Expansion and Regression in Oceanic Experience: A Model of Psychedelic Consciousness for Psychoanalysis

The authors argue that psychedelic-assisted therapy does not simply cause regression to an earlier developmental stage, as some psychoanalytic theories suggest. Instead, they propose that psychedelics expand consciousness along a continuum from ordinary discursive thought, through dreamlike liminal states, to unitive experiences of oneness. They contend that traditional psychoanalytic regression models do not align with findings from psychedelic neuroscience or infant observation research. Oceanic experiences under psychedelics are explored as a powerful healing force from a new psychoanalytic perspective. A case example of a patient using ketamine in analytic treatment illustrates the theoretical points.

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Abstract

In this paper, we take up the question of what happens from a psychoanalytic perspective when a patient engages in psychedelic-assisted therapy. While some writers have suggested that psychedelic agents promote regression to an earlier point in development, we argue that such states may be better understood as expanding the mind beyond ordinary consciousness. We assert that traditional models of psychoanalytic regression applied to psychedelic states do not adequately align with findings from psychedelic neuroscience or from infant observation research. Instead, we see states of consciousness from the beginning of life and throughout the lifecycle as fluctuating on a continuum between discursive, highly differentiated cognitive processes, on one end, through dreamlike, liminal states of awareness, to unitive experiences of oneness, on the other. These are considered part of a normative spectrum of consciousness. We explore oceanic experiences as a unique expanded state of consciousness from a new psychoanalytic perspective and highlight the way these experiences under psychedelics can be a powerful force for healing. A case example of a patient who used ketamine as part of his analytic treatment is offered to illustrate our theoretical points.