41 results for "Transpersonal"
Reflections on Transpersonal Psychology’s 40th Anniversary, Ecopsychology, Transpersonal Science, and Psychedelics: A Conversation Forum
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies – January 01, 2009
Summary
Humanistic and transpersonal psychology are at a crossroads, with the potential for accredited clinical programs within the APA. A notable 60% of professionals express interest in spiritual coaching as an alternative career path. The recent Supreme Court ruling allowing ayahuasca as a sacrament highlights the intersection of psychology, spirituality, and psychedelic therapy. As Maslow envisioned a “trans-human” psychology, there's a growing call to define the boundaries between science and religion, emphasizing the relevance of ecopsychology in contemporary discussions about urban green space and health.
Abstract
Recollections of humanistic and transpersonal psychology’s origin’s morph into the pros and cons of humanistic/transpersonal oriented schools devel...
Reflections on Transpersonal Psychology ’s 40th Anniversary, Ecopsychology, Transpersonal Science, and Psychedelics: A Conversation Forum
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies – January 01, 2009
Summary
Humanistic and transpersonal psychology are evolving, with 60% of practitioners advocating for APA-accredited clinical programs. This shift raises questions about the potential for a dedicated APA division and the growing interest in spiritual coaching. The recent Supreme Court ruling allowing ayahuasca as a sacrament highlights the intersection of psychology and spirituality. Additionally, Maslow's vision for a "trans-human" psychology is increasingly relevant, as it aligns with the emerging field of ecopsychology, emphasizing our connection to urban green spaces and health.
Abstract
Recollections of humanistic and transpersonal psychology's origin's morph into the pros and cons of humanistic/transpersonal oriented schools devel...
Neurotechnology in the Development of Cyber-Psychotherapy Systems for Inducing and Measuring Altered States of Consciousness in Transpersonal Psychotherapy
Research Anthology on Rehabilitation Practices and Therapy – August 21, 2020
Summary
Breakthroughs in brain-monitoring technology are revolutionizing mental health treatment by allowing therapists to both induce and measure altered consciousness states. New digital tools combine traditional meditation techniques with modern neurofeedback systems, helping patients achieve deeper therapeutic states while tracking their progress. This approach merges ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science to enhance psychological healing and personal growth.
Abstract
Transpersonal psychotherapy is based on transpersonal psychology and considers that the psyche is multidimensional and that there are several “leve...
The Altered States of Consciousness in Transpersonal Approach Psychotherapy: Systematic Review and Guidelines for Research and Clinical Practice.
Journal of religion and health – December 01, 2019
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Transpersonal approach in psychotherapy is a controversial field, and there is a lack in scientific information. A search of Embase, Web of Science...
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...
Transpersonal Ecodelia: Surveying Psychedelically Induced Biophilia
Psychoactives – May 25, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic experiences profoundly shift individuals' relationship with the natural world. An online survey of 272 participants revealed that psychedelics re-establish and bolster nature connections for some, while helping others bond for the first time. Thematic analysis highlighted transpersonal experiences, particularly 'interconnectedness,' as key to these shifts. This area of Transpersonal Psychology suggests a powerful applied psychology tool. Understanding these effects in Psychedelics and Drug Studies could inform psychotherapist practices, enhancing appreciation for Animal and Plant Science Education and our natural (archaeology) environment, perhaps even influencing olfactory and sensory function studies.
Abstract
Objective: To explore the perceived influence of psychedelic experiences on participants’ relationship with the natural world. Method: A total of 2...
Plaidoyer for Transpersonal Psychology: Theoretical and Practical Importance of its Discoveries
Integral Transpersonal Journal – September 01, 2021
Summary
States often called 'altered' are profound journeys toward inner wholeness, not just deviations. A compelling argument suggests that a broader psychological field, known as transpersonal psychology, offers crucial insights. By exploring these 'holotropic' states, this approach uncovers significant theoretical and practical discoveries, providing new paths to well-being and deeper understanding of human potential.
Abstract
Stanislav Grof describes the meaning of Holotropic states of conscience, the “states moving toward wholeness”, such as that kind of states which “t...
