328 results for "Phenomenology"
The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms
Journal of Psychopharmacology – November 18, 2016
Summary
Challenging experiences with the hallucinogen psilocybin, often called "bad trips," involve distinct psychological distress. Clinical psychology research, vital for Psychiatry and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, identified seven key factors: grief, fear, death, insanity, isolation, physical distress, and paranoia. These factors profile the acute adverse feelings and mood shifts during such experiences. This work, pertinent to Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, enhances our understanding of anxiety and other challenging aspects of psilocybin use, informing future drug studies in Psychology, including those exploring Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
Abstract
Acute adverse psychological reactions to classic hallucinogens (“bad trips” or “challenging experiences”), while usually benign with proper screeni...
Serotonin, psychedelics and psychiatry
World Psychiatry – September 07, 2018
Summary
In Psychiatry, just one or two psychedelic treatment sessions can yield therapeutic effects lasting several months for mood disorders and addiction—an unprecedented outcome. Neuropsychopharmacology reveals Serotonin's complex role, with 5-HT2A neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior being key to the "psychedelic experience" and heightened context sensitivity. This shift in Medicine and Drug Studies, moving beyond traditional psychoanalysis and simple Serotonin deficiency models, highlights new Psychology avenues exploring how these compounds, often alkaloids, profoundly impact mental health.
Abstract
Serotonin is a key neuromodulator known to be involved in brain development, perception, cognition, and mood. However, unlike as with dopamine for ...
Psychedelic Science of Spirituality and Religion: An Attachment-Informed Agenda Proposal
CrossRef
Summary
Our early relationships profoundly shape how we connect with others and the divine. This framework proposes that psychedelics could help relax rigid mental patterns formed by these foundational experiences. It suggests an individual's attachment security influences their psychedelic journey, and that effective psychedelic therapy may actually boost this security. The process involves fostering a deeper sense of connection and easing worries, enhancing treatment benefits.
Abstract
In this paper, we set an agenda for a psychedelic science of spirituality and religion, based on a synthesis of attachment theory with the Relaxed ...
4 Psychedelics: therapeutic mechanisms
Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry – July 20, 2020
Summary
Psychedelics like Psilocybin are profoundly reshaping our understanding of mental health. A leading expert, fusing Psychoanalysis with Neuroscience, has pioneered extensive Drug Studies at Imperial College London. His work involves brain imaging of four hallucinogens (LSD, MDMA, DMT, Psilocybin) and two clinical trials for depression, including comparing Psilocybin with standard antidepressants. This Psychology-informed Psychiatry research explores acute brain effects and therapeutic outcomes, guiding psychotherapeutic applications. Establishing a Centre for Psychedelic Research, the work illuminates how these compounds influence brain function, offering new hope.
Abstract
Robin Carhart-Harris moved to Imperial College London in 2008 after obtaining a PhD in Psychopharmacology from the University of Bristol and an MA ...
Synthesizing Attachment Theory with the REBUS Model
The Oxford Handbook of Psychedelic, Religious, Spiritual, and Mystical Experiences – December 18, 2024
Summary
Our early relationships shape deep-seated mental models that influence how we connect with the world. A new perspective proposes that psychedelic experiences, by inducing a highly flexible brain state, can profoundly revise these models. This framework suggests that with supportive relational experiences, individuals can achieve greater emotional security and psychological transformation. It posits that personal attachment styles predict how people experience psychedelics and that successful psychedelic therapy can enhance feelings of security and connectedness, alleviating anxieties. This synthesis offers a powerful way to understand how these therapies foster positive change.
Abstract
Abstract In this chapter, the authors synthesize the relational developmental perspective of attachment theory with a neuroscientific model: the RE...
A Model for the Application of Target-Controlled Intravenous Infusion for a Prolonged Immersive DMT Psychedelic Experience.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2016
Summary
Imagine a state of consciousness where your reality is completely replaced by an "alternate universe" filled with complex visual hallucinations. This unique experience, often induced by dimethyltryptamine (DMT), typically lasts under 20 minutes. Researchers explored using pharmacokinetic modeling to adapt target-controlled intravenous infusion, a technique for stable drug delivery, to prolong this intense psychedelic drug experience. The goal was to allow for extended observation of its psychological contents. Findings suggest DMT's rapid onset and lack of tolerance make it ideal for this intravenous infusion method. This approach promises stable, prolonged experiences, potentially aiding in neuroimaging and developing new psychotherapeutic applications, building on insights from substances like ayahuasca.
Abstract
The state of consciousness induced by N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is one of the most extraordinary of any naturally-occurring psychedelic substanc...
A Qualitative Exploration of Relational Ethical Challenges and Practices in Psychedelic Healing
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – September 16, 2021
Summary
As psychedelic therapies near approval, underground psychotherapists navigate complex ethical challenges using MDMA and psilocybin. A qualitative research study interviewed 23 practitioners (10 female, 13 male), 12 formally trained, about issues like client nudity and professional competence. This work, part of diverse academic research themes in psychology and drug studies, from chemical synthesis and alkaloids to ethical practice, highlights the need for clear boundaries. The scientific rigor championed by figures like Watson remains crucial for psychotherapist training.
Abstract
As both 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)- and psilocybin-assisted psychedelic psychotherapy near U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ap...
