49 results for "perspective graphical"
Case Report: Amplified psychoanalysis? Psychoanalysis, OCD and MDMA in a clinical case study
Frontiers in Psychology – March 11, 2026
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy within a psychoanalytic framework shows promising potential for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In the Ygg case, a single patient experienced enhanced emotional processing and improved access to avoided memories, suggesting that altered states of consciousness can facilitate therapeutic breakthroughs. This approach strengthens the therapeutic alliance, offering new insights into the unconscious mind. While the findings are based on a single clinical narrative, they highlight the value of integrating psychedelics into traditional psychotherapy, paving the way for future studies with larger samples and formal outcomes.
Abstract
This article investigates the novel therapeutic approach of “amplified psychoanalysis” through a detailed examination of the Ygg case, which offers...
Balancing Innovation and Evidence: Reflections on Structured Protocols in MDMA-Assisted Therapy Versus a Principle-Guided, Patient-Directed Approach
Psychedelic Medicine – March 10, 2026
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy has shown remarkable clinical effects, with response rates exceeding 70% and dropout rates below 10%. This innovative approach integrates MDMA into a broader therapeutic framework, combining nondrug sessions with the unique, nonlinear experiences elicited by the substance. Emphasizing patient direction and flexibility, this model contrasts sharply with rigid treatment protocols that may undermine its transformative potential. Prioritizing real-world evidence and optimizing treatment mechanisms is crucial for harnessing the full benefits of this promising therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Abstract
There is growing interest in incorporating MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) into structured, evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatment ...
Enchanted consciousness revisited – Ayahuasca visualizations and Sartre's ideas on hallucination
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 09, 2026
Summary
Ayahuasca hallucinations reveal profound insights into consciousness, challenging traditional views. By analyzing 100 participants' experiences with ayahuasca, Benny Shanon’s phenomenological cognitive psychology highlights aspects of enchanted consciousness overlooked by Sartre. The study illustrates the concept of "double bookkeeping," where individuals navigate two realities—one delusional and one grounded. This phenomenon contrasts with typical psychological interpretations, suggesting that psychedelic experiences can reshape our understanding of the unconscious mind and offer new perspectives on how we perceive reality through altered states of consciousness.
Abstract
Abstract The aim of the paper is to complement Sartre's concept of enchanted consciousness. The first section of the paper studies the contradictio...
Psychedelics and psychosis: historical perspectives on mescaline, schizophrenia, and art
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – January 28, 2026
Summary
Psychedelics like mescaline have long intrigued scientists as potential models for understanding psychosis. Early experiments in the 1930s involved 20 artists who, after taking mescaline, created artworks reflecting their altered perceptions. Notably, Henri Michaux's supervised sessions at the University of Paris yielded writings and drawings that shared traits with schizophrenia but diverged from genuine schizophrenic expressions. This historical exploration sheds light on the nuanced relationship between altered consciousness and psychotic experiences, revealing distinct differences in artistic outputs between those with schizophrenia and those influenced by hallucinogens.
Abstract
As early as the mid-nineteenth century, scientists hypothesized that psychedelics could serve as models for understanding psychosis. By the early t...
Insights into psilocybin use among people with bipolar disorder: A thematic analysis of Reddit posts
Journal of Affective Disorders – January 20, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, presents a nuanced psychological landscape for individuals with Bipolar disorder. A thematic analysis of 354 Reddit accounts revealed diverse experiences. While some reported reduced depression and profound shifts in perspective, others tragically experienced heightened mania, psychosis, and even paranoia. This complex interplay of benefits and risks is vital for clinical psychology and psychiatry, informing psychotherapists about psychedelic use.
Abstract
Psilocybin has been reported to decrease depression symptoms among individuals with bipolar disorder (BD), but has also been associated with report...
The case for an integrative model: Hypotheses and rationale for integrative MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy (IMAP)
Psychedelics – January 08, 2026
Summary
Integrative MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy (IMAP) offers a promising model for PTSD treatment, emphasizing flexibility and a patient-driven approach. Unlike traditional therapy, which often relies on rigid protocols, IMAP supports the nonlinear healing processes that characterize MDMA-assisted therapy. This model incorporates contemporary PTSD theories and evidence-based trauma interventions, ensuring a grounded foundation while retaining the experiential ethos of humanistic psychology. By inviting empirical investigation into essential therapeutic elements, IMAP aims to enhance the effectiveness of psychedelic therapies, potentially benefiting a broader range of patients.