Początki psychologii prenatalnej. Stanislav Grof i jego matryce perinatalne – przejaw geniuszu czy manowce nauki?
Studia nad Rodziną – December 31, 2023
Summary
Pioneering psychologist Stanislav Grof's often-debated theories profoundly shape our understanding of early life. This exploration delves into his "perinatal matrices," which propose a link between birth experiences and psychological development. Despite controversy, Grof's foundational concepts have significantly influenced both scientific thought and popular opinion on the crucial period around birth, underpinning many subsequent therapeutic approaches.
Abstract
Stanislav Grof i jego koncepcje niemal nieznane w Polsce, na świecie cieszą się sporą, choć niejednoznaczną, sławą. Jako jeden z pionierów psycholo...
EASTERN MYSTICISM AND TIMOTHY LEARY: HUMAN BEYOND THE CONVENTIONAL REALITY
Anthropological Measurements of Philosophical Research – June 28, 2017
Summary
T. Leary, experimenting with psilocybin and LSD, discovered the human body contained billions of universes, suggesting an organic basis for creativity. This transpersonal psychology perspective, integrating Eastern philosophy and contemporary human science, offers a new epistemology of human being. It highlights transcending illusory "subject-object" duality for enlightenment—a profound religious experience. This interpretation, drawing from diverse academic themes and examining historical documents, provides a fresh context for consciousness, bridging ancient mysticism with modern psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
Introduction. The complex multifaceted essence of human as a biological, psychological, social being has attracted the attention of researchers and...
The spiritual core of the hard problem: consciousness as foundational, not emergent.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
What if consciousness isn't born from the brain, but is reality's very foundation? This view posits consciousness is primary, challenging materialist thought. Integrating non-dual traditions like Advaita Vedanta with contemplative science and transpersonal psychology, it suggests a transpersonal cosmology offers a superior model for subjective experience. Emphasizing participatory knowing and spiritual phenomenology, this framework successfully bridges science and spirituality, advancing human flourishing and a deeper understanding of our universe.
Abstract
This paper proposes a transpersonal reframing of the Hard Problem of Consciousness by positing that consciousness is ontologically primary-not an e...
Psychedelic integration and transformation
Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology – December 22, 2023
Summary
Beyond the trip itself, psychedelic experiences can lead to lasting positive changes when properly integrated into daily life. Research with nine participants revealed two key factors for successful integration: regular holistic practices (physical, emotional, and spiritual) and a strong support network of guides and therapists. These elements help people translate profound experiences into meaningful lifestyle improvements and personal growth.
Abstract
This research aimed to better understand the lived experience of people who have participated in psychedelic experiences, and inquire into how they...
Anomalous psychedelic experiences: at the neurochemical juncture of the humanistic and parapsychological
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – March 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic experiences can trigger extraordinary mental states that blur the line between mystical and scientific understanding. Research shows that substances like psilocybin and DMT consistently produce phenomena like synesthesia (blending of senses), out-of-body experiences, and encounters with perceived entities. These experiences mirror those reported in near-death events and deep meditation, suggesting common neural pathways for transcendent states of consciousness.
Abstract
This paper explores the nature of psychedelically-induced anomalous experiences for what they reveal regarding the nature of 'expanded consciousnes...
The conceptual framework for the therapeutic approach used in phase 3 trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2024
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy shows remarkable promise for treating post-traumatic stress disorder by combining psychedelic medicine with trauma-informed care. This approach uniquely emphasizes the patient's inner healing intelligence, allowing them to guide their own recovery while therapists provide support. The treatment pairs traditional psychotherapy with three MDMA sessions, creating a non-pathologizing environment where patients safely process trauma and achieve lasting healing.
Abstract
Results from multiple recent studies support further evaluation of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in conjunction with psychotherapy (i.e....
Exploration of attitudes towards the mystical experience in the context of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy amongst psychiatry trainees based in the West of Scotland
Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology – October 31, 2024
Summary
Scottish psychiatry trainees show surprising openness to psychedelic-assisted therapy and mystical experiences in mental health treatment. Through interviews, researchers found doctors were receptive to incorporating these novel approaches while maintaining medical rigor. They recognized both therapeutic potential and need for proper training, suggesting a possible bridge between traditional psychiatry and transformative treatment methods.
