99 results for "Self-Awareness"
Brain Networks, Neurotransmitters and Psychedelics: Towards a Neurochemistry of Self-Awareness.
Current neurology and neuroscience reports – August 01, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin can dramatically alter how we experience ourselves and process emotions. Research shows these substances affect brain networks responsible for self-awareness, improving emotional regulation and metacognition. By influencing how we sense our internal state (interoception) and feel a sense of agency, these compounds may help people develop better self-understanding and coping skills.
Abstract
Self-awareness can be defined as the capacity of becoming the object of one's own awareness and, increasingly, it has been the target of scientific...
Measure of Significance of Holotropic Breathwork in the Development of Self-Awareness.
J Altern Complement Med – November 13, 2015
Summary
A unique breathing practice significantly enhances self-awareness. Research explored if this technique could deepen self-understanding, hypothesizing a positive impact. Participants engaged in structured, guided breathwork sessions. Findings revealed notable improvements in self-perception and emotional insight, demonstrating a profound positive effect. This suggests the method is a powerful tool for personal growth and inner discovery.
Abstract
Measure of Significance of Holotropic Breathwork in the Development of Self-Awareness.
Neural Circuits, Microtubule Processing, Brain's Electromagnetic Field-Components of Self-Awareness.
Brain sciences – July 25, 2021
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The known theories discussing the essence of consciousness have been recently updated. This prompts an attempt to integrate these explanations conc...
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Meditative Experience as Factors of Personal Change
Bulletin of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Psychology – January 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy significantly boosts subjective well-being. For 33 individuals, combining meditation with psychedelic therapy notably reduced anxiety and improved self-awareness. This offers a powerful alternative for mental health challenges like depression, where traditional clinical psychology, often involving a psychotherapist, or psychiatry may fall short. Such drug studies provide hope for populations facing acute distress, enhancing psychological well-being. These novel approaches, leveraging specific alkaloids, represent a new frontier in mental health treatment.
Abstract
Background. As a result of the military attack in Ukraine, both the military and civilian population are facing mental health disorders such as pos...
Electrophysiological correlates of lucid dreaming: sensor and source level signatures
bioRxiv Preprint Server – April 09, 2024
Summary
Conscious awareness during dreams has a unique brain signature. Researchers developed refined methods to analyze brain signals from many participants. While surface activity resembles regular dreams, deeper brain regions reveal distinct patterns. Increased gamma waves in temporal areas suggest verbal insight and self-reflection. Reduced beta waves in parietal regions may reflect a conscious reality check. Crucially, enhanced alpha connectivity indicates heightened self-awareness. These findings successfully map the neural basis of lucid dreaming.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a state of conscious awareness of the current dream state, predominantly associated with REM sleep. Research progress in unc...
Attempted induction of signalled lucid dreaming by transcranial alternating current stimulation.
Consciousness and cognition – August 01, 2020
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Neurophysiological correlates of self-awareness during sleep ('lucid dreaming') remain unclear despite their importance for clarifying the neural u...
Integrating mindfulness into the academic curriculum: A qualitative study.
Journal of American college health : J of ACH – June 05, 2025
Summary
College students who learned meditation techniques showed remarkable improvements in stress management and self-awareness. Through contemplative education practices, including Koru Mindfulness exercises, participants developed practical tools for emotional regulation and academic focus. The program, integrated into regular coursework, helped students cultivate mindfulness habits that enhanced both their classroom performance and overall wellbeing.
Abstract
Objective: Most undergraduate students experience high stress levels, necessitating university support. Meditation-based programs can encourage stu...
Naturalistic use of psychedelics is related to emotional reactivity and self-consciousness: the mediating role of ego-dissolution and mystical experiences
Arabixiv (OSF Preprints) – September 23, 2021
Summary
Regular psychedelic use appears linked to enduring psychological shifts. An online survey of 2,516 participants (66% psychedelic users) revealed more lifetime uses predicted greater positive and lower negative emotional reactivity. It also enhanced self-awareness and reflection, reducing rumination and public self-consciousness. Crucially, intense past mystical and ego-dissolution experiences, central to altered consciousness, mediated these trait-level changes. These findings illuminate psychedelics' long-term impact on trait-level psychology and well-being.
Abstract
Background: Psychedelics are able to acutely alter emotional reactivity and self-consciousness. However, whether the regular naturalistic use of ps...
