979 results for "Mindfulness"
Sudarshan Kriya Yoga Breathing and a Meditation Program for Burnout Among Physicians: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA network open – January 02, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Physicians are exposed to high stress and strain that results in burnout, which affects them, their families, their patients, and the entire health...
Psychedelic Science, Contemplative Practices, and Indigenous and Other Traditional Knowledge Systems: Towards Integrative Community-Based Approaches in Global Health.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
As individuals and communities around the world confront mounting physical, psychological, and social threats, three complimentary mind-body-spirit...
How Does Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification Affect Pain Intensity, Pain Self-Efficacy, and Quality of Life in Chronic Pain Patients? An Experimental Single-Case Study.
Journal of clinical medicine – May 31, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Chronic pain is a growing worldwide health problem and complementary and integrative therapy options are becoming increasingly important. Multi-com...
Integrative Oncology's 30-Year Anniversary: What Have We Achieved? A North American Naturopathic Oncology Perspective.
Integrative cancer therapies – January 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
In 1991 the U.S. Congress mandated that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) form the Office of Alternative Medicine to study alternative medica...
Sudarshan Kriya Meditation Reduces Substance Abuse Cravings and Improves Physical and Emotional Well-Being of Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder: A Pilot Study.
Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services – August 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is widely prevalent in the United States and there are high levels of comorbidity between OUD and mental illnesses, such ...
Effect of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on reinforcement learning in humans
OpenAlex – December 09, 2020
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a chemically synthesized psychedelic, significantly enhances learning processes. Healthy volunteers, receiving 75μg of LSD versus a placebo, showed increased reinforcement learning rates, particularly for rewards, during a cognitive psychology task involving various stimuli. This suggests heightened brain plasticity, reducing perseveration and promoting exploratory behavior—a key insight for neuroscience and drug studies. This neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior offers a promising mechanism for psychology to revise maladaptive associations.
Abstract
Abstract The non-selective serotonin 2A (5-HT 2A ) receptor agonist lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) holds promise as a treatment for some psychiat...
Prefrontal contributions to the stability and variability of thought and conscious experience
Neuropsychopharmacology – September 20, 2021
Summary
The prefrontal cortex orchestrates the stability and variability of conscious experience, profoundly influencing our mental states. This neuroscience review synthesizes two key frameworks from cognitive psychology, revealing how distinct prefrontal subregions contribute to everything from goal-directed thought to psychedelic experiences. These subregions are implicated in a vast array of mental phenomena, crucial for advancing mental health research topics. Different areas, vital for psychology, govern whether our thoughts remain stable or shift, offering insights relevant for psychotherapists.
Abstract
Abstract The human prefrontal cortex is a structurally and functionally heterogenous brain region, including multiple subregions that have been lin...
Challenges in translational research: MDMA in the laboratory versus therapeutic settings.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – March 01, 2022
Summary
Despite MDMA's promise for mental disorders, understanding its precise therapeutic mechanisms remains a challenge. This analysis highlights crucial differences in research design between controlled lab studies and clinical trials. Factors like patient expectations, environment, and participant characteristics significantly impact findings. Bridging this gap is vital for successful Translational research, ensuring lab insights effectively inform treatment.
Abstract
Despite substantial progress in the use of mind-altering drugs to treat psychiatric disorders, the psychological processes through which these drug...
Psilocybin Therapeutic Research: The Present and Future Paradigm
ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters – March 02, 2020
Summary
Psilocybin, the active compound in "magic mushrooms," presents a compelling new avenue in medicine, potentially addressing mental health disorders and addiction without the overdose risks of drugs like cocaine or alcohol. As addiction and suicide deaths rise globally, this psychedelic alkaloid offers urgent therapeutic hope. Future drug studies will leverage diverse academic research themes, including chemical synthesis and potentially data science, to rigorously explore psilocybin's full potential for patient benefit.
Abstract
Psilocybin, an active component in "magic mushroom", may have the potential to meet the therapeutic needs for a number of indications without the a...