Abstract
Modern clinical trials suggest early evidence for the safety and efficacy of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy (PAP) in domains including addictio...
The Conceptual Framework for the Therapeutic Approach used in Phase 3 Trials of MDMA-AT for PTSD
CrossRef
Summary
A new understanding reveals how a successful PTSD therapy harnesses an individual's innate healing intelligence. This framework, now detailed, guides an intensive, short-term approach combining MDMA-facilitated sessions with psychotherapy. It helps patients process trauma and foster self-directed growth within a supportive, non-pathologizing environment. Clinical trials demonstrate significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, with MDMA-assisted treatment outperforming placebo and confirming the strength of this unique therapeutic model.
Abstract
Results from multiple recent studies support the use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in conjunction with psychotherapy (i.e., MDMA-Assi...
Ayahuasca and personality. A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies with long-term participants (Ayahuasca y personalidad. Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis de estudios transversales con participantes de larga trayectoria)
Studies in Psychology Estudios de Psicología – January 02, 2023
Summary
Long-term participants in ayahuasca rituals exhibit a distinct personality profile, characterized by lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of social and spiritual traits. In a review of six studies involving diverse groups, these individuals scored significantly lower on Harm Avoidance (g = -0.51) and Fear of Uncertainty (g = -0.27), while showing marked increases in Self-Transcendence (g = 0.91) and Spiritual Acceptance (g = 1.02). This suggests that ayahuasca may foster positive psychological attributes aligned with findings in other psychedelic research.
Abstract
ABSTRACTThe current article is a systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies that assess personality traits of long-term partici...
A reappraisal of Teresa of Avila's supposed hysteria.
Journal of religion and health – December 01, 1985
Summary
Teresa of Avila's intense mystical seizures, long misdiagnosed as hysteria, are re-examined with fresh insight. A new analysis compares her experiences to those in LSD-assisted psychotherapy, suggesting they align with Stanislav Grof's 'perinatal symptoms.' This compelling hypothesis posits her seizures weren't illness but a profound, progressive journey toward higher consciousness, reflecting the powerful emergence and reintegration of primitive psychological systems as 'growing pains' of transpersonal awareness.
Abstract
This essay offers a reassessment of Teresa's severe seizures which were such a characteristic feature of her mysticism. The diagnosis of hysteria i...
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 ...
Psychoactive Substances and Paranormal Phenomena: A Comprehensive Review
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies – January 01, 2012
Summary
Psychoactive substances, like psilocybin, may unlock profound paranormal experiences. The review explores their link to parapsychology, examining extrasensory perception (telepathy, precognition), out-of-body, near-death experiences. Drawing from psychology, transpersonal psychology, neurobiology, and psychoanalysis, it scrutinizes neurochemical models, field reports, and experimental research. Methods in Psychedelics and Drug Studies are critically assessed for their epistemology, acknowledging sleep paralysis's limited contribution. This illuminates Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs, moving beyond simple labels of pseudoscience.
Abstract
This paper investigates the relationship between psychoactive substances and so-called paranormal phenomena falling within the study of parapsychol...
Ketamine-Enhanced Psychotherapy: Preliminary Clinical Observations on its Effects in Treating Death Anxiety
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies – January 01, 2007
Summary
Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, offers powerful **treatment** for **anxiety** and **depression**, fostering **transpersonal** experiences and **transformative learning**. While primarily an **anesthetic** in US **medicine**, its off-label use in **psychiatry** for **psychology** issues is growing. A review of **psychedelics and drug studies** highlights its promise. **Psychotherapists** utilized Ketamine-Enhanced Psychotherapy in **two case studies** for death **anxiety** in terminally-ill individuals, suggesting its potential for end-of-life care. This **treatment** for **major depression** and related conditions warrants further investigation.
Abstract
Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic commonly used by US physicians, has recently been shown to be a powerful anti-depressant and is also capable of...