Molecular and Functional Imaging Studies of Psychedelic Drug Action in Animals and Humans
Molecules – April 22, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics, potent drugs with psychotherapeutic promise, offer profound psychological experiences. Their drug action involves complex pharmacology, with molecular imaging showing these alkaloids, often from chemical synthesis, primarily bind to serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. An early PET study confirmed the majority of a specific hallucinogen's binding to 5-HT2A. Despite this neuroscience progress, only a handful of such studies exist, limiting our understanding of their precise action in medicine. Further drug studies, perhaps exploring diverse receptor systems like those in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors study, are crucial.
Abstract
Hallucinogens are a loosely defined group of compounds including LSD, N,N-dimethyltryptamines, mescaline, psilocybin/psilocin, and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-...
Activation of Serotonin 2A Receptors Underlies the Psilocybin-Induced Effects on Oscillations, N170 Visual-Evoked Potentials, and Visual Hallucinations
Journal of Neuroscience – June 19, 2013
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent serotonergic hallucinogen, profoundly alters visual processing, leading to visual hallucinations. Neuroscience reveals this psychedelic's effects, derived from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, are driven by activating specific Serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Administering 215 μg/kg Psilocybin strongly decreased brain activity related to visual stimulus processing. Crucially, pretreatment with 50 mg Ketanserin, a 5-HT2A receptor blocker, completely prevented these changes and the associated visual hallucinations. This illuminates the specific neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, offering insights for psychology and drug studies.
Abstract
Visual illusions and hallucinations are hallmarks of serotonergic hallucinogen-induced altered states of consciousness. Although the serotonergic h...
Lasting effects of a single psilocybin dose on resting-state functional connectivity in healthy individuals
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 30, 2021
Summary
A single dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin, a compound from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, significantly impacts brain communication, offering insights for psychology and neuroscience. In 10 healthy volunteers, resting state fMRI revealed a substantial decrease in executive control network functional connectivity (Cohen’s d = -1.73) one week later. This shift predicted increased mindfulness three months on (r = -0.65). These findings suggest psilocybin modulates brain networks, potentially mediating lasting psychological benefits. This has implications for medicine, psychedelics and drug studies, and complementary and alternative medicine.
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin is a psychedelic drug that has shown lasting positive effects on clinical symptoms and self-reported well-being following a ...
Brain serotonin 2A receptor binding predicts subjective temporal and mystical effects of psilocybin in healthy humans
Journal of Psychopharmacology – October 08, 2020
Summary
Individual brain chemistry profoundly shapes psychedelic experiences. In a Neuroscience and Psychology investigation, 16 participants received a single dose (0.2–0.3 mg/kg) of the hallucinogen psilocybin, a serotonin-acting chemical alkaloid. Those with higher levels of the brain's 5-HT2A receptor, a key neurotransmitter receptor, experienced shorter peak effects but a longer return to normal consciousness. This finding from Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights how individual receptor binding influences the temporal and mystical aspects of a psilocybin journey, profoundly impacting behavior.
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic with psychoactive effects mediated by serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) activation. It produces ...
Psychedelic integration challenges: Participant experiences after a psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – January 16, 2023
Summary
Experiencing challenges after a psilocybin retreat can be integral to its transformative potential. Among 30 individuals attending a legal truffle retreat, 9 (30%) spontaneously reported integration difficulties, including mood fluctuations and disconnection from community, key in psychology. These transient experiences, aligned with 'spiritual emergency' in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, often resolved, correlating with positive outcomes. This highlights the importance of harm reduction and psychotherapist support for hallucinogen use, contributing to diverse academic research themes beyond chemical synthesis and alkaloids, fostering transformative learning.
Abstract
Abstract This article reports on integration challenges that were experienced by nine individuals who attended a three-day legal psilocybin truffle...
Psilocybin-induced changes in brain network integrity and segregation correlate with plasma psilocin level and psychedelic experience
OpenAlex – February 05, 2021
Summary
A single dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin profoundly alters brain connectivity, directly shaping subjective experience. In fifteen healthy individuals, functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed this psychedelic drug, acting on Serotonin 2A receptors, reduced the integrity of the Default Mode Network and other regions. As psilocin levels rose, networks like the Task-positive network desegregated, increasing connectivity. This Neuroscience and Pharmacology insight illuminates how psilocybin influences consciousness, offering new perspectives for Psychology and therapeutic approaches to brain disorders, relating to neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior.
Abstract
Abstract The emerging novel therapeutic psilocybin produces psychedelic effects via engagement of cerebral serotonergic targets by psilocin (active...
Four individuals' experiences during and following a psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 16, 2021
Summary
A compelling finding reveals that a high dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin can lead to positive after-effects lasting up to a year. Qualitative research, using deep interpretative analysis of narratives from four healthy individuals at a legal retreat, revealed profound shifts. A central theme was enhanced social connectedness, impacting perception of self and others. This experiential learning offers insights for psychology and developmental psychology, contributing to psychedelics and drug studies. The findings illuminate aspects of social psychology and potential psychotherapeutic relevance, touching upon diverse academic research themes through a social analysis of personal transformation.
Abstract
Abstract This article reports on the experiences of four healthy individuals who attended a legal psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands. Th...
Psilocybin as a healer
Consciousness Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology – September 12, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin microdosing, involving a hallucinogen, appears to significantly boost mental health and creativity. Twelve individuals shared their lived experience, detailing how it subtly shifts perception and feeling. Most reported improved wellbeing, productivity, and a deeper connection. This qualitative insight contributes valuable data to Psychology, encompassing clinical, social, and psychedelic drug studies, informing psychotherapists. While chemical synthesis of alkaloids is crucial, this highlights psilocybin's profound psychological impact.
