Memory

Some memory recollections may themselves be psychedelic experiences, occurring spontaneously, during meditation, or after taking psychedelic substances. The chapter defines mindfulness as the opposite of a psychecryptic (mind-concealing) state and links it to psychedelic space. It reviews evidence that meditation and psychedelics can reveal hidden memories, but concludes that the empirical research is not yet definitive. A key proposal is that verifying the accuracy of memories uncovered in psychedelic-assisted therapy offers a salient test of whether psychedelics are truly mind-manifesting.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract This chapter explores the idea that some memory recollections count as psychedelic experiences and that they can occur spontaneously, during and after meditation, and as a result of consuming psychedelic substances. The chapter also introduces the concept of mindfulness and unpacks the deep and important connection between mindfulness and memory. This analysis of mindfulness is then used for formulating a definition of mindfulness in terms of psychedelic space, as well as one in terms of mindfulness being the opposite of a psychecryptic (mind-concealing) state. The chapter then reviews the evidence that meditation and psychedelics can reveal hidden memories, arguing that while the evidence supports these hypotheses, the empirical research is not yet definitive. In particular, it is proposed that empirically verifying the accuracy of memories revealed during psychedelic-assisted therapy is a particularly salient way of testing the hypothesis that psychedelics are, indeed, psychedelic.