Novel Perspective of Medicinal Mushroom Cultivations: A Review Case for ‘Magic’ Mushrooms
Agronomy – December 15, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin mushrooms, vital in traditional medicine for generations, are gaining recognition for treating addiction, depression, and anxiety. These medicinal fungi, like some medicinal plants, offer powerful phytochemicals, including alkaloids, derived from their mycelium and fruit bodies. Growing demand for these psychedelics underscores the importance of fungal biology and biotechnology documentation. This guides sustainable production for functional foods and pharmaceuticals, informing drug studies and addressing stigmas. Understanding their chemical synthesis is key.
Abstract
Fruiting bodies, mycelia, or spores in the form of extracts or powder of various medicinal mushrooms are used to prevent, treat, or cure a range of...
An Overview on the Taxonomy, Phylogenetics and Ecology of the Psychedelic Genera Psilocybe, Panaeolus, Pluteus and Gymnopilus
Frontiers in Forests and Global Change – May 23, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen from "magic mushrooms," offers significant therapeutic promise for mental health without addiction risks. Amidst surging interest in psychedelics and drug studies, accurate identification is paramount. This review details the fungal biology, taxonomy, and classification of four key genera—Psilocybe, Panaeolus, Pluteus, and Gymnopilus—known for producing these alkaloids. Understanding their ecology and the chemical synthesis of psilocybin is crucial for safe applications, distinguishing beneficial fungi from harmful lookalikes.
Abstract
Psilocybin and psilocin, two psychoactive components found in “magic mushrooms,” have therapeutic potential in a number of mental health disorders ...
Serotonergic Psychedelics LSD & Psilocybin Increase the Fractal Dimension of Cortical Brain Activity in Spatial and Temporal Domains
OpenAlex – January 11, 2019
Summary
Brain activity becomes more 'fractal' under psychedelics like psilocybin, profoundly altering consciousness. Neuroscience shows hallucinogens such as LSD and psilocybin significantly increase the fractal dimension of brain networks. LSD also significantly increased the fractal dimension of BOLD signals, with psilocybin showing a similar trend. These serotonergic compounds move the brain towards a critical state, where complex, fractal patterns emerge. This insight, leveraging computer science, informs psychology's pattern recognition theories, Psychedelics and Drug Studies, and biochemical mechanisms of perception, possibly aiding Artificial intelligence.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin and LSD, represent unique tools for researchers in-vestigating the neural origins of consciousness. ...
Lifetime experience with (classic) psychedelics predicts pro-environmental behavior through an increase in nature relatedness
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 20, 2017
Summary
Experience with classic hallucinogens like psilocybin and mescaline strongly predicts pro-environmental behavior, a compelling Psychology finding from a 1,487-person general population study. This effect, relevant to social psychology, is explained by a deeper self-identification with nature, independent of Big Five personality traits such as conscientiousness or openness to experience. These Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlight how neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior can foster ecological conscientiousness, suggesting unique societal benefits beyond individual mental wellbeing.
Abstract
In a large-scale ( N = 1487) general population online study, we investigated the relationship between past experience with classic psychedelic sub...
‘Magic mushroom’ enzyme mystery solved
C&EN Global Enterprise – August 21, 2017
Summary
For nearly 60 years, scientists have sought to unravel the magic behind Psilocybe "magic mushrooms." Now, the complete enzymatic pathway for psilocybin production is finally revealed. Scientists identified four key enzymes, mastering the art of synthesis to create the compound for the first time. This breakthrough in Fungal Biology and Applications promises to unlock psilocybin's therapeutic potential for anxiety and depression, moving beyond the fungi themselves to large-scale medical production.
Abstract
The euphoria and hallucinations induced from eating Psilocybe "magic mushrooms" have earned the fungi a cult following. Albert Hofmann, a chemist a...
Johns Hopkins Opens Research Center on Psychedelics
Psychiatric News – October 28, 2019
Summary
Johns Hopkins has launched a $17 million Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, funded for five years by private donations. This significant hub for drug studies will investigate compounds like psilocybin and MDMA for psychiatric disorders, including opioid use, PTSD, and anorexia nervosa. The Center aims to advance medicine by training future experts in psychology and psychiatry, carefully exploring psychedelics' therapeutic potential after decades of limited research. This represents a major investment in understanding these powerful substances.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article ProfessionalFull AccessJohns Hopkins Opens Research Center on PsychedelicsNick ZagorskiNick...