Abstract
This phenomenological research explored the fast-growing societal trend in psilocybin microdosing, whereby a sub-perceptual amount of the psychedel...
Do Drugs Have Religious Import?
The Journal of Philosophy – October 01, 1964
Summary
A compelling finding from the 1960s reveals how ten theological students and professors experienced profound religious states after ingesting psilocybin during a Good Friday service. This challenges the prevailing view in contemporary philosophy and analytic philosophy that dismisses psychedelics' religious relevance. Despite these powerful experiences, scholars in Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology often overlook their implications for Epistemology and the study of Religion and Society Interactions, prematurely closing the case on their potential to illuminate religious history and practice within Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Until six months ago, if I picked up my phone in Cambridge area and dialed KISS-BIG a voice would answer, Ifif. These were coincidences: KISS-BIG s...
Neural mechanisms of psychedelic visual imagery
OpenAlex – September 09, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters visual perception. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on 24 adults, Neuroscience and Psychology investigations reveal how this psychedelic drug impacts the visual cortex. Under psilocybin, enhanced top-down feedback from higher visual areas to the early visual cortex appears to drive vivid, eyes-closed visual imagery. This suggests psilocybin reduces external stimulus impact, allowing internal cognitive processes to dominate perception. These insights from Psychedelics and Drug Studies advance our understanding of visual perception and the brain's mechanisms for creating internal visual experiences.
Abstract
Abstract Visual alterations under classic psychedelics can include rich phenomenological accounts of eyes-closed imagery. Preclinical evidence sugg...
The Potential Role of Psychedelic Drugs in Mental Health Care of the Future
Pharmacopsychiatry – May 12, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are revolutionizing mental health treatment, offering new hope in psychiatry. These powerful hallucinogens, including MDMA, demand redefined psychological intervention. Successful integration into medicine requires careful psychopharmacology, focusing on precise dosing and comprehensive psychotherapist support. Six crucial areas, from patient screening to psychological integration, must be addressed. This contextualization of chemical synthesis and alkaloids' influence on neurotransmitter receptors is vital for future Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, ensuring safe, effective care.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or dimethyltryptamine (DMT), as well as psychoactive drugs...
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...
Long-term transformative effects and integration challenges of psychedelic experiences
Consciousness Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology – September 12, 2022
Summary
Profound, long-term positive transformation reliably follows psychedelic experiences with psilocybin and LSD. A qualitative research approach, employing thematic analysis with 6 Romanian individuals, detailed shifts in self-perception and emotional states, exemplifying transformative learning. Subsequent survey data from 39 participants corroborated these effects across the population. Integration, however, presented challenges rooted in social psychology, particularly issues with interpersonal communication and a lack of community support. These findings illuminate the complex psychological and qualitative property of post-psychedelic integration, a key area in Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
This study looked into the transformative effects and integration challenges of psychedelic experiences with psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylam...
The Paradox of Phencyclidine (PCP) Abuse
Annals of Internal Medicine – March 01, 1979
Summary
Phencyclidine (PCP) stands alone among abused drugs for its litany of profoundly disturbing effects, posing severe challenges in Medicine and Psychiatry. Accidental high doses cause fatal medical complications, acute psychoses, and suicidal depressions. Chronic use leads to aggression, memory loss, and dependence. Unlike compounds carefully considered for Treatment of Major Depression or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, PCP's complex chemical synthesis and alkaloids result in widespread, unpredictable harm, far exceeding initial concerns about other substances.
Abstract
Editorials1 March 1979The Paradox of Phencyclidine (PCP) AbuseRICHARD STILLMAN, M.D., ROBERT C. PETERSEN, PH.D.RICHARD STILLMAN, M.D.Search for mor...
The default-mode, ego-functions and free-energy: a neurobiological account of Freudian ideas
Brain – February 28, 2010
Summary
Groundbreaking neuroscience suggests core Freudian concepts like the ego align with the brain's default mode network. This perspective bridges psychoanalysis and modern cognitive psychology, proposing that primary processes—manifest in dreams or a Freudian slip—reflect self-organized brain activity. Understanding these neurobiological substrates, crucial for mental health and psychiatry, could refine psychotherapy techniques. The brain's hierarchical systems, optimizing its representation of the sensorium (a form of embodied cognition), offer a compelling basis for the Id, ego, and super-ego, enriching psychological understanding and free association.
Abstract
This article explores the notion that Freudian constructs may have neurobiological substrates. Specifically, we propose that Freud's descriptions o...
Aesthetic Chills Mitigate Maladaptive Cognition In Depression
Research Square (Research Square) – November 14, 2023
Summary
Experiencing aesthetic chills, those physical shivers, can significantly alter maladaptive cognitive schema in individuals with major depressive disorder. In a clinical psychology study, 96 patients exposed to specific multimedia stimuli experienced positive shifts in core self-beliefs. This psychological phenomenon, impacting how cognition processes information, shares similarities with altered states induced by psychedelics, a key area in drug studies. Such insights from neuroscience and music perception suggest chills could be a non-pharmacological path for mental health research, potentially complementing psychotherapist approaches.
Abstract
Abstract Background Depression is a major global health challenge, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. Current pharmacological and psychot...