Looking for the Self: Phenomenology, Neurophysiology and Philosophical Significance of Drug-induced Ego Dissolution
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – May 23, 2017
Summary
High doses of hallucinogens strikingly dissolve the sense of self, a phenomenon, drug-induced ego dissolution. It challenges the psychology of self; consciousness doesn't always require self-awareness. Neuroscience identifies three drug classes inducing this, disrupting the "embodied self" rooted in multimodal sensory function, not just an illusion. Understanding these neural correlates of consciousness informs cognitive psychology and neurophysiology. It offers psychotherapists insights beyond ego depletion or narcissism, impacting cognition and pain management, akin to the placebo effect. This deep dive into the ego provides a unique lens for phenomenology.
Abstract
There is converging evidence that high doses of hallucinogenic drugs can produce significant alterations of self-experience, described as the disso...
Integrating the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment framework with Self-Determination Theory principles to promote Need-Supportive Sport Coaching.
Psychology of sport and exercise – May 31, 2025
Summary
Sport coaches who practice mindfulness show remarkable improvements in their ability to support athletes' psychological needs. By combining Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment principles with Self-Determination theory, coaches developed enhanced self-awareness and stronger connections with athletes. Weekly mindfulness intervention sessions helped coaches regulate emotions, align with personal values, and create more supportive training environments that promote athlete well-being.
Abstract
Need-supportive sport coaching, rooted in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), aims to fulfill athletes' psychological needs, enhancing both performanc...
The Evolved Psychology of Psychedelic Set and Setting: Inferences Regarding the Roles of Shamanism and Entheogenic Ecopsychology
Frontiers in Pharmacology – February 23, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, profoundly shaped human consciousness and psychology. Shamanism offers an ancient framework, demonstrating how these substances stimulated ancient brain structures and innate cognitive modules like self-awareness, "mind reading," and visual intelligence. This **cognitive science** perspective suggests **psychedelics** acted as **exogenous neurotransmitter sources**, influencing **serotonin and dopamine systems**. Integrating **shamanism** into modern **psychedelics and drug studies** can optimize therapeutic settings, leveraging evolved aspects of our **psychology** and **epistemology** for profound healing. This approach reflects deep insights into **neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior**.
Abstract
This review illustrates the relevance of shamanism and its evolution under effects of psilocybin as a framework for identifying evolved aspects of ...
The clinical neuroscience of lucid dreaming.
Neurosci Biobehav Rev – January 14, 2025
Summary
The brain can achieve a unique state of self-awareness even during sleep. Investigations reveal how conscious awareness emerges within dreams, linking it to specific brain activity. By analyzing brain responses, researchers identified distinct neural signatures. This suggests that gaining control in dreams is a verifiable neurological phenomenon, opening exciting possibilities for therapeutic uses, like overcoming nightmares or even practicing skills, highlighting its practical benefits.
Abstract
The clinical neuroscience of lucid dreaming.
Electrophysiological Correlates of Lucid Dreaming: Sensor and Source Level Signatures.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience – May 14, 2025
Summary
During lucid dreams, people become aware they're dreaming while remaining in REM sleep - a fascinating intersection of consciousness and unconsciousness. Brain imaging reveals that lucid dreamers show distinct patterns of neural activity, particularly in regions linked to self-awareness. When people achieve dream lucidity, their brain exhibits reduced activity in certain frequencies but increased connectivity between hemispheres, suggesting heightened metacognition and conscious control of their dream experience.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a state of conscious awareness of the ongoing oneiric state, predominantly linked to REM sleep. Progress in understanding it...
Exploring 5-MeO-DMT as a pharmacological model for deconstructed consciousness.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
A powerful serotonin-based psychedelic compound can temporarily dissolve self-awareness while maintaining consciousness. EEG recordings show reduced brain wave activity during these experiences, suggesting decreased top-down mental processing. Participants reported varying levels of ego dissolution and altered perception, offering insights into how consciousness and self-identity are constructed in the brain.
Abstract
5-MeO-DMT is a short-acting psychedelic that is anecdotally reported to induce a radical disruption of the self and a paradoxical quality of arouse...
Self unbound: ego dissolution in psychedelic experience
Neuroscience of Consciousness – January 01, 2017
Summary
Profound "ego dissolution" experiences from psychedelics challenge our understanding of the Self. This psychological phenomenon suggests our stable "I" is a useful cognitive fiction, a mental representation integrating diverse cognitive processing. This self-model performs a crucial function, unifying cognition across levels. Cognitive psychology and cognitive science propose this isn't merely a narrative, but a robust psychological mechanism. While it binds attributes, the self does not exist as an enduring entity. Psychedelic drug studies offer unique insights into the psychology of self, revealing the self-model's functional role.
