What Conceptual Metaphors Appear in Texts on Psychedelics and Medicine? Corpus-Based Cognitive Study
Respectus Philologicus January 1, 2022
An analysis of 160 online texts from 2020 about psychedelics in medical research, mental health, and therapy identifies three main conceptual metaphors: psychedelic experience is a trip (a single event involving adventure, sacredness, or challenge that requires return), psychedelic experience is a journey (a series of experiences, integration, and development that may involve healing), and psychedelic substance is a tool, bridge, vehicle, or agent providing access. Collocates of the word "psychedelic" also suggest the substances or experience are conceptualized as medicine.