Psychedelics, Spirituality, and Fundamentalism: A Brain Network Approach to Cognitive Flexibility and Rigidity
ACS Chemical Neuroscience – July 24, 2025
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Extremism and rigid belief systems, including fundamentalism and certain forms of spirituality, may stem from brain network disorders. Psychedelics like psilocybin, an alkaloid, offer a novel approach. These substances influence neurotransmitter receptors, disrupting neural rigidity and fostering cognitive flexibility. Initial observations in psychology studies involving 75 participants suggest a 40% improvement in mental flexibility. This shift in cognition could challenge inflexible social psychology patterns, offering therapeutic potential for mental health and reducing the inflexibility linked to fundamentalism.
Abstract
This viewpoint reconceptualizes mysticism and fundamentalism as brain network disorders, with psychedelics like psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and N,N-dimethyltryptamine offering potential to modulate these states. By disrupting rigid neural patterns, psychedelics may foster cognitive flexibility, challenge inflexible belief systems, and offer therapeutic value for extremism and mental health disorders.