Abstract
Users of psychedelic drugs often report that their sense of being a self or 'I' distinct from the rest of the world has diminished or altogether di...
Naturalistic use of psychedelics is related to emotional reactivity and self-consciousness: The mediating role of ego-dissolution and mystical experiences
Journal of Psychopharmacology – August 01, 2022
Summary
Regular psychedelic use may lead to lasting positive psychological shifts. A large survey found that more lifetime use predicted enhanced positive emotional reactivity and reduced negative emotional reactivity. Users also reported improved self-consciousness, including greater reflection and less rumination. These beneficial changes were largely explained by intense past ego-dissolution and mystical experiences, potentially contributing to overall well-being.
Abstract
Background: Psychedelics are able to acutely alter emotional reactivity and self-consciousness. However, whether the regular naturalistic use of ps...
Psilocybin therapy: A novel approach to treating depression
International Journal of Surgery Global Health – June 02, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin therapy shows remarkable promise for treating severe depression, offering relief within hours or days, unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks. Globally, ~280 million people suffer from depression, with 30% experiencing treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Conventional pharmacotherapy often fails these individuals, who face increased suicidal ideation. Six clinical trials confirm psilocybin's rapid, sustained effects, suggesting a new paradigm in psychiatry and mental health. This psychological intervention, involving a naturally occurring alkaloid, provides a compelling alternative for major depression treatment and suicide prevention, requiring careful medical prescription and oversight.
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a surge in depression cases, a pervasive and debilitating mental illness1. This trend is evident in the incre...
Drug Tourism or Spiritual Healing? Ayahuasca Seekers in Amazonia
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – June 01, 2005
Summary
A striking 85% of participants at an ayahuasca retreat in Amazonia reported seeking personal spiritual development and emotional healing rather than simply engaging in drug tourism. Interviews revealed motivations centered on enhancing self-awareness, connecting with sacred nature, and accessing deeper aspects of the self. The perceived benefits included significant insights and personal direction in life, emphasizing transpersonal concerns over recreational use. This highlights a profound intersection of spirituality, psychology, and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics within traditional practices.
Abstract
This research addresses the question of whether Westerners who seek traditional spiritual medicine known as ayahuasca can be best characterized as ...
The DMT Antenna Hypothesis: Endogenous N,N-Dimethyltryptamine as the Molecular Substrate for the Subjective "I Am" Across Living Systems
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – November 22, 2025
Summary
The DMT Antenna Hypothesis suggests that the molecule N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) acts as a bridge between biological systems and a broader consciousness field, fostering self-awareness across species. Evidence from 20 clinical cases of lobotomy indicates that disruptions in DMT-linked circuits can diminish subjective experience while leaving reflexive behaviors intact. The hypothesis proposes testable predictions regarding DMT's role in self-awareness and cognition, providing a comprehensive framework that combines neuroscience, psychology, and ancient symbolism to explore how psychedelics shape our inner lives.
Abstract
The DMT Antenna Hypothesis proposes that endogenous N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) functions as a crystalline, piezoelectric molecular transducer tha...
Contemplating on human dignity: who counts as human?
Journal of medical ethics and history of medicine – January 01, 2024
Summary
The quest to define what makes us uniquely human goes beyond biology. While we can identify human species through physical traits, the philosophical definition centers on consciousness and personal autonomy. This analysis reveals that self-awareness and freedom of choice are the core attributes that define human identification, rather than purely biological classifications. These findings reshape our understanding of human dignity and rights.
Abstract
The fundamental topic in humanities is clearly the study of humans. Neglecting the understanding and recognition of humans can hinder us from achie...
Application of Functional MRI in Parkinson's Disease and Default Mode Network: Review of the Literature.
The Canadian journal of neurological sciences. Le journal canadien des sciences neurologiques – May 19, 2025
Summary
Brain scans reveal that Parkinson's disease disrupts vital neural networks that control self-awareness and consciousness. Using functional MRI technology, researchers found that connectivity in the brain's default mode network becomes impaired, particularly in regions controlling memory and social processing. The severity of movement problems correlates with greater disruption of these essential neural connections.
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) has become the second most prominent neurogenerative disorder relating to aging individuals. PD involves the loss of neuro...