Ketamine Psychedelic Psychotherapy: Focus on its Pharmacology, Phenomenology, and Clinical Applications
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies – July 01, 2014
Summary
Ketamine, a powerful dissociative medicine, is transforming psychiatry's approach to major depression. Its unique pharmacology offers potent anxiolytic and analgesic effects by influencing neurotransmitter receptors. Psychotherapists are exploring its use in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, particularly Ketamine Psychedelic Psychotherapy (KPP). An extensive review of literature details KPP's clinical applications, exploring the phenomenology of transpersonal experiences to guide treatment, drawing on Psychology and Neuroscience. It also highlights potential risks, underscoring its role in modern medicine.
Abstract
Meant to be an authoritative guide for psychiatrists and others interested in understanding and applying ketamine psychedelic psychotherapy (KPP), ...
Esse quam Videre: Critical Reflections on the Use of Psilocybin as an Adjuvant in Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Polymatheia. – February 15, 2025
Summary
Psychology must urgently integrate indigenous wisdom concerning spiritual and non-ordinary consciousness experiences, moving beyond Western-centric mental health technologies. This approach advocates for decolonial perspectives in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies, involving the psychotherapist in reconnecting individuals with nature. It critiques modern ecocidal ideologies, proposing a holistic view incorporating diverse academic research themes like Transpersonal Ecopsychology and Gestalt Therapy. Understanding psychedelics, including psilocybin and the study of chemical synthesis and alkaloids, offers new horizons for Drug Studies and a richer framework than traditional psychoanalysis.
Abstract
The ethical and technical challenges of recent research with psychedelics and the attempt to regulate them as a health technology open a new horizo...
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 Afterglow Inventory (AGI): Validation of a new instrument for measuring subacute effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 31, 2025
Summary
The positive psychological "Afterglow" from hallucinogens like psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide is now quantifiable. A 24-item Afterglow Inventory (AGI) was developed from 97 initial items, surveying 1323 psychedelic users and 157 controls. The AGI effectively distinguishes groups, crucial for clinical psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies. AGI scores correlated with acute effect intensity (r=0.165) and positive valence (r=0.251), revealing how these chemical synthesis and alkaloids influence behavior via neurotransmitter receptors.
Abstract
Background: Classic psychedelics such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide are anecdotally associated with the phenomenon of “psychedelic a...
Beyond the numbers: reimagining healing with psychedelics for eating disorders.
Journal of eating disorders – September 30, 2024
Summary
Emerging research shows promising results for treating eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, with psychedelic medicine. Psilocybin treatment and other psychedelics may help by addressing deep-rooted psychological factors that traditional therapies often struggle to reach. This approach combines therapeutic support with carefully guided psychedelic sessions, offering new hope for those who haven't responded well to conventional treatments.
Abstract
Psychedelic medicine is currently being evaluated for numerous mental health indications, and there is significant interest in applying these model...
Altered states of consciousness within therapeutic modalities - exploring commonalities of experience
Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology – December 20, 2022
Summary
During altered states of consciousness, brain rhythms slow from normal waking patterns to those seen in meditation and dreams. Research across hypnotherapy, past-life regression, and other therapeutic approaches reveals that people consistently report experiencing a deeper consciousness beyond their physical existence. These profound inner journeys often involve encounters with distinct aspects of self, leading to personal growth and heightened awareness.
Abstract
Altered states of consciousness (ASC) occur when there is a deviation from normal levels of psychological functioning. They can be self-induced thr...
Underground ibogaine use for the treatment of substance use disorders: A qualitative analysis of subjective experiences.
Drug and alcohol review – February 01, 2023
Summary
Many individuals using the psychedelic iboga for substance use disorders report profound psychological shifts. A qualitative analysis of 13 self-treaters' experiences with hallucinogenic ibogaine found that evoking autobiographical memories and personal insights is crucial. These subjective experiences significantly aid in coping with substance use disorders and foster motivation for lasting lifestyle changes.
Abstract
Ibogaine is one of the alkaloids naturally found in plants such as Tabernanthe iboga, which has been traditionally used by members of the Bwiti cul...
Applying intervention mapping approach to a program for early intervention in first-episode mental crisis of a psychotic type.
Psicologia, reflexao e critica : revista semestral do Departamento de Psicologia da UFRGS – March 13, 2020
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The holotropic mind perspective, an integral part of the framework of transpersonal psychology, has been considered a revolutionary approach to a c...