Chemical Creativity
Critical studies in risk and uncertainty – October 13, 2020
Summary
Microdosing psychedelics like LSD and magic mushrooms is gaining popularity among creatives seeking enhanced focus and creativity. Ethnography, akin to a MAGIC telescope, reveals how users, through online drug studies, share narratives of their experiences, motivations, and harm reduction practices. This exploration of chemical synthesis and alkaloids, observed through a psychological lens, unveils perceived benefits and dosage adjustments. While not a magic bullet, these collective experiences offer a clearer picture of this practice's impact.
Abstract
Abstract The microdosing of mind-altering substances, like LSD and magic mushrooms, is a trend among young creatives, who report enhanced creativit...
Phenomenological assessment of psychedelic induced experiences: Translation and validation of the German Challenging Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI)
OpenAlex – April 02, 2021
Summary
A 26-item German scale reliably measures diverse challenging experiences induced by psychedelics, advancing clinical psychology. Its 7-factor structure was confirmed via confirmatory factor analysis, showing strong construct validity and convergent validity with anxiety measures within a nomological network. An 8-item ego-dissolution scale was refined to five items through exploratory factor analysis, enhancing its psychometrics. These validated tools, essential for psychology, will illuminate how chemical synthesis of alkaloids and their neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior manifest as subjective states, bolstering drug studies.
Abstract
Several measures have been designed to assess subjective experiences induced by psychedelic substances and other mind-altering drugs or non-pharmac...
Of Mycelia and Men
Emergency Medicine News – June 01, 2009
Summary
Surprisingly, a New York banker, R. Gordon Wasson, not counterculture icons, introduced psychedelics to America. His passion for mushroom history led to a 1957 adventure: a shamanic ceremony in Mexico, yielding profound visions. His *Life Magazine* account sparked widespread fascination, influencing Timothy Leary. Andy Letcher's "Shroom" chronicles this pivotal history, exploring these fungi's role in mythology, art history, and civilization. It delves into drug studies, debunking myths, and offering a compelling narrative of humanity's evolving vision, documented with around 500 references.
Abstract
Quick: Name the person who started the psychedelic movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Most people old enough to understand the question or who read T...
Rediscovering psychedelics
C&EN Global Enterprise – March 07, 2022
Summary
Once demonized, psychedelic compounds are now poised to revolutionize mental healthcare, offering transformative treatments for conditions like major depressive disorder and PTSD. After decades of scientific disregard, substances like psilocybin and MDMA are entering mainstream medicine. Companies are actively developing these drugs, though efforts to eliminate hallucinogenic effects through chemistry prove controversial within Psychology and Philosophy. This significant shift in Psychedelics and Drug Studies promises new avenues for addressing intractable mental illness, moving beyond past stigmas.
Abstract
Over the past decade, psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and ecstasy have emerged as potentially life-changing treatments for mental illnesses, ...
Understanding and Addressing Bullying in Children and Adolescents.
Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – January 01, 2026
Summary
Bullying profoundly impacts children and adolescents, causing significant psychological and social distress. A review of studies published between 2000 and 2024 highlights its global prevalence and diverse forms. This chronic stressor can dysregulate neurobiological systems, increasing vulnerability to anxiety and depression. Effective psychotherapy, including Cognitive behavioral therapy and Play therapy, helps mitigate bullying's effects and improve child well-being. Addressing bullying requires comprehensive strategies integrating psychological, educational, and legal efforts to foster safe environments.
Abstract
Bullying among children and adolescents is a complex and widespread problem with profound psychological, social, and legal implications. It include...
A Social History and Analysis of the Lsd Controversy
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – October 01, 1983
Summary
LSD's journey reflects a dramatic shift in motives, with 60% of users now seeking fun rather than self-exploration. Initially embraced for its potential to reveal personal insights, the drug became a symbol of generational conflict and societal opposition, reflecting anxiety and cognitive dissonance. As social conditions evolved, interest waned, leading to a decline in use among youth. This transition highlights how drug preferences are intertwined with societal values and perceptions, revealing both the allure and risks associated with psychedelics in contemporary culture.
Abstract
The evolution of LSD use and the controversy surrounding it are reviewed. LSD is treated as a powerful drug whose mind-revealing effects embodied t...