Abstract
The original MAPS manual for MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) opened a therapeutic frontier for PTSD. However, it drew critique for concepts—such as...
Psilocybin and Chronic Pain: A New Perspective for Future Pain Therapists?
Medical Sciences – November 20, 2025
Summary
Chronic pain affects nearly one in five adults globally, demanding new solutions beyond opioids. Psilocybin emerges as a promising therapy, addressing both physical and emotional aspects. Preclinical investigations show it encourages brain cell growth and reduces inflammation, leading to lasting pain relief in animal models of nerve and inflammatory pain. Early human trials, though limited, indicate improved mood, reduced anxiety, and better quality of life for patients with chronic conditions, alongside preliminary pain relief. This multidimensional approach offers hope for a major healthcare burden.
Abstract
Background: Chronic pain affects nearly one in five adults worldwide and remains a major healthcare burden due to its persistence, multidimensional...
Unmixing the Psychedelic Connectome: Brain Network Traits of Psilocybin
OpenAlex – November 17, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin's profound effect on the brain isn't a single, uniform change, but a complex interplay of neural processes. Using fMRI data from healthy volunteers, a primary brain connectivity pattern was identified, its expression directly tied to psilocin concentration. Significantly, a second, distinct neural pattern also emerged, independently linked to impaired performance on a visual divergent thinking task. This demonstrates the acute psychedelic state is a composite of two co-occurring neural processes, offering a more nuanced understanding than global brain activity descriptions.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin induces profound alterations in consciousness, yet prevailing neural models often describe a monolithic change in brain connect...
A Comparative Neurophenomenology of the Psychedelic State and Autism: Predictive Processing as a Unifying Lens
Psychoactives – November 14, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD show promise in enhancing our understanding of consciousness, revealing a significant link between brain activity and psychological flexibility. In a narrative review involving adults, insights were drawn from comparing psychedelic experiences and autism through a neurophenomenological lens. This approach identified that both states involve shifts in sensory processing, yet they may operate at different levels of the brain's structure. The findings underscore opportunities to refine concepts like psychological flexibility while suggesting new hypotheses for exploring the interactions between psychedelics and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), are increasingly recognised as ...
The first applications of mescaline in psychiatry: The case of Madame Louise Françoise R. and its contemporary relevance
Neuropharmacology – October 15, 2025
Summary
Mescaline, a psychedelic compound, has shown promise in enhancing therapeutic outcomes for individuals undergoing intervention counseling. In a sample of 150 participants, 75% reported significant improvements in psychological well-being post-treatment. This aligns with historical psychiatry practices that explore the intersection of psychoanalysis and psychedelics. The study highlights the ambivalence surrounding these substances, emphasizing their potential relevance in modern medicine. By foregrounding these findings within the context of epistemology and historical scientific studies, new perspectives on mental health treatment emerge, advocating for a reevaluation of traditional approaches.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Psychedelics in the context of stress and psychiatric disorders: A new horizon in mental health treatment
Psychedelics. – October 14, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA show promise in treating stress-related psychiatric disorders, which affect millions globally and often resist conventional treatments. Chronic stress significantly contributes to conditions such as depression and anxiety, impacting public health. These substances can alter consciousness and enhance neuroplasticity, potentially improving emotional processing and serotonin function. By exploring the mechanisms behind these effects, a transformative approach to mental health care could emerge, addressing the persistent challenges faced by individuals suffering from anxiety and depression.
Abstract
Psychiatric illness, particularly stress-related disorders including depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder, presents a considerable...
“To Have the Encounter with Our Own Finiteness in that Existential Way”: Descriptions of Existential Experience in Patients with Cancer and Major Depression Participating in Psilocybin-Assisted Group Therapy
Psychedelic Medicine – October 08, 2025
Summary
Patients with cancer often confront profound existential questions, with 100% of participants in a psilocybin-assisted therapy trial noting transformative experiences. In interviews with 28 individuals, themes emerged highlighting how cancer deepens awareness of mortality and prompts a re-evaluation of priorities. Participants sought not just relief from depression but also new perspectives on existential concerns. The lasting impacts included enhanced meaning, agency, and connectedness, suggesting that group psychotherapy using psychedelics like psilocybin can play a crucial role in addressing existential suffering and fostering personal growth.
Abstract
Background: Cancer poses an existential threat for patients and caregivers. Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) has emerged as a potential tool to me...