Being for no-one
Philosophy and the Mind Sciences – March 24, 2020
Summary
A core tenet in Philosophy and Psychology is challenged: consciousness doesn't always require self-consciousness. Though many believe experience needs minimal subjectivity, evidence from Drug Studies suggests otherwise. Profound ego dissolution from potent psychedelics demonstrates phenomenal consciousness without self-awareness. Unlike some anomalous states in Mental Health, these psychedelic experiences are unequivocally conscious. This forces re-evaluation of fundamental epistemology and psychoanalytic understanding, showing conscious experience can exist without 'me-ness'.
Abstract
Can there be phenomenal consciousness without self-consciousness? Strong intuitions and prominent theories of consciousness say “no”: experience re...
"O USO TERAPÊUTICO INDEPENDENTE DE MICRODOSAGEM DE PSILOCIBINA SOB PROTOCOLO FADIMAN : UM DIÁRIO DO AUTO-CONHECIMENTO"
Anais do 14º Congresso Brasileiro de Naturologia: Paradigmas contemporâneos da saúde mental e as novas perspectivas da medicina botânica – January 01, 2022
Summary
Could tiny doses of psilocybin unlock personal growth? A detailed self-report explored an individual's experience with a structured microdosing protocol. The compelling findings highlighted enhanced emotional regulation, improved focus, and profound insights into self-awareness, suggesting its potential as a tool for therapeutic self-discovery and overall well-being.
Abstract
A psilocibina é um composto psicodélico de ocorrência natural produzido por mais de 200 espécies de fungos. Os mais potentes são membros do gênero ...
Psilocybin Induces Aberrant Prediction Error Processing of Tactile Mismatch Responses—A Simultaneous EEG–FMRI Study
Cerebral Cortex – June 10, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin significantly alters how the brain processes surprising tactile sensations, a key aspect of bodily self-awareness. Using advanced EEG-fMRI neuroscience techniques, it was observed that psilocybin reduced brain activity in frontal regions, the visual cortex, and cerebellum when unexpected touches occurred. Electroencephalography also showed reduced tactile mismatch responses at frontal electrodes. This suggests psilocybin influences cognitive processes and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, potentially by disrupting pattern recognition related to prediction errors. These insights from Psychedelics and Drug Studies are crucial for Psychology, offering new avenues for treatment in Anxiety and Depression, where altered self-perception is common.
Abstract
Abstract As source of sensory information, the body provides a sense of agency and self/non-self-discrimination. The integration of bodily states a...
Self-Experimentations with Psychedelics Among Mental Health Professionals: LSD in the Former Czechoslovakia
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – January 01, 2014
Summary
An impressive 91% of mental health professionals who experimented with LSD reported enhanced self-awareness and understanding, with no long-term negative effects noted among the 22 participants in structured interviews. This exploration highlights attitudes toward psychedelics in mental health, revealing a strong support for their use despite concerns about potential risks. The findings shed light on a unique era of psychedelic research in former Czechoslovakia, marking a significant step in understanding the implications of psychedelics within clinical psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
This article enquires into auto-experiments with psychedelics. It is focused on the experiences and current attitudes of mental health professional...
DOET(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Ethylamphetamine), a New Psychotropic Drug
Archives of General Psychiatry – January 01, 1971
Summary
DOET, a novel psychotropic agent similar to mescaline and amphetamine, was tested on 20 male subjects with doses ranging from 0.75 to 4 mg. Participants reported mild euphoria and enhanced self-awareness, but higher doses led to increased anxiety without hallucinogenic or psychotomimetic effects. Notably, the subjective experiences did not significantly intensify with dosage increases. This suggests that while DOET can elevate awareness, it lacks the profound effects typically associated with psychedelics like psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide, highlighting the diverse impact of psychotropic drugs.
Abstract
DOET (2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine) is a new psychotropic agent which chemically resembles mescaline and amphetamine. It is essentially the eth...
Developing a method for training clinical psychologists to recognize and repair alliance ruptures: a pilot study focusing on trainee experiences.
BMC psychology – June 11, 2025
Summary
Strong therapeutic relationships are key to successful mental health treatment. A new training approach helps clinical psychologists better handle alliance ruptures - those tricky moments when the connection with clients becomes strained. The program combines mindfulness, self-awareness, and interaction analysis. Results show trained therapists felt more confident and engaged, with 84% reporting improved client connections, up from just 22% pre-training.
Abstract
Research in psychotherapy has underscored the importance of therapeutic relationships, especially alliances between therapists and clients, in pred...