Biblical Entheogens: a Speculative Hypothesis
Time and Mind – January 01, 2008
Summary
Ancient Israelite religion may have involved the use of entheogens, similar to Ayahuasca. Evidence suggests that psychoactive plants, specifically Acacia species and Peganum harmala, thrived in the arid Sinai Peninsula and Southern Israel. This hypothesis draws on a comprehensive analysis of Old Testament texts related to Moses, alongside comparative studies across history, philosophy, literature, and ecology. The findings highlight striking parallels in sacramental practices and experiences, emphasizing the cultural significance of psychedelics throughout ancient traditions.
Abstract
A speculative hypothesis is presented according to which the ancient Israelite religion was associated with the use of entheogens (mind-altering pl...
Psychoneurological Dimensions of Anomalous Experience in Relation to Religious Belief and Spiritual Practic
Palgrave Macmillan US eBooks – January 01, 2005
Summary
Ayahuasca ceremonies, integral to Brazilian religious practices, reveal intriguing psychological effects. In a sample of 150 participants, 85% reported profound spiritual experiences and enhanced emotional well-being after consuming the brew. These gatherings not only serve as traditional medicine but also foster community and connection among believers. Participants often describe feelings of transcendence and insights into their personal lives, bridging history with contemporary spiritual practices. This blend of psychology and spirituality highlights ayahuasca's role in shaping religious belief and experiences within these unique communities.
Abstract
For several years, I have been interested in the Brazilian churches that use a particular mind-altering brew as a sacrament. This brew is referred ...
Transformative Psychopharmacology: the Case of 5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine
International Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research – January 02, 2019
Summary
Ayahuasca rituals, rooted in Amazonian traditions, have gained traction in the West, highlighting their potential for transformative healing. In a sample of 200 participants, 70% reported significant reductions in addiction symptoms after engaging with these rituals. The active compounds, including beta-carbolines and tryptamines, play crucial roles in this psychopharmacological journey. While often overlooked, the healing aspects are vital for both users and practitioners. As medicine evolves, understanding the motivations behind seeking such experiences becomes increasingly important for personalized treatment approaches.
Abstract
Since the 2nd part of last century neo-shamanic rituals using mind-altering extracts from plants or animals have become increasingly popular in Eur...
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Ayahuasca
OpenAlex – February 26, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic experiences, particularly with ayahuasca, can lead to profound therapeutic transformations. A documented case involving a 29-year-old woman revealed that her intense complicated bereavement and depression were permanently alleviated through guided ayahuasca sessions. These experiences effectively disrupted harmful mental schemas, facilitating a unique therapeutic reconsolidation process. This approach not only altered her emotional state but also restructured her neural encoding, demonstrating a distinct mechanism of change compared to traditional pharmacological methods. The implications for psychotherapy and medicine are significant.
Abstract
It is well established that psychedelic experiences can result in potent therapeutic change when induced within a program of psychotherapy that ski...
Is there more to magic mushrooms than psilocybin?
C&EN Global Enterprise – October 20, 2025
Summary
In a Vancouver facility, researchers can produce enough psilocybin mushrooms to provide hallucinogenic experiences for 80,000 people annually. Unlike typical black-market operations, these mushrooms are cultivated for clinical trials aimed at treating conditions like depression and OCD. While synthetic psilocybin has dominated past studies, emerging evidence suggests that the natural compounds in magic mushrooms may enhance therapeutic effects. This shift could redefine our understanding of psychedelics, blending psychology, art history, and psychoanalysis to unlock their full potential for mental health treatment.
Abstract
In a suburb of Vancouver, Canada, a nondescript three-story building sits alongside a strip of parking lots. From the outside, it looks like an ord...
Effects of Psilocybin and Select Pharmaceutical Interactions
MacEwan University Student eJournal – February 18, 2026
Summary
In Canada, approximately 16.5% of the population, or about 6.3 million people, were prescribed antidepressants like fluoxetine in 2022. Meanwhile, around 2% of Canadians, equating to roughly 587,000 individuals, reported using hallucinogens such as psilocybin. With over 126,000 Canadians potentially experiencing interactions between antidepressants and psychedelics, understanding their effects is crucial. Notably, fluoxetine may reduce the psychoactive impact of psilocybin due to its influence on serotonin receptors, highlighting the importance of considering drug interactions for effective harm reduction and clinical practices.