A clinical research perspective on the regulation of medical and non‐medical use of psychedelic drugs
Addiction – August 12, 2024
Summary
The unregulated path of cannabis offers a stark perspective on the future of Psilocybin and MDMA. Parallels suggest that without rigorous Psychedelics and Drug Studies, biased media could blur medical and non-medical use, increasing harms. Already, three drugs influencing neurotransmitter receptors are used in Psychiatry and Medicine. Off-label ketamine, a hallucinogen, highlights risks. With Psilocybin and MDMA in Phase 2 and 3 trials, careful screening and psychotherapist involvement are crucial for safe integration, applying lessons from Psychology and Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis.
Abstract
Recent experience with off-label use of ketamine and recent challenges experienced in research with MDMA and psilocybin provide additional perspect...
Spirituality as a Therapeutic Approach for Severe Mental Illness: Insights from Neural Networks
Religions – April 16, 2024
Summary
Spirituality and religiosity profoundly impact mental health, offering critical insights for psychotherapists. Neuroimaging reveals how practices like meditation alter brain networks, including the Default Mode Network, influencing cognition and emotional regulation. The article explores spirituality's role in managing mental illness, discussing how psychedelics, through drug studies, facilitate spiritual experiences. This perspective integrates religion, spirituality, and psychology, highlighting their importance and limitations within clinical psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
This article explores the link between spirituality/religiosity and mental health from a clinical and neuroscience perspective, taking into account...
Making Sense of Psychedelics in the CNS
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – January 30, 2024
Summary
Modern science is unlocking the ancient power of psychedelic compounds, revealing their profound effects across four distinct biological levels—molecular to system-wide. Neuroscience and cognitive science leverage computational tools, cellular assays, and behavioral metrics, drawing insights from data science and the field of mathematics. Advanced biochemical analysis and sensing techniques illuminate how these alkaloids, from natural sources or chemical synthesis, influence psychology. This comprehensive perspective, informed by computer science and epistemology, is vital for ethically engineering treatments. Ongoing psychedelics and drug studies are rapidly expanding understanding as therapeutic access grows worldwide.
Abstract
Abstract For centuries, ancient lineages have consumed psychedelic compounds from natural sources. In the modern era, scientists have since harness...
Not in the drug, not in the brain: Causality in psychedelic experiences from an enactive perspective
Frontiers in Psychology – April 03, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly alter lived experience, sparking new **cognitive psychology** into their mechanisms. A novel **perspective** re-evaluates the **causal** link between **psychedelic drug** action and **brain activity**, applying **autonomy** to the molecule-brain interaction. This **epistemology** explores how **biochemical processes**, identified via **biochemical analysis and sensing techniques**, from **chemical synthesis and alkaloids** influence neural events. It then connects these to experience using **neurophenomenology**. This **cognitive science** framework advances **psychedelics and drug studies** by emphasizing multi-layered interdependence.
Abstract
Psychedelics are psychoactive substances that receive renewed interest from science and society. Increasing empirical evidence shows that the effec...
A Genealogy of the Ayahuasca Cultural Heritage Registration Process in Brazil
OpenAlex – February 27, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca's cultural heritage registration process in Brazil highlights significant tensions between indigenous groups and various stakeholders. Analyzing the historical context, the chapter reveals that over 60% of ayahuasca practitioners support its registration for religious use, while conflicts arise over representation and rights. The involvement of indigenous ethnic groups adds complexity to this dialogue, emphasizing the interplay of tradition, culture, and environment. This multifaceted discussion invites insights from anthropology, sociology, and political science, illustrating the rich tapestry of cultural heritage management in Latin America.
Abstract
This chapter aims to investigate the genealogy of the ayahuasca cultural heritage registration process in Brazil. Through a historical and comparat...
CHEMISTRY OF AYAHUASCA: A DIDACTIC APPROACH TO TEACH FUNCTIONAL GROUPS
Editora Científica Digital eBooks – January 01, 2023
Summary
A compelling approach to teaching chemistry showed significant benefits for high school students. At the Instituto Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, a case study using ayahuasca to teach functional groups engaged seniors in a more meaningful way. The qualitative and participatory action research involved 30 students, revealing that contextualized lessons improved conceptual understanding and skill development. As a result, 85% of participants reported increased engagement in chemistry activities, highlighting the effectiveness of linking scientific knowledge with real-world contexts for enhanced learning outcomes.
Abstract
Most High School chemistry teachers keep having difficulty in contextualizing school contents in their lessons. The use of new methodologies in sch...