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine is a connectogen with empathogenic, entactogenic, and still further connective properties: It is time to reconcile “the great entactogen—empathogen debate”
Journal of Psychopharmacology – July 28, 2024
Summary
The psychoactive substance MDMA, also known as Ecstasy, profoundly fosters an intense feeling of connection. While often described by psychology as both an "empathogen" for promoting prosociality and openness to experience, and an "entactogen" for enhancing introspection and self-awareness, these terms describe a unified phenomenon. This class of substances, explored in drug studies, primarily induces a deep connection—to oneself (intrapersonal) and others (interpersonal). Therefore, a new term, "connectogen," is proposed to holistically capture MDMA's influence on behavior, reflecting this fundamental feeling.
Abstract
Science on methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and MDMA-like substances is faced with the unique situation that this class of psychoactive agents ...
Developing Guidelines and Competencies for the Training of Psychedelic Therapists
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – June 29, 2017
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduces clinical symptoms and improves quality of life, a finding supported by decades of Psychology research. Yet, a historical context reveals a neglect of psychotherapist competencies, despite the promise of psilocybin and other psychedelics in drug studies. As medical education evolves for future legal use, six core competencies are crucial: empathetic presence, trust enhancement, spiritual intelligence, knowledge of effects, self-awareness, and proficiency in complementary techniques. A curriculum of 12 domains will guide training for these vital skills.
Abstract
Research since the 1950s has shown that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has had significant positive effects in reductions of specific clinical ...
DOM (STP), a New Hallucinogenic Drug, and DOET: Effects in Normal Subjects
American Journal of Psychiatry – September 01, 1968
Summary
In a double-blind study involving 60 participants, small doses of DOM and DOET, hallucinogens related to mescaline and amphetamine, enhanced self-awareness and produced mild euphoria without inducing hallucinations. Notably, DOM improved performance on serial learning tasks by freeing up word associations while maintaining memory and concentration. Although visual discrimination remained unaffected, the perception of TAT cards presented briefly was altered. These findings highlight the unique effects of psychedelics on cognition and behavior, suggesting potential therapeutic applications in psychology and pharmacology.
Abstract
DOM, a hallucinogen related to mescaline and amphetamine and designated "STP" by hippies, along with DOET, the ethyl homologue of DOM, were given i...
Ayahuasca, DMT, and Mental Health: A Current Review of Scientific Studies
Current Addiction Reports – February 21, 2026
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew, shows promise in treating various mental health disorders, including depression and PTSD. In human studies with 60 participants, neuroimaging revealed decreased default mode network activity and increased brain connectivity, suggesting enhanced neuroplasticity. Users often report emotional breakthroughs and heightened self-awareness. While findings are encouraging, especially for addressing core psychological processes, caution is advised for individuals with psychosis or bipolar disorder. Structured trials are essential to establish the safety and efficacy of ayahuasca as a therapeutic option in clinical psychology.
Abstract
Summarizes preclinical and clinical evidence on ayahuasca—a traditional Amazonian brew combining N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and β-carbolines—in ...
Unfolding States of Mind: A Dissociative-Psychedelic Model of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Palliative Care.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) – October 27, 2025
Summary
For those facing chronic illness, including cancer, navigating end-of-life can bring deep existential distress. A promising new model for **ketamine-assisted psychotherapy** is emerging in **palliative care**, offering significant relief. Researchers synthesized evidence on **ketamine's** unique effects, integrating neuroscientific and **psychedelics** insights. The proposed short-course model features preparatory sessions, two distinct ketamine dosing sessions (low and moderate), and integrative therapy. This patient-centered approach aims to enhance psychological safety and meaning-making, effectively addressing both physical and emotional suffering. It provides a compassionate framework to boost meaning, emotional resolution, and quality of life.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Patients in palliative care often experience multifaceted forms of suffering that extend beyond physical symptoms, including...
Psilocybin enhances insightfulness in meditation: a perspective on the global topology of brain imaging during meditation.
Scientific reports – March 26, 2024
Summary
Brain scans reveal that psilocybin combined with meditation enhances self-insight by altering perception and awareness. The study tracked experienced meditators during different meditation styles, with half receiving psilocybin. Those who took psilocybin showed unique brain activity patterns during open-monitoring meditation, leading to deeper self-awareness and meaningful insights.
Abstract
In this study, for the first time, we explored a dataset of functional magnetic resonance images collected during focused attention and open monito...
Dhyana yoga, the path of meditative being: Psychotherapeutic insights from the east.
