What Is Psychedelic Experience?

Summary

The chapter discusses the concept of a psychedelic experience, particularly as defined by Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond, who proposed that substances like psilocybin and LSD reveal hidden aspects of the mind. This idea is presented as a significant insight but remains an empirical hypothesis that requires testing. The author emphasizes the need to clarify what constitutes a psychedelic experience to evaluate this hypothesis effectively.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract This chapter introduces the book's central question: what is a psychedelic experience? Upon reviewing the exchanges between Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond concerning their introduction of the term 'psychedelic', the chapter proposes that we should understand the notion along the lines they intended. Their idea was that substances such as psilocybin and LSD induce experiences that reveal hidden parts or aspects of the mind and, therefore, should be called “psychedelics” or mind-revealers. This was a novel and profound insight into the nature of these substances. However, it is also an empirical hypothesis that may be false and, therefore, should be tested. The chapter argues that in order to do this, we first need to explicate the concept of psychedelic experience in more precise terms so that we can know what kind of evidence may be marshalled in support of – or against – the hypothesis.