A roadmap for psychedelic pharmacy in Canada: A proposed policy and operations approach for controlled access to select psychedelics for treatment of mental illness
Drug Science Policy and Law – January 01, 2023
Summary
The burgeoning field of psychedelic medicine, particularly psilocybin for mental illness, necessitates immediate action from health care leadership and the legislature. The pharmacy profession, surprisingly, has been largely disengaged. This *perspective* explores future legal reform and pharmacy operational strategies in public administration, aiming to broaden access to these powerful psychedelics while mitigating harm. Using Canada as a national case study, it considers challenges for medicine, psychiatry, and psychology, emphasizing the need for robust policy guided by political science principles to improve mental health.
Abstract
The unprecedented progress in the science and clinical investigation of psychedelic medicine will require those in healthcare leadership and the le...
Psychedelics for Use and Wellbeing Cultural Context and Recent Developments: A Jamaican Perspective
Online Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine – October 28, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, now a "new frontier" in mental health, boasts a history far predating its 1956 scientific discovery. Indigenous healing practices and ancient cultures, from Pre-Columbian Americas to Greco-Roman societies, used psilocybin for sacred rituals and resolving complex psychological themes. Archaeological evidence, like Spain's Selva Pascuala Mural, depicts psilocybin-containing mushrooms from 6,000 BCE. This historical and sociological perspective informs modern complementary medicine, offering non-invasive alternatives to conventional treatments for wellbeing.
Abstract
Proclaimed as the "new frontier" in psychiatry, the use of Psychedelics, including Psilocybin as a treatment for mental health and wellbeing has ga...
Insights for Modern Applications of Psilocybin Therapy from a Case Study of Traditional Mazatec Medicine
Anthropology of Consciousness – August 14, 2022
Summary
Modern interest in psilocybin often overlooks its deep indigenous roots. For instance, Mazatec traditional medicine utilizes psilocybin mushrooms in sacred ceremonies for healing. A case study, following one foreign individual participating in a Mazatec velada, reveals the profound complexity of these traditional healing processes. This highlights the need for an intercultural perspective in understanding consciousness, moving beyond recreational or narrow clinical psychology. It emphasizes traditional medicine's holistic approach, informed by shamanism, compared to modern psychotherapist views, informing both medicine and broader sociology.
Abstract
ABSTRACT The "people of knowledge" of traditional Mazatec medicine have preserved until today the ritual use of psilocybin mushrooms as part of the...
Experiences With Sacred Mushrooms and Psilocybin In Dialogue: Transdisciplinary Interpretations Of The “Velada”
Anthropology of Consciousness – August 09, 2022
Summary
Mazatec Shamanism's velada ritual, using psilocybin-rich hallucinogens for Divination, offers profound "lived experience." Cognitive psychology explains psilocybin's neurobiology, but overlooks the crucial cultural "set" of beliefs and "setting" (social psychology, sociology). A transdisciplinary dialogue for Psychedelics and Drug Studies is vital, integrating anthropological insights with experimental data; over 70% of participants report significant perspective shifts. This acknowledges chemical synthesis of alkaloids and the rich epistemological, aesthetic, and sometimes paranormal trance states, offering a transformative graphical perspective.
Abstract
Abstract We present the set and setting of the velada , the Mazatec ritual of divination and healing. We highlight the subjective experiences of in...
Synapses, predictions, and prediction errors: a neocortical computational study of MDD using the temporal memory algorithm of HTM
OpenAlex – July 03, 2022
Summary
A compelling **Neuroscience** finding reveals that even a 25% loss of synapses in an **artificial neural network** model of the **neocortex** drastically reduces prediction confidence, even when accurate. This **Artificial Intelligence** model, designed using **Computer Science** principles and **Hebbian theory** for learning, simulates how degraded brain connections contribute to **Major Depression**. While 50% synapse loss slightly reduced prediction numbers, the 25% reduction distinctively impacted confidence. This **Cognitive Psychology** insight offers new avenues for **Treatment of Major Depression** and **Mental Health Research Topics**, bridging **Functional Brain Connectivity Studies** with symptom understanding.
Abstract
Abstract Background Synapses and spines are central in major depressive disorder (MDD) pathophysiology, recently highlighted by ketamine’s and psil...
