Psychedelic Science of Spirituality and Religion: An Attachment-Informed Agenda Proposal
Aaron D. Cherniak, Joel Gruneau Brulin, Sebastian Ostlind, Mario Mikulincer, Robin Carhart-Harris, Pehr Granqvist
preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/jgcrk
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractOur early relationships profoundly shape how we connect with others and the divine. This framework proposes that psychedelics could help relax rigid mental patterns formed by these foundational experiences. It suggests an individual's attachment security influences their psychedelic journey, and that effective psychedelic therapy may actually boost this security. The process involves fostering a deeper sense of connection and easing worries, enhancing treatment benefits.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Entheogenic therapy Psychedelic treatment Relational attachment Early relationships Emotional health |
| Key finding | Attachment theory and the REBUS model together provide a framework for understanding how psychedelic experiences may alter rigid internal working models related to spirituality and relationships. |
Abstract
In this paper, we set an agenda for a psychedelic science of spirituality and religion, based on a synthesis of attachment theory with the Relaxed Beliefs Under pSychedelics (REBUS) model. Attachment theory proposes that people develop internal working models (IWMs) of interactions with others from their relational experiences with caregivers. Such IWMs then function as high-level priors enabling people, for better and for worse, to predict and organize their interpersonal and religious/spiritual relationships. One mechanism by which efficacious psychedelic interventions may work is by relaxing the grip of rigid, defensive priors (e.g., insecure IWMs with regard to others and God), further amplified by corrective relational experiences with the therapist, God, or others. We outline three key proposals to steer future research. First, individual differences in attachment security predict the phenomenology and integration of psychedelic experiences. Second, efficacious psychedelic therapy facilitates increased attachment security as a clinically relevant outcome. Third, attachment-related dynamics (e.g., a sense of connection to others and God, alleviation of attachment-related worries and defenses) are process-level mechanisms involved in the clinical utility of psychedelic treatment. Finally, we discuss the role of religion and spirituality in psychedelic experiences from an attachment perspective.