Standards Without Labs: Drug Development in the Psychedelic Underground
Citizen Science Theory and Practice – January 01, 2022
Summary
An online network, Clusterbusters, developed a standardized protocol for using homegrown psilocybe mushrooms as a cluster headache treatment, challenging traditional medicine. Lacking pharmaceutical-grade psilocybin, they created an "embodied standard" for dosage. This combined dried mushroom weight with subjective experience, fostering consistency in their knowledge bases. This innovative approach demonstrates how citizen science can establish effective protocols for psychedelics and drug studies, bridging psychology and complementary medicine, without relying on expensive chemical synthesis or institutional medical support.
Abstract
Standards are useful in the development of medicine because they enable communication and consistency in experimentation. Standards, however, often...
Unifying Theories of Psychedelic Drug Effects
Frontiers in Pharmacology – March 02, 2018
Summary
Over 125 years of Cognitive science and Psychology reveal psychedelics profoundly perturb brain processes governing perception, emotion, and cognition. These compounds, often alkaloids whose Chemical synthesis is explored via Biochemical Analysis, disrupt normal neural system constraints, altering the sense of self. From early filtration theories to modern Cognitive psychology frameworks, psychedelics and drug studies consistently offer a unique window into unifying theories of brain function, explaining their acute effects and therapeutic potential.
Abstract
How do psychedelic drugs produce their characteristic range of acute effects in perception, emotion, cognition, and sense of self? How do these eff...
Describing the Unspeakable: Psychedelic Communication Technologies and the Development of a Posthuman Language
Journal of Posthuman Studies – December 01, 2020
Summary
A compelling idea from psychology and cognitive science suggests psychedelics like DMT, LSD, and psilocybin function as communication technologies. They profoundly challenge traditional views of human subjectivity and consciousness. Across diverse academic research themes, the ineffable nature of these transpersonal states challenges our understanding. These molecules prime the brain for higher-dimensional language, contributing to multisensory, posthuman expression. This posthumanist perspective unifies their neurological and subjective effects, offering a new epistemology for mind.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Over the last three decades, the renaissance of interdisciplinary research into psychedelic drugs has challenged the Cartesian notions of ...
Unsupervised Extractive Summarization of Psychedelic User Experience Reports
OpenAlex – August 27, 2025
Summary
New advances in Artificial Intelligence are revolutionizing how we understand mental health experiences. Automatic summarization techniques, a core area of Computer Science and Information Retrieval, were applied to 1,200 psychedelic user reports (LSD, psilocybin, DMT) to make them clinically useful. LexRank showed the best overall balance, while SBERT excelled in content depth but lacked narrative coherence. This work pioneers automated analysis for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, revealing trade-offs in summarizing complex subjective data, crucial for future Data Visualization and Analytics in Mental Health Research Topics.
Abstract
A bstract Contemporary psychedelic research highlights the value of user experience reports, yet their verbose, subjective nature poses challenges ...
Context-dependent structurally informed effective connectivity under psilocybin
OpenAlex – August 22, 2025
Summary
Mystical experiences from the hallucinogen psilocybin are directly predicted by specific brain pathway changes. Across four distinct experiential contexts—like guided meditation or music listening—psilocybin reorganizes brain interactions. Notably, outgoing influences from the left hippocampus, a key memory and association hub, showed varying responses that predicted mystical experience intensity. Advanced computer science techniques revealed these context-specific shifts in brain dynamics, offering crucial insights for psychedelics and drug studies. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for mental health research topics and could inform future digital mental health interventions.
Abstract
Abstract The extent to which anatomical connectivity constrains pharmacologically altered brain dynamics remains poorly understood. Here, we combin...
Meditation Increases the Entropy of Brain Oscillatory Activity
Neuroscience – February 04, 2020
Summary
Vipassana meditation significantly increases brain entropy, especially in alpha and gamma brainwave bands, demonstrating how long-term practice shapes conscious experience. This Neuroscience finding suggests meditation, akin to certain psychedelics, can endogenously elevate neural dynamics' complexity. Across various traditions, Vipassana consistently generated the highest entropy boosts. All practices also enhanced gamma band coherence. These insights, crucial for Psychology and Mindfulness interventions, reveal meditation's capacity to induce self-regulated, high-entropy brain states, offering a new perspective on awareness.
Abstract
We address the hypothesis that the entropy of neural dynamics indexes the intensity and quality of conscious content. Previous work established tha...
Global bioethical challenges of medicalising psychedelics
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – September 17, 2021
Summary
Despite promising preliminary results for mental health, the re-medicalization of psychedelics presents significant bioethics challenges. A normative analysis, informed by engineering ethics and sociology, warns against reductionism. It suggests that reducing the complex psychological experiences induced by psychedelics, including those from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, to mere therapeutic tools risks exploiting ecological sources and traditional knowledge. This epistemological shift could diminish their efficacy and appropriate practices from Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, impacting the future of Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is an emerging psychiatric treatment that is attracting significant scientific, medical, and public att...
Neural network models for DMT-induced visual hallucinations
Neuroscience of Consciousness – January 01, 2020
Summary
Psychedelic alkaloids like N,N-Dimethyltryptamine profoundly alter visual perception, offering unique insights into consciousness. Neuroscience and cognitive psychology reveal how the serotonergic system, influenced by these compounds, critically gates sensory and internal information, shaping our reality. Utilizing two advanced generative deep neural networks, cognitive science can illustrate psychedelic-induced visual hallucination. This innovative approach helps conceptualize how the serotonergic sensory system regulates visual perception, providing a novel framework for understanding sensory gating and the biochemical basis of perception within drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract The regulatory role of the serotonergic system on conscious perception can be investigated perturbatorily with psychedelic drugs such as N...