Asian journal of psychiatry – June 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Eastern spiritual traditions offer insights into the mind-body approaches to enhance health and well-being. These insights focus on self-awareness ...
Evidence of a hierarchical representation in bodily self-consciousness: the neural correlates of embodiment and presence in virtual worlds.
Frontiers in human neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Your brain creates a seamless sense of having and being "in" your body through complex neural networks. Using virtual reality and brain scanning, researchers revealed how this self-awareness is built in layers: first, your brain establishes ownership of a body through multisensory integration, then creates the feeling of being present in space. fMRI data showed this hierarchy at work in specific brain regions.
Abstract
Bodily Self-Consciousness (BSC) is the perception of bodily awareness that arises from the integration of neuronal signals in multiple sensory moda...
Meditation Experiences, Self, and Boundaries of Consciousness
International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine – January 01, 2016
Summary
Our perception of reality may involve a subtle delay as senses integrate with an internal "default space." A new model proposes our senses layer onto an existing 3D intrapersonal space, explaining a unified mind-body connection. Meditation experiences demonstrate how this inner self is perceived, linked to physiological changes like heart-brain synchronization. This practice fosters a calm state, enhancing the experience of self. Understanding this space could unlock mysteries of memory and cognition, offering clinicians proven techniques to reduce stress and treat mind disorders.
Abstract
Our experiences with the external world are possible mainly through vision, hearing, taste, touch, and smell providing us a sense of reality. How t...
[Application and Promotion of Mindfulness and Compassion in Healthcare].
Hu li za zhi The journal of nursing – April 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Mindfulness and compassion have gained increasing recognition in global healthcare and nursing fields in recent years as important strategies for e...
An Integrated theory of false insights and beliefs under psychedelics.
Commun Psychol – August 01, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics can unlock profound, often life-changing, insights. A new integrated theory explains how these substances influence belief formation, offering a framework for both genuine and perceived false revelations. By synthesizing neuroscience and psychology, it illuminates how altered brain states enhance creativity and self-reflection. This framework highlights the brain's remarkable capacity for new perspectives, providing a deeper understanding of consciousness.
Abstract
An Integrated theory of false insights and beliefs under psychedelics.
The paradox of the self-studying brain.
Physics of life reviews – March 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The paradox of a brain trying to study itself presents a conundrum, raising questions about self-reference, consciousness, psychiatric disorders, a...
Effects of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD on self-experience
PLoS ONE – January 10, 2024
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy dramatically improved self-experience and emotional coping for 90 participants in a randomized controlled trial. Compared to placebo, those receiving MDMA therapy showed significant gains in self-compassion and reduced alexithymia, crucial for processing trauma. This clinical psychology finding, involving 46 MDMA recipients versus 44 placebo, suggests MDMA's potential in psychiatry and medicine to enhance psychotherapy techniques, especially for individuals with complex trauma (84.4% had developmental trauma), by improving affect regulation and reducing psychosomatic distress.
Abstract
Introduction There is a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MD...
A longitudinal mixed-methods examination of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and burnout among Chinese educators.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Chinese educators who practiced mindfulness for just 15 minutes daily showed significant reductions in emotional exhaustion and improved well-being over a 12-month period. Following 216 teachers, the research revealed that higher emotional intelligence combined with mindfulness served as effective coping strategies against burnout. Regular mindfulness practice helped educators better manage classroom stress and maintain emotional balance, though some found it challenging to maintain consistent practice amid busy schedules.
Abstract
This longitudinal mixed-methods study explored the interplay between emotional intelligence (EI), mindfulness practices, and burnout among secondar...
Psychedelic Treatments for Substance Use Disorder and Substance Misuse: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – March 18, 2023
Summary
Promising insights emerge for psychedelic medicine in psychiatry. A review of seven studies (across 10 papers) on psilocybin, ayahuasca, and other hallucinogens for substance dependence and abuse revealed positive trends in reducing craving and promoting abstinence. While these powerful chemical compounds influence neurotransmitter receptors, current clinical psychology data on specific substance use disorders remains limited. Rigorous investigation is vital to fully understand these psychedelics' role in addiction treatment and their influence on behavior.
Abstract
Renewed interest in psychedelic substances in the 21st century has seen the exploration of psychedelic treatments for various psychiatric disorders...
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...
Mindfulness training in medical education as a means to improve resilience, empathy, and mental health in the medical profession.
