Aesthetic experiences arise from an interplay of sensory, affective, and semantic processes. Psychedelics can profoundly alter these perceptions and evaluations, making them a valuable tool for investigating the neural basis of aesthetic experience. This article identifies synergies between psychedelic research and cognitive neuroscience to advance neuroaesthetics. It explores how psychedelic changes to sensory, affective, and semantic effects can inform understanding of neural mechanisms. The authors leverage existing theoretical frameworks and offer a preliminary agenda for future research.
Aesthetic qualities of psychedelic experiences—such as beauty, awe, and sensory richness—are linked to better therapeutic outcomes. In a cross-sectional survey, people who had recently used psilocybin, LSD, or DMT completed questionnaires about their acute experiences and later psychological well-being. Aesthetic experiences positively predicted emotional breakthroughs, psychological insight, mystical experiences, and general improvements in depression, anxiety, and quality of life. They were negatively associated with challenging experiences like fear and paranoia. The findings suggest that enhancing the aesthetic environment during psychedelic therapy could improve therapeutic benefits.