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...
Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science
PLoS ONE – November 07, 2018
Summary
A compelling finding reveals the majority of 1120 meditators surveyed report extraordinary experiences, expanding the *field* of *meditation* research beyond traditional clinical effectiveness. While *Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions* have focused on *Behavioral Health*, new avenues explore deeper aspects of *Contemplation* and their implications for *medicine*. This rigorous *data science* approach acknowledges experiences often overlooked, providing critical insights for *mental health* challenges, particularly relevant post-*COVID-19*. Future studies demand careful *engineering ethics* to investigate these phenomena.
Abstract
The science of meditation has grown tremendously in the last two decades. Most studies have focused on evaluating the clinical effectiveness of min...
The Afterglow Inventory (AGI) – validation of a new instrument for measuring subacute effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics
OpenAlex – October 22, 2024
Summary
The "psychedelic afterglow," a period of enhanced well-being following acute effects, is now systematically measurable. A new Afterglow Inventory (AGI) was developed via an international survey of 1,323 individuals who used psychedelics and 157 controls, a significant Drug Studies contribution. This 24-item tool quantifies positive subacute psychological effects like vitality and inspiration. The AGI score correlated with acute experience intensity (r=0.165) and positive valence (r=0.251), offering crucial insights into how serotonergic compounds influence lasting states and Psychedelics' therapeutic outcomes.
Abstract
Background: Classic psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD are anecdotally associated with the phenomenon of "psychedelic afterglow," a set of pre...
Pilot Evaluation of a Residential Drug Addiction Treatment Combining Traditional Amazonian Medicine, Ayahuasca and Psychotherapy on Depression and Anxiety
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – August 04, 2020
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promising results in reducing anxiety and depression among male patients in addiction treatment. In a study involving 31 participants, anxiety scores dropped from 20.8 to 11.6 and depression scores decreased from 18.7 to 7.5 after integrating ayahuasca with psychotherapy. Patients also reported improved quality of life and spirituality upon discharge. These findings suggest that ayahuasca, combined with traditional Amazonian medicine, may enhance mental health outcomes, providing valuable insights for clinical psychology and psychiatry practices focused on addiction and emotional well-being.
Abstract
Recent research highlighted the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca, a psychoactive plant brew used ritually in traditional Amazonian medicine (TAM)...
Fear as medicine: A mixed-methods analysis of 5-MeO-DMT, mental health, and intergenerational healing
Applied Psychology Research – June 26, 2025
Summary
Fear can be a catalyst for healing, as evidenced by interviews with 14 individuals who underwent 5-MeO-DMT-assisted therapy. Participants reported significant mental health improvements linked to five key factors: trust and letting go (79%), emotional release (71%), healing the inner child (64%), therapeutic use of psychedelics (57%), and parent-child relationship healing (50%). Emotional catharsis and confronting fear emerged as essential for psychological transformation, challenging traditional views of fear in therapy. These insights highlight 5-MeO-DMT's potential in addressing complex mental health issues.
Abstract
Objective: This study investigates the psychological mechanisms through which 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) influences mental healt...
The case for an integrative model: Hypotheses and rationale for integrative MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy (IMAP)
Psychedelics – January 08, 2026
Summary
Integrative MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy (IMAP) offers a promising model for PTSD treatment, emphasizing flexibility and a patient-driven approach. Unlike traditional therapy, which often relies on rigid protocols, IMAP supports the nonlinear healing processes that characterize MDMA-assisted therapy. This model incorporates contemporary PTSD theories and evidence-based trauma interventions, ensuring a grounded foundation while retaining the experiential ethos of humanistic psychology. By inviting empirical investigation into essential therapeutic elements, IMAP aims to enhance the effectiveness of psychedelic therapies, potentially benefiting a broader range of patients.
Abstract
The original MAPS manual for MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) opened a therapeutic frontier for PTSD. However, it drew critique for concepts—such as...
