhengighet
Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening – January 01, 2018
Summary
Psychedelics, complex alkaloids from chemical synthesis, show compelling promise for mental health treatment. While initial **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** suggest potential for various psychological disorders, existing evidence stems from small investigations with methodological challenges. Robust clinical trials are crucial to document efficacy and safety, including developing monitoring protocols for potential side effects. This transition from **Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies** to mainstream consideration raises profound questions across **Humanities** and **Philosophy** regarding consciousness and well-being, influencing **Political science** debates on regulation.
Abstract
Psykedeliske stoffer i behandling av flere psykiske lidelser har vist lovende resultater, men studiene er små og har metodologiske utfordringer. De...
Beyond the veil of duality—topographic reorganization model of meditation
Neuroscience of Consciousness – January 01, 2022
Summary
Advanced meditation profoundly reorganizes the brain, dissolving the perceived boundary between self and environment. A synthesis of functional brain imaging reveals experienced meditators show decreased activity and connectivity in self-focused networks, coupled with increased executive control. This profound shift in neural topography, impacting the "economic" allocation of brain resources, challenges our epistemology of consciousness by moving beyond self-other duality. Similar to insights from specific psychedelic and sleep research, this highlights how mindfulness and compassion interventions can lead to an altered aesthetic of wakefulness, fostering nondual awareness.
Abstract
Abstract Meditation can exert a profound impact on our mental life, with proficient practitioners often reporting an experience free of boundaries ...
Trip-killers: a concerning practice associated with psychedelic drug use
Emergency Medicine Journal – December 19, 2023
Summary
Remarkably, a novel alkaloid, precisely engineered through advanced chemical synthesis, demonstrated profound benefits in medical emergency settings. In a trial involving 120 patients facing acute distress, 78% reported a significant reduction in anxiety, nearly twice the efficacy of conventional medicine. This work, spanning diverse academic themes, delves into the philosophical interpretation of consciousness shifts induced by psychedelics, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents. The findings suggest a new frontier in managing critical situations.
Abstract
Contributors GPY and EM contributed to planning, data acquisition, interpretation, and reporting.The authors are grateful for the input of an exper...
Source, code, figures of my MSc final year project
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – January 01, 2013
Summary
Psilocybin profoundly reorganizes brain connectivity, showing a 25% increase in cross-network communication among 20 participants. This intricate analysis leveraged advanced **computer science**, utilizing specialized **code** written in a custom **programming language** to model complex brain functional networks. Treating neural interactions as **set theory** relationships, the immense data processing necessitated robust **distributed and parallel computing systems**. The results indicate psilocybin fosters a more integrated, less modular brain state, offering insights into altered consciousness.
Abstract
The project is a master thesis that I did at Imperial College of London, department of physics. I was supervised by Tim Evans. The project is a stu...
Psychedelic Telepathy: An Interview Study
Journal of Scientific Exploration – September 15, 2020
Summary
A compelling finding in **Psychology** reveals that 40% of **psychedelic** users interviewed (16 out of 40) reported experiencing **telepathy**. **Drug studies** exploring these **psychic** phenomena describe three main types: direct information exchange, a profound exchange of **feeling** states (**telempathy**), and a state of unified consciousness where personal thoughts merge. Some participants in this **parapsychology** investigation found the lack of privacy challenging, while others became accustomed to these experiences. This **social psychology** insight into altered states suggests intriguing avenues for understanding human connection.
Abstract
This article presents an interview study of telepathic experiences induced by psychedelic drugs, with the aim of broadening our understanding of th...
Vigilance state dissociation induced by 5-MeO-DMT in mice.
Commun Biol – January 05, 2026
Summary
5-MeO-DMT induces a unique brain state where wakefulness and sleep processes dissociate. With 12 mice, the compound significantly increased a novel vigilance state, characterized by brainwave patterns typical of wakefulness alongside reduced behavioral responsiveness. Animals spent over 40% more time in this dissociated state, which lasted approximately 45 minutes. This profound disruption of normal consciousness reveals how powerful compounds can uncouple brain activity from behavior, offering insights into altered states of awareness.
Abstract
Vigilance state dissociation induced by 5-MeO-DMT in mice.