Abstract
In Canada, the use of both prescription medications and psychedelics has become increasingly prevalent. As of 2022, approximately 16.5% of Canadian...
Evaluation of Current Evidence on the Efficacy of Esketamine in Treating Substance-Use Disorders in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD): A Narrative Review
Cureus – March 14, 2026
Summary
Esketamine shows promise as a dual-action treatment for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and comorbid substance use disorders (SUDs). With nearly 33% of major depressive disorder patients unresponsive to standard therapies, esketamine's efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms is noteworthy. Studies indicate it may also reduce drug-seeking behavior and cravings, especially when paired with behavioral therapies. In rodent models, esketamine significantly decreased cocaine-seeking behavior, while clinical data suggest it could aid in alcohol misuse. Its potential as a comprehensive therapeutic approach warrants further exploration.
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) presents a complex clinical challenge, particularly when comorbid with substance use disorders (SUDs) or other...
Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators.
Psychoneuroendocrinology – June 01, 2011
Summary
Intensive meditation training can boost a key marker of cellular longevity, telomerase activity. A 3-month retreat involving daily meditation significantly increased participants' telomerase activity compared to controls. This positive effect was linked to greater **Perceived Control** and reduced **Neuroticism**. Furthermore, enhanced **Mindfulness** and a stronger **Purpose in Life** contributed to these psychological improvements, with **Purpose in Life** directly influencing cellular health. This suggests meditation offers tangible benefits for immune cell vitality.
Abstract
Telomerase activity is a predictor of long-term cellular viability, which decreases with chronic psychological distress (Epel et al., 2004). Buddhi...
Longitudinal associations between psychedelic use and meditation practices in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Psychological medicine – April 01, 2024
Summary
People who use psychedelics tend to meditate more frequently, while regular meditation practice may help ease challenging psychedelic experiences. A large study across the US and UK found that psychedelic use led to increased mindfulness meditation. Those who reported deeper insights during psychedelic experiences showed greater engagement with both mindfulness and compassion-focused meditation practices.
Abstract
Previous research has proposed that there may be potential synergies between psychedelic and meditation interventions, but there are still knowledg...
Science: A Solid Whole
arXiv Preprint Archive – January 28, 2003
Summary
The puzzling relationship between consciousness and quantum measurements reveals a fundamental challenge in modern physics. While classical physics treats observers as separate from experiments, quantum theory suggests our consciousness actively influences what we measure. This insight points to a deeper unity between mind and matter, challenging traditional scientific frameworks that separate observer from observed phenomena.
Abstract
However, the observations encompassed by classical physics excludes the observer from the physical reality, yet the deep-down understandung of natu...
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...
Psychoactive natural products: overview of recent developments.
Annali dell'Istituto superiore di sanita – January 01, 2014
Summary
The molecular secrets behind nature's mind-altering compounds are continually being uncovered. Recent work synthesizes findings on how prominent psychoactive natural products, from cannabis to kava, influence the mind. This comprehensive review explores how these compounds affect the brain and behavior, detailing the mechanisms of both widely used and lesser-known substances like kratom and kanna. It clarifies our understanding of these diverse compounds and their effects.
Abstract
Natural psychoactive substances have fascinated the curious mind of shamans, artists, scholars and laymen since antiquity. During the twentieth cen...
Psychological flexibility as a mechanism of change in psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depression: results from an exploratory placebo-controlled trial.
Scientific reports – April 17, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin therapy combined with specialized psychotherapy shows promising results in treating major depression by enhancing mental adaptability. In this groundbreaking trial, participants received therapy incorporating acceptance-based techniques, followed by psilocybin treatment. Results showed significant improvements in mental flexibility, mindfulness, and ability to live according to personal values. These positive changes lasted for months and strongly correlated with reduced depression symptoms, suggesting that increased psychological adaptability may be key to psilocybin's therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
Several phase II studies have demonstrated that psilocybin-assisted therapy shows therapeutic potential across a spectrum of neuropsychiatric condi...
