Psychedelic Drugs and Jungian Therapy

A review of historical and recent research indicates that psychedelic drugs, when used in psychotherapy, may facilitate access to unconscious material and produce deep, lasting psychological change. The authors examine these effects through the lens of Jungian theory, highlighting archetypal aspects of hallucinogenic experiences with clinical vignettes. The evidence suggests therapeutic potential, though the text does not report specific effect sizes or definitive conclusions.

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Abstract

The authors review the history of and recent research on the psychotherapeutic efficacy of psychedelic drugs. Psychedelic drugs appear to provide access to unconscious material and, when used in a therapeutic context, may cause deep and longstanding psychological change. The psychological effects of psychedelic drugs are reviewed from the perspective of Jungian theory. A series of clinical vignettes illustrates the archetypal aspects of hallucinogenic experiences.