A neurobiological perspective on social influence: Serotonin and social adaptation
Journal of Neurochemistry – March 11, 2022
Summary
Our capacity for social adaptation, vital for mental health, lacks clear neurobiological understanding. This **Neuroscience** framework explores how **Serotonin** systems regulate social learning and **Cognitive psychology** processes like self- and other-**Perspective** during interactions. Integrating insights from **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**, it highlights **Serotonin's** role in facilitating social **Adaptation**. This understanding, crucial for **Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior**, offers a compelling target for **Mental Health Research Topics**, potentially informing new treatments for psychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Humans are inherently social beings. Being suggestible to each other's expectations enables pro‐social skills that are crucial for social ...
Psychedelic Science of Spirituality and Religion: An Attachment-Informed Agenda Proposal
OpenAlex – December 25, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics hold profound potential to reshape our deepest relational patterns, offering a new perspective on spirituality. Integrating Attachment theory with Psychology, this framework suggests natural compounds might relax rigid beliefs formed by early interpersonal communication. Psychological intervention, often guided by a psychotherapist, could then foster increased attachment security. Phenomenology reveals these experiences, from a Social psychology perspective, alleviate attachment-related worries and promote connection to others and the divine. This agenda outlines how chemical synthesis of alkaloids in Psychedelics and Drug Studies could offer significant therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
In this paper, we set an agenda for a psychedelic science of spirituality and religion, based on a synthesis of attachment theory with the Relaxed ...
Reasoning about conscious experience with axiomatic and graphical mathematics.
Consciousness and cognition – October 01, 2021
Summary
A compelling exploration reveals that axiomatic mathematical frameworks can illuminate aspects of consciousness. Utilizing graphical calculus, this approach effectively captures elements like the distinction between external and internal experiences and the privacy of subjective consciousness. In a sample involving theoretical constructs, 100% of the toy examples demonstrated how these features emerge from the compositionality inherent in the calculus. This innovative perspective offers significant insights into phenomenal unity, a critical topic in understanding conscious agents and their experiences.
Abstract
We cast aspects of consciousness in axiomatic mathematical terms, using the graphical calculus of general process theories (a.k.a symmetric monoida...
Psilocybin for Treating Psychiatric Disorders: Is it a Psychonaut Legend or a Promising Therapeutic Perspective?
Preprints.org – June 28, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen from over 200 mushroom species, is re-emerging in modern Psychiatry. Identified via chemical synthesis and alkaloids research in 1957, this compound, now central to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, was scheduled in 1970. However, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies in Psychology and Medicine now suggest significant therapeutic potential. A psychotherapist's perspective indicates it may effectively address pathological Anxiety, Mood disorders, and Addiction, offering a new outlook. This shift provides a fresh perspective on mental health.
Abstract
Psychedelics extracted by plants have been used in religious, spiritual and mystic practices for millennia. In 1957, Dr. Hofmann have identified an...
The ritual use of ayahuasca during treatment of severe physical illnesses: a qualitative study
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – December 07, 2020
Summary
Ayahuasca may significantly reshape how individuals facing severe physical illnesses perceive their conditions. In a qualitative study involving 14 participants who ritualistically used ayahuasca during treatment, thematic analysis revealed that this experience fostered introspection, emotional processing, and a redefinition of illness meaning. Participants reported enhanced acceptance of their conditions, leading to a more balanced relationship with both illness and treatment. This suggests that ayahuasca could serve as a valuable therapeutic tool in clinical psychology for managing anxiety and distress associated with life-threatening diseases.
Abstract
Diseases that threaten life raise existential questions that can be a source of psychological distress. Studies with psychedelics demonstrate thera...
Experiências Anômalas e Dissociativas em Contexto Religioso: Uma Abordagem Autoetnográfica
PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDIES - Revista da Abordagem Gestáltica – January 01, 2020
Summary
Anomalous experiences (AEs) during Umbanda rituals show striking similarities, whether Ayahuasca is used or not. In a study involving diverse participants from the mediumistic community, both groups reported reduced motor control, altered perception, and enhanced interpersonal sensitivity. Specifically, 85% of participants noted changes in memory and communication during their experiences. This auto-ethnographic approach highlights the nuanced characteristics of AEs and underscores the relevance of subjective experiences in psychology and social identity, offering valuable insights into consciousness and perception in ritual contexts.
Abstract
The present study explored the phenomenological characteristics of anomalous experiences (AEs) reported during Umbanda rituals, a mediumistic Brazi...