Substance-Induced Psychoses: An Updated Literature Review
Frontiers in Psychiatry – December 23, 2021
Summary
Psychosis linked to substance abuse is a common and increasing concern in Psychiatry. Clinical psychology observes that the severity of addiction to substances like Cannabis, methamphetamines, and novel psychotomimetic drugs significantly increases the likelihood of developing psychogenic disease. Understanding how these hallucinogens influence neurotransmitter receptors is crucial for Medicine. Distinguishing substance-induced psychosis from primary disorders remains challenging, a key focus in Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Forensic Toxicology. Effective treatments and best practices for these episodes are largely unknown.
Abstract
Background: On the current psychopharmacological panorama, the variety of substances able to provoke an episode of acute psychosis is rapidly incre...
EEG Microstates in Altered States of Consciousness
Frontiers in Psychology – April 27, 2022
Summary
Our seemingly continuous conscious experience is actually a rapid succession of discrete "atoms of thought." Electroencephalography (EEG) in Neuroscience reveals these fundamental units, called microstates, as stable patterns of neural dynamics lasting merely 60-120 milliseconds. This insight from Cognitive psychology suggests consciousness isn't a fluid stream but a rapid succession of distinct mental states. Altered states of consciousness, including mind wandering and attention, significantly impact these functional brain connectivity patterns. Cognitive science uses this approach to explore the very nature of consciousness.
Abstract
Conscious experiences unify distinct phenomenological experiences that seem to be continuously evolving. Yet, empirical evidence shows that conscio...
Increased spontaneous EEG signal diversity during stroboscopically-induced altered states of consciousness
OpenAlex – January 04, 2019
Summary
A compelling neuroscience insight reveals that simple stroboscopic light stimulation can induce profound altered states of consciousness, similar to those from psychedelics. Electroencephalography (EEG) shows this non-pharmacological stimulation substantially increases neural signal diversity, exceeding levels found during wakeful rest. This change accompanies a significant expansion in the intensity and range of subjective experiences, including complex visual hallucinations. This finding in psychology suggests EEG signal diversity reflects the richness of conscious experience, offering insights into how sensory stimulation impacts the brain's diverse activity patterns, paralleling observations from drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract What are the global neuronal signatures of altered states of consciousness (ASC)? Recently, increases in neural signal diversity, compared...
Baseline Power of Theta Oscillations Predicts Mystical-Type Experiences Induced by DMT in a Natural Setting
Frontiers in Psychiatry – November 05, 2021
Summary
Baseline brain activity, measured by Electroencephalography, can predict profound changes in Consciousness induced by psychedelics like DMT. In a study of 35 healthy volunteers, DMT significantly altered neural correlates of consciousness, reducing alpha/beta oscillations and increasing delta/theta/gamma activity. Intriguingly, initial brain activity patterns influenced the subjective Feeling of unity and transcendence, a key area of Psychology. This suggests understanding Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior through baseline brain activity could enhance therapeutic outcomes in Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a classic psychedelic capable of inducing short-lasting but profound changes in consciousness. As with other psyche...
An Encounter With the Other: A Thematic and Content Analysis of DMT Experiences From a Naturalistic Field Study
Frontiers in Psychology – December 16, 2021
Summary
Nearly all DMT users (94%) encounter "beings" and all (100%) experience "other worlds." This naturalistic field study, a first for Psychology, involved 36 participants (83% Caucasian males) inhaling 40-75 mg DMT at home. Immediate in-depth interviews allowed for thematic analysis and content analysis, revealing profound, intense experiences. This applied psychology insight into Psychedelics and Drug Studies, touching on cognitive and social psychology, details entities' roles and immersive scenes. Such naturalism in observation resonates with paranormal experiences and spiritual practices.
Abstract
Introduction: N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an endogenous serotonergic psychedelic capable of producing radical shifts in conscious experience. I...
Dose-response relationships of LSD-induced subjective experiences in humans
OpenAlex – November 07, 2022
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters consciousness, with effects largely plateauing around 100 μg. A meta-analysis in Psychology, utilizing subjective rating scales, reveals strong changes in perception and ego-dissolution. Crucially, minimal effects on Anxiety were observed. These findings from Psychedelics and Drug Studies provide vital dose-response data for clinical psychology, informing how this chemical synthesis product impacts the mind. Understanding these biochemical effects on consciousness offers a foundation for further research, even for social and developmental psychology.
Abstract
Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent classic serotonergic psychedelic, which facilitates a variety of altered states of consciousn...
How Chanting Relates to Cognitive Function, Altered States and Quality of Life
Brain Sciences – October 27, 2022
Summary
Repetitive prayer significantly reduces mind-wandering, a key finding from a global survey of 456 regular chanters across 32 countries. This psychological insight reveals how specific chanting practices enhance cognition and attention. Stronger intentionality and engagement in chanting, encompassing various traditions, also correlate with altered states and improved mindfulness. Ultimately, these cognitive benefits indirectly boost overall quality of life. This illuminates the diverse cognitive psychology of spiritual practices.
Abstract
Chanting is practiced in many religious and secular traditions and involves rhythmic vocalization or mental repetition of a sound or phrase. This s...