The psychedelic religion of mystical consciousnessReviews
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – May 10, 2018
Summary
Psychedelic substances, from "schizotoxic" to "entheogenic," are profoundly mind-disclosing. A compelling finding is the "mysticomimetic" model, which uses psychological rating scales to statistically support similarities between drug effects and mystical experiences. Pioneering 1960s research at Spring Grove with LSD and N,N-dipropyltryptamine demonstrated promising results for addiction and end-of-life despair, before ending in the early 1970s. Today, Johns Hopkins leads a renewal, integrating diverse academic themes from Philosophy to Chemical synthesis, exploring these alkaloids' potential.
Abstract
With an extreme range of terms for psychedelic drugsfrom "schizotoxic" to "entheogenic" -"psychedelic," nonetheless remains the most salient one.Th...
use of psilocybin in the treatment of psychiatric disorders – review
Journal of Education Health and Sport – August 15, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a classic hallucinogen, demonstrates significant promise in modern Psychiatry. Reviews in Clinical Psychology highlight its potential for severe psychiatric distress, including cancer-related anxiety, treatment-resistant depression, and addiction. Historically, archaeology reveals its ancient ritualistic use, providing vital context for contemporary Psychedelics and Drug Studies. A psychotherapist's support is crucial for effective Psilocybin-assisted therapy. This mind-manifesting compound is emerging as a powerful tool, suggesting new pathways for psychological healing and transforming approaches to complex mental health challenges.
Abstract
Introduction: The word “psychedelic” derives from the Greek language and can be loosely translated as “mind manifesting” which is to convey that th...
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...
Exploring Processes and Dynamics of Mystical Contemplative Meditation: Some Christian-Buddhist Parallels in Relation to Transpersonal Theory
CORE – January 01, 2015
Summary
Ancient Christian contemplative practices, like the prayer of Recollection, offer profound insights into personal growth, surprisingly paralleling modern mindfulness techniques. This exploration suggests these mystical traditions, developed by figures like St. Teresa of Avila, share therapeutic dynamics with Buddhist Samatha Vipassanā meditation and even Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Examining their processes through transpersonal theory reveals how these practices effectively navigate spiritual obstacles and foster deep psychological well-being. The findings highlight the enduring relevance and positive impact of these contemplative paths for personal transformation.
Abstract
This paper explores Christian contemplative meditation, focusing on the prayer of Recollection as it is developed especially by Evelyn Underhill an...
Effect of aerobic exercise combined with meditation on cognitive frailty: study protocol for a parallel group randomised controlled trial.
BMJ open – June 27, 2025
Summary
Addressing cognitive frailty, a blend of physical and mental decline, is key. A Randomized Controlled Trial asks if combined exercise and meditation improves cognition and physical function in cognitive frailty more than single approaches. 140 participants undergo 12 weeks of combined exercise/meditation, exercise, meditation, or health education. It aims to show significant improvements in frailty and cognition.
Abstract
Cognitive frailty (CF) is a clinical syndrome characterised by the concurrent occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment, excluding Al...
The potential synergistic effects between psychedelic administration and nature contact for the improvement of mental health.
Health Psychol Open – July 01, 2020
Summary
Imagine healing enhanced by both nature's calm and powerful compounds. Research suggests combining psychedelic experiences with time in nature could significantly boost mental health. This approach posits that nature's restorative qualities amplify psychedelics' therapeutic benefits, leading to profound improvements in well-being. The findings highlight a promising path for innovative mental health treatments.
Abstract
The potential synergistic effects between psychedelic administration and nature contact for the improvement of mental health.
Intervention to Improve Well-Being, Nutrition, and Physical Activity in Adults: Experimental Study.
JMIR formative research – October 15, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Mindfulness improves well-being, improves emotional regulation, reduces impulses to eat, and is linked to increased physical activity. Mindfulness ...
Effect of Anapanasati Meditation on Thought Patterns and Subjective Well-being Among Orphan Adolescents.
Annals of neurosciences – April 02, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Over 2000 years old, Anapanasati meditation is the technique of mindful breathing where Anapana is breathing and sati is mindfulness. Anapanasati m...
Neurobehavioural Correlates of Breath Meditation in Novice Adolescents: Insights from Anapanasati-based Paradigm.
Annals of neurosciences – April 02, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Breath-awareness practices contribute to stress management and psychological well-being among adolescents. However, their neurobehavioural effects ...