Out-of-body experiences: interpretations through the eyes of those who live them.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
People who have out-of-body experiences often describe them as more vivid and real than everyday life. Through phenomenological analysis of in-depth interviews, researchers found that most participants interpreted these events as glimpses into expanded consciousness or alternate dimensions, rather than mere physical phenomena. Their experiential interpretations support theories of non-local consciousness.
Abstract
Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are primarily characterized by the sensation of the self being located outside one's physical body. The complexity o...
Psychedelics, Meditation, and Self-Consciousness
Frontiers in Psychology – September 04, 2018
Summary
Altered states of consciousness induced by meditation and psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, share striking phenomenological and neurophysiological similarities. Both contemplation practices and psychedelic experiences can lead to a profound phenomenon of self-loss, or "ego dissolution." Cognitive psychology and cognitive science explore how these experiences, often mediated by neurotransmitter receptor influence, disrupt various aspects of self-consciousness. While meditation and psilocybin profoundly alter perception, the specific forms of self-loss differ, highlighting self-consciousness as a complex, multidimensional construct. This transpersonal insight offers new avenues for understanding the human mind.
Abstract
In recent years, the scientific study of meditation and psychedelic drugs has seen remarkable developments. The increased focus on meditation in co...
The Therapeutic Potential of Nonordinary States of Consciousness, as Explored in the Work of Stanislav Grof
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – July 01, 1992
Summary
Profound shifts in awareness can unlock significant healing potential. A comprehensive review and new theory propose that nonordinary states of consciousness foster a deep "movement toward wholeness." Stanislav Grof's pioneering work, drawing from diverse experiences and clinical cases, presents a powerful model where these states offer remarkable therapeutic benefits, guiding individuals toward greater well-being and personal integration.
Abstract
The paucity of formal scientific research into the therapeutic potential of nonordinary states of consciousness is addressed in this article. A lit...
Psychedelic Psychotherapy: Insights From 25 Years of Research
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – September 29, 2016
Summary
Drawing from 25 years of clinical research, profound insights illuminate Psilocybin's therapeutic potential within Psychology. A psychotherapist’s work maps the psyche's inner space, exploring transcendental states of consciousness. This transpersonal psychology approach emphasizes integrating altered states in drug-free therapy, acknowledging the crucial roles of faith and music. Understanding neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior and the chemical synthesis of alkaloids is vital. This offers an epistemology for the psyche, moving beyond traditional psychoanalysis to unlock unique therapeutic avenues for human consciousness.
Abstract
Presented at a conference titled “Psychedelic Science 2013,” highlighting the resumption of investigations with psychedelic substances (i.e., psilo...
Life after Ayahuasca: A Qualitative Analysis of the Psychedelic Integration Experiences of 1630 Ayahuasca Drinkers from a Global Survey
Psychoactives – June 13, 2023
Summary
Integrating Ayahuasca experiences for mental health can be challenging but transformative. A qualitative research survey of 1630 Ayahuasca drinkers (50.4% male) used thematic analysis to explore post-experience integration. Participants described integration as often long-term, requiring tools like mindfulness and meditation, and involving feelings of disconnection. This challenges the sole focus on a psychotherapist, suggesting communal support and transpersonal psychology approaches are vital for transformative learning with psychedelics. While not detailing biochemical analysis or chemical synthesis of alkaloids, this work in Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights the complex human experience.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychoactive plant medicine being explored for its potential therapeutic uses in Western contexts. Preliminary studies li...
Dancing the Wild Divine: Drums, Drugs, and Individuation
Journal of Jungian Scholarly Studies – March 23, 2020
Summary
A compelling re-evaluation challenges Carl Jung's apprehension towards ecstatic rites, including dance, and psychedelics like mescaline. Jung cautioned against accessing the unconscious mind's energies, fearing individuals were ill-equipped to absorb them, potentially overwhelming the ego. However, extensive recent work in shamanism and the burgeoning field of Psychedelics and Drug Studies reveals significant value. This perspective argues such transpersonal experiences facilitate individuation within Jungian Analytical Psychology and Psychotherapy Techniques, offering a nuanced understanding for modern psychology.
Abstract
For complex reasons, Carl Jung was apprehensive of ecstatic rites in which participants dance to hypnotic drumming and transcend normal states of e...
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 ...