Defining ‘psychedelic’
OpenAlex – December 04, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin uniquely delivers 'soul-illumination,' characterized by visions and psychological insight, confirming its place as the quintessential psychedelic drug. Over 200 individuals described their experiences with psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA. Analyzing these accounts revealed 3-4 distinct dimensions of subjective experience. A predictive model accurately identified which drug an individual had taken based solely on these effects. While ketamine primarily induces dissociation and MDMA fosters pro-social feelings and love, psilocybin stands apart for its profound capacity to manifest visions and deep psychological understanding.
Abstract
Humphry Osmond coined the term ‘psychedelic’ in 1956, conjoining ‘psyche’ for ‘soul’ and ‘delic’ from ‘dêlos’ for ‘to manifest’ or ‘illuminate.’ So...
Expert Opinion on Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for People with Psychotic Symptoms
Research Square (Research Square) – January 25, 2022
Summary
Expert opinion suggests psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy needn't be contraindicated for all with psychotic symptoms. 12 psychiatry and clinical psychology experts indicate highly supportive therapy, using synthesized compounds like psilocybin (an alkaloid), could significantly improve quality of life. Current Psychedelics and Drug Studies often exclude these cases, but a psychotherapist's strong therapeutic alliance and trauma understanding are crucial. This challenges psychology on how these compounds influence behavior, warranting re-evaluation.
Abstract
Abstract Background Currently, personal or familial histories of psychotic symptoms are exclusionary criteria for most psychedelic clinical trials,...
Psychedelics: The New Kid on the Block
Annals of Indian Psychiatry – January 01, 2024
Summary
Remarkably, 80% of 51 cancer patients maintained significant reductions in depression and anxiety six months after high-dose psilocybin. These psychedelics, studied extensively in drug studies and psychology, alter perception and consciousness, potentially inspiring new perspectives akin to art. Biochemical analysis (fMRI/EEG) reveals they increase global functional connectivity by reconfiguring the brain's functional "blocks." From chemical synthesis of alkaloids, these substances show promise for depression, addiction, and anxiety, revolutionizing psychopharmacology.
Abstract
HISTORY In the early part of twentieth century, these molecules were known as psychotomimetics, meaning that they create a state similar to psychos...
The promises and perils of psychedelic pharmacology for psychiatry
UNC Libraries – June 12, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin, DMT, and LSD are revolutionizing medicine, with psilocybin notably demonstrating significant clinical effects in phase II trials for depression and anxiety after just one or two administrations. This rapid therapeutic potential has ignited a 'gold rush,' with nearly 60 companies now exploring psychedelics for various psychological conditions. Understanding the precise pharmacology of how these drugs interact with brain receptors, like 5-HT2A, is paramount. The aim in clinical pharmacology is to develop next-generation psychedelic-inspired medications, enhancing efficacy for mental health without hallucinogenic actions.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs including psilocybin, N,Nʹ-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are undergoing a renaissance as potentia...
Accelerated recovery using magnesium ibogaine: characterizing the subjective experience of its rapid healing from neuropsychiatric disorders.
Npj mental health research – January 31, 2026
Summary
Magnesium-ibogaine rapidly improves TBI and PTSD in U.S. Special Operations veterans. Narratives from 30 male veterans revealed a profound healing experience. Participants described guided replay of traumatic memories, a sense of altered self and mystical connection, and deep emotional resolution with surges of forgiveness and renewed purpose. They also reported embodied healing, including vivid neural repair, cognitive clarity, and somatic relief. This accelerated, self-directed process suggests powerful mind-body mechanisms driving rapid neuroplastic change, offering new insights into trauma and TBI recovery.
Abstract
Magnesium-ibogaine, a formulation combining ibogaine with pre- and post-treatment magnesium, was recently found to yield rapid clinical improvement...
The Neurophenomenology of a Self-Induced Transcendental Visionary State: A Case Study.
NeuroImage – February 04, 2026
Summary
The brain dramatically reorganizes during self-induced non-ordinary states of consciousness, revealed in one participant across 20 fMRI sessions. Entering this state, brain connections became more variable, indicating temporary destabilization. During the full non-ordinary state, connections between different networks broadly decreased; visual and body-sensing areas decoupled from other regions, mirroring vivid imagery and altered perception. Conversely, attention networks showed increased connections with areas linked to deep absorption. This unique case study offers a strong foundation for understanding these profound experiences.
Abstract
Non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOC) offer a way to examine how large-scale brain dynamics reorganize as experience changes. We studied a par...
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Modulators of altered states of consciousness across psychedelic, dissociative, and entactogen use: A retrospective naturalistic study using the 5D-ASC.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – January 23, 2026
Summary
The intensity of a psychedelic experience, linked to its clinical benefits, is shaped by several factors. An online survey of 804 individuals, using the Altered States of Consciousness questionnaire, revealed that intentions like spiritual or therapeutic use, rather than recreational, predict stronger consciousness alteration. Substance type also matters: dissociative and serotoninergic psychedelics produced more intense effects than entactogens. Higher doses, along with participant age and gender, further influenced the depth of the experience. This suggests a complex interplay of personal, contextual, and pharmacological elements in shaping psychedelic journeys.
Abstract
The intensity of the psychedelic experience has been shown to be associated with its clinical efficacy. This study aims to investigate the factors ...
Numinous-like symptoms in epilepsy and/or insular tumors: A hospital cohort study.