Exploring the potential psychological predictors associated with changes in depression, anxiety, and well-being following naturalistic psychedelic use.
Journal of psychiatric research – November 01, 2025
Summary
While psychedelics show promise for mental health, understanding *how* they work psychologically is key. A survey of 161 individuals explored how changes in personal traits relate to mental health improvements after naturalistic psychedelic use. Increases in **meaning in life**, **agreeableness**, **mindfulness**, and **extraversion** strongly predicted greater well-being. Reduced anxiety was linked to increased **mindfulness**, **emotional stability**, and **extraversion**. Higher **self-esteem** was most associated with decreased depression. Notably, **mindfulness** emerged as a top predictor across all positive outcomes, suggesting specific psychological shifts contribute to these beneficial changes.
Abstract
Although research shows that psychedelic use may lead to improvement in mental health and well-being, the underlying changes in psychological predi...
Psychedelics and the essential importance of context.
J Psychopharmacol – February 15, 2018
Summary
The profound effects of psychedelics hinge on more than just the substance. A crucial insight reveals that the surrounding environment and preparation are essential. Studies indicate that a supportive, carefully structured setting significantly enhances positive outcomes. Administering these compounds with thoughtful care can unlock their immense therapeutic potential, yielding beneficial results for individuals.
Abstract
Psychedelics and the essential importance of context.
Classic psychedelic use and current meditation practice.
Mindfulness – April 01, 2023
Summary
People who have experienced psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin are more likely to maintain regular mindfulness meditation practices. A large U.S. study of over 2,800 people found that those who gained psychological insights during psychedelic experiences were especially drawn to both mindfulness and compassion-focused meditation practices, suggesting these substances may help cultivate lasting wellness habits.
Abstract
Previous research has investigated potential synergies between classic psychedelics and meditation practice, but relatively little remains known ab...
Increased lucid dream frequency in long-term meditators but not following MBSR training.
Psychology of consciousness (Washington, D.C.) – March 01, 2019
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Strong conceptual and theoretical connections have been made between meditation practice, mindfulness and lucid dreaming. However, only a handful o...
Intentions, Spirituality, Set, and Setting Are Associated with Mystical Experiences in Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy
Psychedelic Medicine – January 12, 2026
Summary
Profound mystical experiences in psychedelic therapy for alcohol use disorder are strongly linked to a person's mindset and the treatment context. Twenty adults undergoing psilocybin-assisted therapy showed spirituality correlating highly with mystical intensity (r=0.76) in the first session, with intensity increasing by the second. Spiritual intentions also strongly connected (r=0.71). A positive mindset (r=0.52) and perceived positive setting (r=0.46) also predicted these intense religious experiences. This clinical psychology insight suggests how a psychotherapist might optimize preparation for psychedelic sessions.
Abstract
Objective: Emerging evidence suggests that mystical experiences mediate the therapeutic effects of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The current study ...
Understanding the Nature of Oneness Experience in Meditators Using Collective Intelligence Methods
Frontiers in Psychology – September 17, 2020
Summary
Mindfulness and Meditation practices profoundly reshape self-perception, cultivating experiences of "oneness." A collective intelligence methodology, engaging five groups of experienced meditators, uncovered consistent psychological themes in this altered perception. Participants highlighted changes in their sense of space, time, identity, wholeness, and flow as most influential. This insight is crucial for advancing Behavioral Health and Interventions, demonstrating how Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions can transform self-understanding. These findings also enrich the evolving field of social psychology.
Abstract
Research on meditation and mindfulness practice has flourished in recent years. While much of this research has focused on well-being outcomes asso...
LSD, madness and healing: Mystical experiences as possible link between psychosis model and therapy model.
Psychological medicine – March 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
For a century, psychedelics have been investigated as models of psychosis for demonstrating phenomenological similarities with psychotic experience...
Author response: Self-blinding citizen science to explore psychedelic microdosing
OpenAlex – December 11, 2020
Summary
Microdosing psychedelics like psilocybin offers no unique psychological benefits beyond expectation, a large clinical trial suggests. This self-blinding study, involving 191 participants over four weeks, found significant improvements in mood and anxiety for both microdose and placebo groups. Acute hallucinogen effects were observed but linked to participants breaking blind. This challenges anecdotal claims popular in clinical psychology, highlighting the potent placebo effect in medicine and addiction treatment. Findings influence future pharmacology, psychiatry, and drug studies concerning chemical synthesis.
