Psychedelics and the science of self-experience
Matthew M. Nour, Robin Carhart‐Harris
The British Journal of Psychiatry March 1, 2017 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.116.194738 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAltered self-experiences, which occur in some psychiatric conditions and can be induced by psychoactive drugs or spiritual practices, are now being studied through a neuroscience framework that combines functional neuroimaging with altered states from psychedelic drugs. This emerging understanding may significantly benefit psychiatry.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Psychology Religious experience Altered state Neuroimaging Hallucinogen |
| Citations | 90 |
| Key finding | A neuroscience of self-experience is crystallizing from functional neuroimaging and psychedelic-induced altered states, potentially advancing psychiatry. |
Abstract
Summary Altered self-experiences arise in certain psychiatric conditions, and may be induced by psychoactive drugs and spiritual/religious practices. Recently, a neuroscience of self-experience has begun to crystallise, drawing upon findings from functional neuroimaging and altered states of consciousness occasioned by psychedelic drugs. This advance may be of great importance for psychiatry.