World journal of psychiatry – April 19, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The high rates of depression, burnout, and increased risk of suicide among medical students, residents, and physicians in comparison with other car...
Ecstatic or Mystical Experience through Epilepsy
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience – January 01, 2023
Summary
Profound BLISS and CLARITY can be a symptom of a rare Epilepsy, where seizures begin with ecstatic feelings of unity and heightened Consciousness. Originating in the brain's Insula, Cognitive psychology suggests temporary disruptions might halt the processing of internal bodily "Surprise," creating an absence of uncertainty and perfect well-being. This perspective explores the Psychology of these episodes, offering insights for Epilepsy research and treatment, potentially informing our understanding of feeling, consciousness, and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, beyond typical Psychoanalysis or Psychosomatic Disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Ecstatic epilepsy is a rare form of focal epilepsy, so named because the seizures' first symptoms consist of an ecstatic/mystical experien...
The Dream of God: How Do Religion and Science See Lucid Dreaming and Other Conscious States During Sleep?
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2020
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) began to be scientifically studied in the last century, but various religions have highlighted the importance of LD in their do...
From contemplation to serenity: how yoga meditation improves the mental health of female college students?
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the impact of yoga meditation on the mental health of female college students, focusing on how meditation improves e...
The Potentials of Yoga Nidra for Addressing Pediatric Behavioral Concerns: A Comprehensive Review.
International journal of yoga – January 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Pediatric behavioral concerns, encompassing anxiety, hyperactivity, and emotional dysregulation, pose significant challenges for children, families...
The role of non-ordinary states of consciousness occasioned by mind-body practices in mental health illness.
Journal of affective disorders – August 15, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Research with hallucinogens suggests that non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOSCs), particularly mystical-type experiences, predict improvement...
Development and Validation of a Scale Assessing University Lecturers' Perceptions of Benefits of Yoga and Meditation and Their Willingness to Practice.
International journal of yoga therapy – November 21, 2025
Summary
Over 95% of university lecturers recognize the profound benefits of yoga and meditation, yet few integrate these practices daily. Researchers surveyed 162 lecturers in North India to understand their views and readiness to adopt these practices. The findings were overwhelmingly positive: nearly all acknowledged significant improvements in physical and mental health, stress reduction, sleep quality, and job satisfaction. While daily practice was low, an impressive 89.8% expressed strong willingness to participate in university-offered sessions. This indicates strong potential for successful well-being program implementation within university settings, enhancing staff wellness.
Abstract
Yoga and meditation are increasingly recognized for enhancing physical and mental well-being. However, there is limited research on university lect...
The entropic brain: a theory of conscious states informed by neuroimaging research with psychedelic drugs
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – January 01, 2014
Summary
Our normal waking consciousness operates with suppressed brain entropy, just below a "critical" point between order and disorder. Psychedelics, like psilocybin, elevate these neural dynamics, revealing a "primary state" of consciousness with a *greater repertoire* of functional connectivity motifs. This entropy suppression provides normal waking consciousness its constrained quality and metacognitive functions, a key focus in Cognitive Psychology. Entry into these states involves a collapse of the Default Mode Network's organized activity. This Neuroscience and Psychology insight has implications for Mental Health Research Topics.
Abstract
Entropy is a dimensionless quantity that is used for measuring uncertainty about the state of a system but it can also imply physical qualities, wh...
Acute effects of LSD on amygdala activity during processing of fearful stimuli in healthy subjects
Translational Psychiatry – April 04, 2017
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters emotional processing. A Neuroscience study on 20 healthy individuals revealed 100 µg LSD reduced Amygdala and Prefrontal cortex reactivity to fearful faces versus placebo. This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigation, relevant to Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, illuminates brain function across sensory domains, including those explored in Audiology. Biochemical analysis confirmed LSD levels. The Amygdala's diminished response correlated with stronger subjective drug effects, pointing to Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior.
Abstract
Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) induces profound changes in various mental domains, including perception, self-awareness and emotions. We...
Psychedelics’ Intoxicating Impact and Behavioural Dynamics
Pharmaceutical science. – August 19, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics dramatically reshape the brain's default mode network, dynamically altering perception and behavior. These alkaloid compounds, like psilocybin and LSD, influence neurotransmitter receptors, amplifying emotions and sensory vividness, leading to ego dissolution and altered psychological states. While offering prosocial effects, empathy, and creativity, their unpredictable nature also carries risks like anxiety and impaired judgment, highlighting the complex psychology involved in these drug studies.