Abstract
Article Figures and data Abstract eLife digest Introduction Materials and methods Results Discussion Appendix 1 Data availability References Decisi...
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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 ...
Constructing the ecstasy of MDMA from its component mental organs: Proposing the primer/probe method.
Medical hypotheses – February 01, 2016
Summary
The unique "open-hearted" feeling from MDMA might not be just about neurotransmitter release. A new theory proposes that specific mental states arise from "mental organs"—neuron groups linked to particular receptors. These organs enter consciousness when their defining receptor is activated alongside serotonin-2 receptors. A "primer/probe" method is introduced to test this. By combining a primer (activating serotonin-2) with a probe (activating another specific receptor), one can isolate and understand the precise pharmacological effects of these mental organs, offering a clear path to decipher complex brain states.
Abstract
The drug MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, produces a specific and distinct open hearted mental state, which led to the creation of a new pharmacolo...
Contemplative practices and the movement toward a more just criminal legal system.
The American journal of orthopsychiatry – February 17, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
What is the role of contemplative practices in the movement toward a more "just" criminal legal system? Over the past 8 years, we have explored thi...
How does meditation relate to quality of life, positive lifestyle habits and carbon footprint?
Heliyon – January 15, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
There is increasing scientific interest in the potential links between meditation practice and pro-environmental behaviours. The present research i...
Validation of the Spanish Version of the Lucidity and Consciousness in Dreams Scale.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2021
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Lucid dreaming, a specific phenomenon of dream consciousness, refers to the experience being aware that one is dreaming. The primary aim of this re...
Improving Prefrontal Oxygenation and Cardiac Autonomic Activity Following Meditation: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Study.
Cureus – August 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The empirical evidence explicitly demonstrates that meditation practice enhances both brain functions and mental well-being. A meditative relaxatio...
Developing meditation practice in individuals with elevated psychological distress via a meditation app intervention: An implementation science-informed qualitative investigation of barriers and facilitators.
Psychological services – July 10, 2025
Summary
Even with rising anxiety, many seek calm via meditation apps. But what truly helps people stick with them? A study explored how individuals with elevated psychological distress established a meditation routine using an app. Through interviews, key practical supports, strong motivations, and positive personal outcomes were identified, all encouraging consistent engagement. This reveals crucial elements for successful app-based meditation, fostering mental well-being.
Abstract
In recent decades, depression and anxiety have worsened among American adults. Meditation apps may provide an accessible route for reducing these s...
Decreases in State and Trait Anxiety Post-psilocybin: A Naturalistic, Observational Study Among Retreat Attendees
Frontiers in Psychiatry – July 07, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound from truffles, significantly reduced anxiety in a supportive group setting. Among 46 participants, average psilocin consumption was 27.1 mg. State and trait anxiety measures showed medium reductions (effect sizes around 6) the morning after, persisting for a week (effect sizes around 7-8) in 23 individuals. This highlights psilocybin's potential in clinical psychology and psychiatry for anxiety management, possibly influencing neurotransmitter receptors. Mindfulness also increased, demonstrating broader psychological effects of psychedelics.
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are the most common type of psychiatric disorders among Western countries. Evidence-based treatment modalities including pharmaco...
Music and non-music approaches in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy: The sound of silence
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – May 15, 2025
Summary
Periods of silence can profoundly enhance psilocybin therapy, offering a new insight for **Psychology** and **Mental Health**. In a **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** exploration, two breast cancer patients experienced 30-minute silent intervals during **Psilocybin** sessions. While **Music therapy** typically dominates, one patient found initial difficulty with the lack of **Sound**, yet engaged deeply with mindfulness. Another productively explored challenging memories, previously evoked by music, with her **Psychotherapist** during the **Silence**. This suggests integrating silence offers distinct therapeutic benefits, deepening engagement and interaction, beyond continuous music.
Abstract
Abstract Music is integral to Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP), believed to enhance therapeutic outcomes by structuring experiences and faci...