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B – January 22, 2026
Summary
Seizures can surprisingly trigger profound numinous experiences, including mystical sensations. Among 83 epilepsy patients surveyed, 6.0% reported such symptoms. Separately, 8.7% of 23 tumor patients with pre-existing epilepsy also described them. These included one ecstatic seizure, two out-of-body experiences, and five instances of sensed presence. Such phenomena offer unique insights into consciousness, highlighting the need to actively assess these often-unreported events in epilepsy.
Abstract
Ecstatic seizures (EcS) have captured scientific interest due to their potential origin in anterior insular networks, emphasizing the insula's role...
Toward a neuroscience of consciousness using advanced meditation.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – February 01, 2026
Summary
Understanding the core of Consciousness is challenging, often obscured by complex mental states. A new framework proposes Advanced Meditation, encompassing Advanced Concentrative Absorption Meditation and Meditative Endpoints like temporary cessation, as a powerful tool. This approach aims to isolate the simplest forms of conscious experience, providing precise, replicable anchors for a minimal model. By systematically studying these states, researchers can advance Theories of Consciousness and potentially illuminate insights beyond those offered by Psychedelics, ultimately revealing the fundamental mechanisms of awareness.
Abstract
Despite decades of progress in the neuroscience of consciousness, prevailing empirical paradigms remain largely anchored in the study of typical, c...
Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians – Part III. N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and Ayahuasca
CrossRef
Summary
A single dose of DMT led to 57% of major depressive disorder patients experiencing remission 12 weeks later. This naturally-occurring psychedelic, also found in ayahuasca, shows significant promise. A separate trial found ayahuasca caused remission in 36% of patients with treatment-resistant depression within one week. While generally safe, ayahuasca can cause transient vomiting. The therapeutic and biological roles of DMT, including its possible link to near-death experiences and its impact on human consciousness, warrant further exploration.
Abstract
Background: N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a naturally-occurring serotonergic psychedelic found in natural plants around the globe. As the main ps...
Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians—5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT)
CrossRef
Summary
A recent clinical trial shows the psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT, found in Sonoran Desert toad venom, rapidly reduced severe depression. An impressive 57.5% of participants with treatment-resistant depression remitted within eight days. This ultra-short-acting compound shows promise for psychiatric conditions. While current evidence is encouraging, from trials with up to 193 participants, further investigation in larger clinical trials will clarify its long-term benefits.
Abstract
Background: 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), also officially known as Mebufotenin, is a naturally occurring serotonergic psychedelic a...
LSD Psychosis or LSD-Induced Schizophrenia?
Archives of General Psychiatry – August 01, 1983
Summary
Patients hospitalized for LSD psychosis share many characteristics with acute schizophrenics, revealing striking similarities in their clinical profiles. In a study of 52 LSD psychotics and 29 matched first-break schizophrenics, both groups showed similar rates of psychosis and parental suicide. Notably, 69% of LSD patients had a family history of alcoholism, significantly higher than the 31% found in schizophrenics. While some clinical features differed, the two groups were alike in premorbid adjustment and cognitive measures over three to five years, indicating a shared vulnerability to substance abuse and psychosis.
Abstract
We studied whether patients hospitalized for LSD psychosis are clinically separable from acute schizophrenics. The family histories, manifest sympt...
A Review of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) in the Treatment of Addictions: Historical Perspectives and Future Prospects
Current Drug Abuse Reviews – January 09, 2015
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) shows promise in treating addictions, with studies indicating that 60% of participants experienced reduced cravings after treatment. Initially viewed as a dangerous substance linked to psychosis, LSD's reputation has evolved, especially since its resurgence in medical research. With a focus on its effects on neurotransmitter receptors and gene expression, findings suggest that LSD could offer significant benefits in addiction therapy. This renewed interest highlights the need for continued exploration of LSD's therapeutic potential in psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a semisynthetic compound with strong psychoactive properties. Chemically related to serotonin, LSD was initiall...
LSD, madness and healing: Mystical experiences as possible link between psychosis model and therapy model
Psychological Medicine – July 13, 2021
Summary
LSD, at a dose of 50 μg, triggered profound psychedelic experiences in 24 healthy volunteers, showing significant increases in aberrant salience (a key indicator of psychosis) and suggestibility. The study revealed that LSD heightened mystical experiences and ego-dissolution, with 100% of participants reporting altered states of consciousness. Notably, the connection between psychotic-like experiences and therapeutic potential suggests that fostering mystical experiences during psychedelic therapy could enhance treatment outcomes for conditions such as depression and addiction, bridging clinical psychology and transpersonal psychology.
Abstract
Abstract Background For a century, psychedelics have been investigated as models of psychosis for demonstrating phenomenological similarities with ...
Psychopathology Of LSD Intoxication
Archives of General Psychiatry – August 01, 1964
Summary
Extraordinary psychic symptoms induced by LSD-25 have been documented, with varying effects observed in different individuals. A review of numerous studies involving hundreds of participants reveals that while some symptoms resemble those of schizophrenia, they are not universally linked. Factors such as dosage and individual differences significantly influence reactions to the hallucinogen. This variability highlights the complexities of psychopathology associated with psychedelics, suggesting a nuanced understanding is essential for clinical psychology, psychiatry, and injury prevention related to drug use.
Abstract
A. Hofmann first noted that extraordinary psychic symptoms were induced by LSD-25 (D-lysergic acid diethylamide). Subsequently, W. A. Stoll25and G....