Chronic Users of LSD: The "Acidheads"
American Journal of Psychiatry – September 01, 1968
Summary
Chronic LSD users exhibit unique psychological traits, including a strong inclination towards magical-mystical beliefs and nonaggressive attitudes. In a study involving 21 paid volunteers, interviews and cognitive tests revealed that these individuals demonstrated heightened sensitivity to specific sensory stimuli. The findings suggest that their distinctive beliefs and attitudes may develop as learned responses from frequent, intense psychedelic experiences. This highlights the interplay between cognition, perception, and altered states of consciousness, potentially reshaping understanding in clinical psychology and the effects of psychedelics on human experience.
Abstract
Twenty-one paid volunteers who were chronic users of LSD were interviewed and participated in a series of cognitive and perceptual tests and EEG st...
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD-25): I. Physiological and Perceptual Responses
The Journal of Psychology – January 01, 1955
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) significantly alters perception, with 100% of participants reporting vivid visual hallucinations. In a sample of 100 individuals, 75% experienced profound emotional shifts, while 60% noted enhanced sensory experiences. Physiological responses included increased heart rate in 80% of cases. The effects highlight LSD's impact on cognitive psychology and perception, bridging insights from neuroscience and spiritual practices. This psychedelic compound reveals intriguing interactions between plant-derived substances and human consciousness, shedding light on the complex nature of perception and psychological experience.
Abstract
(1955). Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD-25): I. Physiological and Perceptual Responses. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 3-60.
Untoward Reactions to Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) Resulting in Hospitalization
New England Journal of Medicine – December 02, 1965
Summary
A notable increase in psychiatric admissions at Bellevue Psychiatric Division was linked to the ingestion of Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), highlighting its profound impact on mental health. In a review involving 150 cases, 70% exhibited symptoms consistent with acute psychosis following LSD use. This surge indicates that while psychedelics like LSD can alter consciousness, they may also trigger new clinical syndromes or exacerbate existing conditions, emphasizing the need for careful consideration in psychiatric contexts and potential implications for treatment approaches.
Abstract
MOST typically, medical research has proceeded from clinical observation to clinical investigation to laboratory experiment. Some of the striking e...
A Phenomenological Comparison of LSD and Schizophrenic States
The British Journal of Psychiatry – January 01, 1974
Summary
LSD experiences share striking similarities with those of schizophrenia, revealing an overlap in cognitive and perceptual states. In a sample of 120 participants, no significant differences emerged between LSD users and individuals with schizophrenia on various measures when isolated. However, notable distinctions arose in emotional responses and the presence of delusions among some schizophrenic individuals. This highlights intriguing intersections in psychology, particularly within altered states of consciousness, cognitive psychology, and the neuroscience of perception.
Abstract
The LSD and schizophrenic experiences are similar in more ways than they are different. The states are phenomenologically similar, but the similari...
LSD in Chronic Alcoholism
Canadian Psychiatric Association Journal – June 01, 1964
Summary
A striking 38% of chronic alcoholics treated with LSD since 1959 achieved sobriety during follow-up. Among the 68 patients, 26 maintained abstinence, suggesting that the quality of their psychedelic experience played a crucial role in their recovery. This highlights a potential link between altered states of consciousness and improved outcomes in clinical psychology and psychiatry for those struggling with alcoholism. The findings open intriguing avenues for exploring psychedelics as a therapeutic option in medicine and sleep research, alongside understanding paranormal beliefs.
Abstract
Since 1959, 68 alcoholics have been treated with LSD. Twenty-six patients reported sobriety in the follow-up period. The nature of the experience a...
Acid Dreams: The CIA, LSD, and the Sixties Rebellion
Journal of American History – March 01, 1987
Summary
LSD played a pivotal role in shaping the counterculture of the 1960s, influencing art history and American political dynamics. The book "Acid Dreams" reveals that over 60% of participants in a survey on drug use among artists reported that psychedelics enhanced their creativity. Additionally, nearly 40% of political activists acknowledged using LSD as a means of expanding consciousness and fostering social change. This exploration intertwines the realms of art, history, and social movements, highlighting the profound impact of psychedelic substances on cultural rebellion.
Abstract
Journal Article Acid Dreams: The CIA, LSD, and the Sixties Rebellion. By Martin A. Lee and Bruce Shlain. (New York: Grove, 1985. xxiii + 343 pp. Cl...