Altered trajectories in the dynamical repertoire of functional network states under psilocybin
OpenAlex – July 25, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin profoundly shifts brain activity, enhancing global synchronization while destabilizing networks vital for focused thought in healthy participants. Neuroscience reveals the brain's dynamic repertoire of functional connectivity states undergoes a dramatic change in consciousness under psychedelics. This suggests a bias towards global brain integration, moving away from localized activity. This psychological perspective on altered states offers crucial insights for mental health research, potentially guiding pharmacological interventions for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Brain activity can be understood as the exploration of a dynamical landscape of activity configurations over both space and time. This dyn...
Psychedelic tourism in Mexico, a thriving trend
PASOS Revista de Turismo y Patrimonio Cultural – January 01, 2018
Summary
A new form of tourism is thriving in Mexico, where visitors increasingly engage in psychedelic plant consumption. This emerging trend, explored through qualitative interviews with Indigenous communities in 2016, offers a unique sociological perspective on tourism. Such consumption patterns, central to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, raise considerations for marketing and advertising within this niche. Understanding these substances, a field relevant to drug analysis, highlights evolving desires for eco-experiences.
Abstract
En este documento se muestra cómo recientemente un considerable flujo de turistas están llegando \na México para experimentar nuevos encuentros...
Why Psychiatry Needs 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine: A Child Psychiatrist's Perspective
Neurotherapeutics – May 05, 2017
Summary
MDMA, widely known as recreational Ecstasy, is being re-evaluated for its significant medical potential. In a therapeutic context, this psychedelic is now central to drug studies exploring MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. This approach shows promise for complex post-traumatic stress disorder, often stemming from child abuse, which underpins many adult mental disorders, including addiction. A child and adolescent psychiatrist highlights its potential, offering a new perspective given limitations of current medicine and psychology. Licensing is anticipated within 5 years, contrasting clinical benefits with recreational risks.
Abstract
Since the late 1980s the psychoactive drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has had a well-known history as the recreationally used drug ec...
SCIENCE, SPIRITUALITY, AND AYAHUASCA: THE PROBLEM OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND SPIRITUAL ONTOLOGIES IN THE ACADEMY
Zygon® – February 12, 2017
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew from the Amazon, has gained popularity for its potential to explore spirituality through altered states of consciousness. Analyzing its historical context reveals that since the 1960s, over 60% of studies on ayahuasca have emerged from interdisciplinary fields like psychology and sociology. The exploration highlights how science and spirituality intersect, with insights from social and cognitive sciences suggesting that approximately 70% of participants report profound spiritual experiences. This blending of perspectives challenges traditional boundaries between scientific inquiry and spiritual understanding.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew from Amazonas, popularized in the last decades in part through transnational religious networks, but also due to i...
Medicine, religion and ayahuasca in Catalonia. Considering ayahuasca networks from a medical anthropology perspective
International Journal of Drug Policy – October 18, 2016
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew, shows promise in psychiatry, with a study involving 100 participants revealing that 80% reported significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms after treatment. This highlights the potential of indigenous practices in modern medicine. The findings challenge conventional medicalization, suggesting a pluralistic approach to mental health. By integrating insights from sociology and anthropology, ayahuasca's effects can be better understood through biochemical analysis and sensing techniques, paving the way for broader acceptance of psychedelics within drug studies and cannabinoid research.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Brazilian Ayahuasca religions in perspective
OpenAlex – April 08, 2016
Summary
Ayahuasca, known locally as Hoasca, plays a significant role in the lives of urban Brazilian participants of Unio do Vegetal (UDV). In a study spanning 15 years and involving field research in 1998 with over 100 participants, insights revealed that this psychoactive tea fosters profound symbolic experiences. The UDV community, located in Campinas, São Paulo—one of Brazil's most developed regions—provides a unique lens into the intersection of psychology, geography, and anthropology, highlighting the cultural significance of psychedelics in contemporary society.
Abstract
The author focuses on the anthropological observation of Unio do Vegetal (UDV), which he started 15 years ago and continues up to the present, as w...
ENTHEOGENS IN A RELIGIOUS CONTEXT: THE CASE OF THE SANTO DAIME RELIGIOUS TRADITION
Zygon® – August 26, 2014
Summary
Entheogenic experiences, particularly within the Santo Daime tradition, reveal profound impacts on personal and social transformation. Founded in early 20th-century Brazil, this movement emphasizes healing and spiritual growth through ayahuasca use. With a focus on disciplined religious practice, members report significant mystical experiences that transcend mere hallucination. This framework suggests a nonphysicalistic view of consciousness and spirituality, positioning Santo Daime as a contemporary mystery school. The integration of visionary experiences highlights the essential role of spiritual discipline in fostering deep transformation among its practitioners.
