NATURALIZING PSYCHEDELIC SPIRITUALITY

A pressing philosophical problem is how to respond to existential anxiety and disenchantment arising from a naturalistic worldview that rejects transcendent foundations for meaning. The popularization of neuroscience makes this disenchanted view of humans more vivid and widespread. The study of transformative experiences from classic psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin may reveal a practical solution. Although psychedelic transformation often involves nonnaturalistic metaphysical beliefs, research suggests key elements of psychedelic spirituality are consistent with naturalism. These include disruption of neurocognitive mechanisms underpinning the sense of self, leading to self-transcendence and decoupling of attention from personal concerns, which can broaden perspectives and foster wonder and appreciation for life.

Study at a glance

Abstract

A pressing philosophical problem is how to respond to the existential, anxiety and disenchantment resulting from a naturalistic worldview that eschews transcendent foundations for meaning and value. This problem is becoming more urgent as the popularization of neuroscientific findings renders a disenchanted conception of human beings ever more vivid, compelling, and widespread. I argue that the study of transformative experiences occasioned by classic psychedelic drugs such as lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin may reveal the nature of a viable practical solution to this problem. Despite the apparent centrality of nonnaturalistic metaphysical apprehensions to psychedelic transformation, findings from psychedelic research suggest that key elements of psychedelic or “entheogenic” spirituality are consistent with naturalism. These include disruption to neurocognitive mechanisms underpinning the sense of self, and consequent experiences of self‐transcendence and of the decoupling of attention from personal concerns. This liberation of attention can result in the availability of broader perspectives and the development of wonder and appreciation for life.