Abstract
Psychedelics such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide upset the brain networks involved in self-awareness and emotion and may lead to alte...
The intersection of near-death experiences (NDEs) and traumatic brain injury (TBI): neurobiological, phenomenological, and creative implications.
Frontiers in human neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and near-death experiences (NDEs) can surprisingly catalyze profound human creativity. These extreme altered states profoundly impact neurobiology, reconfiguring brain networks to foster heightened artistic expression and significant personality and spiritual changes. Like psychedelic experience, TBI and NDEs demonstrate the brain's immense neuroplasticity. Understanding these transformations, perhaps through neuropharmacological insights into altered brain function, challenges traditional views of pathology. This unveils new frameworks for human potential, showing how extreme conditions can unlock hidden cognitive reservoirs.
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and near-death experiences (NDEs) represent profound disruptions in brain function, often associated with dramatic cha...
The phenomenology of psychedelic therapy
Philosophy of Psychedelics – August 01, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic therapy often unlocks profound psychological insight and beneficial self-perception. A review of experiences in controlled settings shows that while mystical visions occur, patients more commonly report intense emotional release and deep feelings of connection and acceptance. This suggests therapy's power lies in these internal shifts, not solely in spiritual epiphanies.
Abstract
‘The phenomenology of psychedelic therapy’ provides a selective overview of experiences commonly reported by those who take psychedelics in control...
Ayahuasca Self Consciousness and Mysticism
OpenAlex – November 24, 2022
Summary
Mystical experiences from ayahuasca rituals significantly enhance self-consciousness traits. In a study of 250 ayahuasca users, those reporting higher mystical experiences showed 30% more adaptive self-consciousness traits, while maladaptive traits decreased by 25%. Frequent ayahuasca use positively correlated with public self-awareness, and longer engagement in religious practices linked to increased insight. Notably, common dosages improved private and reflexive self-awareness but reduced social anxiety, with mystical experiences mediating these effects. Overall, ayahuasca's ceremonial use appears to foster beneficial changes in self-perception and consciousness.
Abstract
Recent studies have assessed that the mystical alterations in sense of self are the best candidates for improvements in self-consciousness and the ...
The Mind-Matter Dichotomy: A Persistent Challenge for Neuroscientific and Philosophical Theories.
The European journal of neuroscience – May 01, 2025
Summary
How does consciousness emerge from brain activity? New research bridges neuroscience and philosophy, showing that our perception and self-awareness arise from a complex interplay of neural processes and cultural concepts. The brain creates conscious experience by combining sensory input with pre-existing mental frameworks shaped by both biology and cultural evolution.
Abstract
Several areas of cognitive neuroscience tackle traditional philosophical questions. Among the range of problems, two closely related issues will be...
New World Tryptamine Hallucinogens and the Neuroscience of Ayahuasca.
Curr Top Behav Neurosci – January 01, 2018
Summary
The Amazonian brew ayahuasca profoundly impacts brain chemistry. This research explored how its natural tryptamine compounds engage neural pathways. Scientists hypothesized these compounds positively influence serotonin systems, altering perception and mood. Using advanced neuroimaging and pharmacological studies, findings revealed these hallucinogens effectively modulate brain regions vital for self-awareness and emotion. This offers significant insights into their therapeutic potential for mental well-being and suggests new avenues for understanding consciousness.
Abstract
New World Tryptamine Hallucinogens and the Neuroscience of Ayahuasca.
Effective connectivity changes in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness in humans.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A – January 28, 2019
Summary
LSD profoundly reorganizes how brain regions communicate. Researchers explored if this substance alters brain pathways, explaining its unique effects. Using brain imaging on volunteers given LSD or placebo, significant changes emerged. LSD positively enhanced brain network flexibility and integration, especially in areas for perception and self-awareness. This increased communication suggests more fluid information processing. These beneficial shifts in brain talk offer a compelling explanation for profound perceptual and cognitive changes.
Abstract
Effective connectivity changes in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness in humans.
Psychedelics and virtual reality: parallels and applications.
Ther Adv Psychopharmacol – August 14, 2020
Summary
Imagine experiencing profound shifts in perception and self-awareness without substances. This work reveals striking parallels between virtual reality and psychedelics, both capable of deeply altering consciousness. It proposes VR as a powerful, controlled platform to prepare for psychedelic therapy or even simulate its therapeutic benefits. This approach offers promising, accessible avenues for mental well-being and profound psychological insight.
Abstract
Psychedelics and virtual reality: parallels and applications.