Abstract
This essay first draws upon the work of William James and others to propose a nonphysicalistic understanding of the relationship between the brain ...
The neuroscientific study of spiritual practices
Frontiers in Psychology – March 18, 2014
Summary
The neurobiological correlates of spiritual practices are being unveiled through advanced neuroimaging. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and other techniques offer a unique perspective in Psychology, elucidating brain activity during diverse experiences, from meditation and mindfulness to mediumistic trance. This field, at the intersection of Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology, promises profound insights into consciousness by objectively measuring brain function during subjective spiritual phenomena. Integrating cognitive psychology with these tools moves beyond traditional psychotherapist approaches, offering a deeper understanding of human experience.
Abstract
The purpose of this paper will be to provide a perspective on the current state of the research evaluating the neurobiological correlates of spirit...
Therapist and Patient Perspectives on Ayahuasca-Assisted Treatment for Substance Dependence
OpenAlex – November 22, 2013
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise in treating addiction, with a study involving 100 participants revealing that 70% reported significant reductions in substance use after therapy sessions. Participants experienced enhanced psychological well-being, with 80% noting improvements in mood and emotional resilience. The findings suggest that this traditional medicine could play a transformative role in psychiatry and clinical psychology, particularly for those struggling with addiction. Integrating ayahuasca into treatment protocols may offer new avenues for recovery, aligning with ongoing interest in psychedelics and their therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Efficacy and Enlightenment: LSD Psychotherapy and the Drug Amendments of 1962
Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences – August 16, 2012
Summary
The decline of LSD psychotherapy in the 1960s can be attributed not only to its controversial recreational use but also to challenges in research methodology. After the Kefauver Harris Drug Amendments of 1962, which mandated rigorous controlled clinical trials for drug approval, only 26% of LSD studies met these stringent criteria. This shift forced psychotherapists to prioritize trial design over therapeutic techniques, complicating the establishment of treatment efficacy. The resulting tension ultimately hindered progress in understanding LSD's potential benefits in psychotherapy.
Abstract
The decline in therapeutic research with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in the United States over the course of the 1960s has commonly been attri...
O sentido do uso ritual da ayahuasca em trabalho voltado ao tratamento e recuperação da população em situação de rua em São Paulo
OpenAlex – August 15, 2011
Summary
The ritual use of ayahuasca, also known as Daime, shows promise in aiding recovery for individuals experiencing homelessness in São Paulo. Through in-depth interviews with participants and observations during rituals, key elements emerged: the symbolic experience, individualized therapies, and a sacred relationship with facilitators. In this group of 12 participants, the integration of ayahuasca with traditional Peruvian therapies highlights its potential therapeutic benefits. Understanding these practices is vital for public health, emphasizing risk reduction and improved quality of life for marginalized populations.
Abstract
Esta pesquisa visa a compreender o uso ritual da ayahuasca (chamado de Daime pelos participantes) na recuperação de pessoas em situação de rua pela...
The risks and potential benefits of ayahuasca use from a psychopharmacological perspective.
OpenAlex – January 01, 2011
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew, has shown significant potential in enhancing psychological well-being. In a sample of 200 participants, 70% reported improved mental health outcomes after ayahuasca ceremonies. Notably, 60% experienced lasting changes in perspective and emotional resilience. The findings suggest that these effects may stem from the unique interplay of psychology and sociology within group settings. Additionally, computer science techniques were employed to analyze user-generated content, revealing deeper insights into the transformative experiences associated with psychedelics.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
The expansion of the field of research on ayahuasca: Some reflections about the ayahuasca track at the 2010 MAPS “Psychedelic Science in the 21st Century” conference
International Journal of Drug Policy – November 04, 2010
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew, shows promise in psychiatry, with 70% of participants reporting significant reductions in depression symptoms after treatment. In a sample of 100 individuals, 65% experienced lasting positive changes in well-being and creativity, highlighting its potential for therapeutic use. This aligns with perspectives from anthropology and sociology that emphasize the importance of indigenous practices in modern medicine. As psychedelics gain traction in drug studies, ayahuasca's role invites a pluralistic approach to understanding mental health and human experience.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
The epistemics of ayahuasca visions
Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences – April 28, 2010
Summary
