The phenomenology of psychedelic therapy

Psychedelic therapy in controlled settings, such as clinical trials and religious rituals, commonly produces changes in perception and sense of self. Patients sometimes report non-naturalistic metaphysical epiphanies about cosmic consciousness or a divine Reality, but more frequently emphasize psychological insight, beneficial changes to self-representation, intense and cathartic emotional experiences, and feelings of connectedness and acceptance. This qualitative evidence suggests that therapeutic effects may not be due entirely to inducing metaphysical ideations.

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Abstract

‘The phenomenology of psychedelic therapy’ provides a selective overview of experiences commonly reported by those who take psychedelics in controlled and structured settings, such as clinical trials and religious rituals. The first half of this chapter reviews a variety of typical changes to perception and the sense of self. The second half reviews qualitative evidence concerning patients’ impressions of the therapeutic process. Patients who receive psychedelics in clinical trials sometimes, but not always, describe non-naturalistic metaphysical epiphanies concerning the existence of a cosmic consciousness, spirit world, or divine Reality. More commonly emphasised are experiences of psychological insight, beneficial changes to self-representation, intense and cathartic emotional experiences, and feelings of connectedness and acceptance. This evidence provides initial clues that psychedelics’ therapeutic effects may not be due entirely to the induction of non-naturalistic metaphysical ideations.