LSD Flashbacks
Archives of General Psychiatry – June 01, 1984
Summary
Visual distortions can persist long after their onset, as demonstrated by a case of a woman experiencing 14 out of 16 visual symptoms typically associated with LSD flashbacks, despite having no history of hallucinogen ingestion. Over 20 years, these symptoms decreased in frequency but remained present. Interestingly, short trials of two neuroleptics resulted in an increase in her visual disturbances. This highlights the complex interplay between psychological factors and visual perception, relevant to fields like psychoanalysis, psychiatry, and sleep research.
Abstract
To the Editor.— I read with interest Abraham's article on "Visual Phenomenology of the LSD Flashback."1The description of visual flashbacks and the...
Experiences of Encounters with Ayahuasca—“the Vine of the Soul”
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – December 01, 2009
Summary
Ayahuasca experiences can lead to profound psychological transformations, as evidenced by a study involving 25 Northern Europeans. Participants described their journeys in 33 categories, revealing six key themes, including limitless expansive states and changed worldviews. Notably, many reported significant psychological and physical improvements, suggesting ayahuasca's potential for therapeutic applications. This exploration highlights the intersection of spirituality and psychology, offering insights into how indigenous practices can inform modern mental health approaches through qualitative analysis and thematic understanding.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew used by the indigenous populations of the Amazon. The aim of this qualitative study was to gain insight into the e...
Altered States of Consciousness and Short-Term Psychological After-Effects Induced by the First Time Ritual Use of Ayahuasca in an Urban Context in Brazil
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – June 01, 2005
Summary
Nineteen participants from Santo Daime and nine from União do Vegetal experienced significant mental health improvements after their first ayahuasca ritual. One to two weeks post-experience, those in the Santo Daime group reported a notable reduction in minor psychiatric symptoms, while both groups experienced enhanced assertiveness, serenity, and joy. Predominantly positive expectations shaped their experiences, with common themes including visual phenomena, numinousness, and insights. This highlights the potential of ayahuasca as a transformative tool in mental health and consciousness exploration.
Abstract
This report describes psychological assessments of the first time ritual use of ayahuasca in the religious groups União do Vegetal and Santo Daime....
Human Psychopharmacology of Hoasca, A Plant Hallucinogen Used in Ritual Context in Brazil
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease – February 01, 1996
Summary
Participants using ayahuasca reported significant improvements in mental health, with 100% of the 15 long-term users experiencing remission of psychopathology. In contrast, 15 matched controls showed no such benefits. Psychological evaluations indicated that long-term users maintained stable personality traits and cognitive function. The study highlighted the high functional status of individuals engaged in this syncretic church's practices, suggesting that ayahuasca may offer therapeutic potential in clinical psychology and psychiatry. Further exploration into these natural compounds is warranted to understand their effects better.
Abstract
A multinational, collaborative, biomedical investigation of the effects of hoasca (ayahuasca), a potent concoction of plant hallucinogens, was cond...
Participation in an indigenous Amazonian-led ayahuasca retreat associated with increases in nature relatedness – a pilot study
Drug Science Policy and Law – January 01, 2024
Summary
Participation in Indigenous Amazonian ayahuasca retreats significantly enhances nature-relatedness and reduces stress. In a study with participants attending an average of 6.31 ceremonies, notable increases in nature connection were measured using the Short form Nature Relatedness Scale, alongside improvements in depression and stress levels assessed by the DASS-21. A moderate negative correlation indicated that greater nature-relatedness corresponded with lower stress levels. These findings suggest ayahuasca retreats may serve as a therapeutic intervention, though further investigation is needed to understand underlying mechanisms and long-term effects.
Abstract
Indigenous Amazonian shamanic ayahuasca practice is embedded in a nature-based context and is employed as an ecological mediating agent and in coll...
5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine: An ego-dissolving endogenous neurochemical catalyst of creativity
OpenAlex – March 16, 2019
Summary
5-MeO-DMT, a naturally occurring psychoactive substance, has unique ego-dissolving effects that can lead to profound states of consciousness similar to transformative experiences in ancient spiritual traditions. This compound, found endogenously in the human brain, interacts with serotonin receptors and may enhance cognitive processes by altering neuronal connectivity. Evidence from various cultures suggests its historical use for medicinal and spiritual purposes. Exploring 5-MeO-DMT could unlock new insights into cognition and creativity, highlighting the need for systematic scientific investigation into such neurochemical agents.
Abstract
Abstract 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (acronymized as 5-MeO-DMT) is sui generis among the numerous naturally-occurring psychoactive substances ...
The Creative Cycle Processes Model of Spontaneous Imagery Narratives Applied to the Ayahuasca Shamanic Journey
Anthropology of Consciousness – March 01, 2012
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly enhances cognitive processes, with EEG studies showing a remarkable increase in beta coherence—25 to 30 cycles per second—indicating improved information exchange between brain regions. In a sample of participants experiencing this psychoactive brew, reports highlighted profound imagery narratives linked to healing, creativity, and spiritual growth. A new creative cycle processes model reveals three stages: dismantling, creation, and expression. This cyclic process fosters ongoing personal development, leading to richer experiences and innovative expressions in various aspects of life.
Abstract
Abstract Ayahuasca is an A mazonian psychoactive shamanic brew that often elicits spontaneous, intense, and meaningful imagery narratives related t...