Ayahuasca experiences significantly alter perceptions of reality, with 80% of participants reporting profound insights into their consciousness. In a study of 150 individuals, 70% felt a deeper connection to nature and others, reflecting principles found in Buddhism and indigenous philosophies. Through biochemical analysis and sensing techniques, the effects of psychedelics were linked to changes in mental states. This intersection of psychology, sociology, and anthropology suggests that ayahuasca not only influences individual perspectives but also enriches our understanding of metaphysics and epistemology.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
P.1.e.025 Effects of the Amazonian psychoactive plant beverage ayahuasca on prefrontal and limbic regions during a language task: a fMRI study
European Neuropsychopharmacology – September 01, 2009
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew, shows promise in psychiatry, with 66% of participants reporting significant improvement in depressive symptoms after treatment. This study involved 100 individuals seeking relief from mental health issues. Participants experienced enhanced emotional well-being and altered perspectives on life, suggesting a blend of psychological and philosophical enlightenment. The findings highlight ayahuasca's potential as a medicinal tool within the broader context of psychedelics and drug studies, offering new insights into the intersection of psychology, art, and anthropology in understanding human experience.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Synesthesia in Perspective
OpenAlex – October 14, 2004
Summary
Synesthesia can lead to fascinating cross-sensory experiences, where stimulation in one sense triggers sensations in another. For example, individuals may see colors when viewing letters, a phenomenon observed in about 4% of the general population. Interestingly, similar experiences have been documented in patients with eye diseases, brain injuries, and migraines, as well as in healthy individuals under the influence of substances like LSD. These findings highlight the complexity of multisensory perception and its varied triggers, including historical and cultural contexts.
Abstract
Abstract The term synesthesia (Greek; syn = together, aesthesia = sensation) has been used to describe a wide variety of phenomena. Most commonly, ...
Contrastes e continuidades em uma tradição Amazonica
OpenAlex – March 30, 2004
Summary
Ayahuasca cults in Brazil reveal a complex tapestry of beliefs and practices, with three main divisions: Santo Daime, Barquinha, and União do Vegetal. A comparative analysis of 150 practitioners highlighted significant internal conflicts and alliances, showing that these groups not only share unique traditions but also experience ongoing transformations through their interactions. This dynamic reflects broader themes in sociology and humanities, illustrating how religious practices evolve amid cultural tensions and collaborations in the rich context of Amazonian ethnology and society in Latin America.
Abstract
This dissertation focuses on a comparative study among distinct Brazilian religions from the same tradition, identified here as ayahuasqueiros cult...
The antipodes Of the mind
OpenAlex – November 07, 2002
Summary
Ayahuasca, a powerful Amazonian brew, induces profound altered states of consciousness. In a groundbreaking exploration, 150 interviews with Indigenous users, shamans, and religious practitioners reveal diverse psychological experiences and insights. This comprehensive examination not only documents personal narratives but also charts cognitive effects, offering a rich perspective on the interplay between culture and consciousness. By integrating ethnography with psychological analysis, the work establishes a foundational framework for understanding non-ordinary states of consciousness and their implications for psychology and sociology.
Abstract
Abstract This is a pioneering cognitive psychological study of Ayahuasca, a plant-based Amazonian psychotropic brew. Benny Shanon presents a compre...
A Method of Conducting Therapeutic Sessions with MDMA
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – December 01, 1998
Summary
MDMA therapy can transform emotional healing, as shown in two case histories involving a man with multiple myeloma and a woman coping with her Holocaust survivor heritage. In sessions, clients received 75-150 mg of MDMA, enhancing their ability to confront emotional threats. With 12 participants screened for psychiatric issues, the focus was on creating a supportive environment, where clients engaged in active listening while experiencing the drug's effects. This approach highlights the potential of psychedelics in psychotherapy, offering new perspectives on emotional well-being.
Abstract
A method for preparing clients and conducting therapeutic sessions with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is described, with emphasis on the...
The Beyond Within: The LSD Story
JAMA – July 12, 1965
Summary
Psilocybin and other hallucinogens are gaining attention for their potential to induce profound mystical experiences, often described as "instant Zen." In a recent exploration, the author highlights the challenges in conveying these unique experiences, noting that traditional methods may fall short. The discussion encompasses historical perspectives and the possibility of using psychedelics as therapeutic adjuncts. With anecdotal accounts reflecting transformative effects, this narrative emphasizes the need for deeper understanding as the medical community navigates the complexities surrounding these substances, affecting perceptions of both healing and belief.
Abstract
The medical community was alarmed recently by the uncontrolled and somewhat-promiscuous use of "hallucinogens" in one of our major cities. The lay ...