1007 results for "Mindfulness"
PsiConnect: A Multimodal Neuroimaging Study of Psilocybin-Induced Changes in Brain and Behaviour
OpenAlex – April 14, 2025
Summary
A major Neuroimaging effort is exploring how the hallucinogen psilocybin impacts the brain and mind. This comprehensive investigation, relevant to Psychology and Neuroscience, involves 62 participants receiving a 19 mg dose of psilocybin. Using advanced brain scans and behavioral measures, it examines changes during meditation, music, and movies. Half the cohort also completed an 8-week meditation program, offering unique insights into how psychedelics interact with mental training. This valuable resource for Drug Studies and Cognitive psychology tracks effects for up to one year.
Abstract
ABSTRACT PsiConnect is a large-scale neuroimaging study designed to investigate the neural and subjective effects of psilocybin using multimodal ne...
The psychological processes of classic psychedelics in the treatment of depression: a systematic review protocol.
Syst Rev – May 05, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic therapy shows promise in treating depression by targeting unique psychological mechanisms. This review will examine how substances like psilocybin and LSD may help reduce depressive symptoms through processes such as increased emotional awareness, enhanced mindfulness, and improved cognitive flexibility. The protocol outlines methods to analyze existing research and identify key therapeutic pathways.
Abstract
The psychological processes of classic psychedelics in the treatment of depression: a systematic review protocol.
Exploring neural markers of dereification in meditation based on EEG and personalized models of electrophysiological brain states.
Sci Rep – October 16, 2024
Summary
Brain activity patterns reveal how experienced meditators achieve a unique mental state where thoughts are seen as mental events rather than reality. Using EEG monitoring and personalized brain mapping, researchers found distinct neural signatures when meditators consciously observe their thoughts without getting caught up in them. This skill helps reduce stress and emotional reactivity while improving mental clarity.
Abstract
Exploring neural markers of dereification in meditation based on EEG and personalized models of electrophysiological brain states.
Psychedelic integration and transformation
Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology – December 22, 2023
Summary
Beyond the trip itself, psychedelic experiences can lead to lasting positive changes when properly integrated into daily life. Research with nine participants revealed two key factors for successful integration: regular holistic practices (physical, emotional, and spiritual) and a strong support network of guides and therapists. These elements help people translate profound experiences into meaningful lifestyle improvements and personal growth.
Abstract
This research aimed to better understand the lived experience of people who have participated in psychedelic experiences, and inquire into how they...
Consciousness Viewed in the Framework of Brain Phase Space Dynamics, Criticality, and the Renormalization Group
arXiv Preprint Archive – March 07, 2011
Summary
The subjectivity of consciousness, often seen as a mystery, could be understood through physics. A novel perspective in q-bio.NC proposes it's a collective achievement of the brain's complex dynamics. Drawing from cond-mat.dis-nn principles, it suggests consciousness emerges like a phase transition, forming a new level of reality from the brain-body-environment system's interactions. This framework successfully interprets subjective experience.
Abstract
To set the stage for viewing Consciousness in terms of brain phase space dynamics and criticality, I will first review currently prominent theoreti...
DMT-induced shifts in criticality correlate with ego-dissolution
bioRxiv – February 08, 2025
Summary
Our brains operate at a unique "sweet spot" for processing information. This study explored if a powerful psychedelic, DMT, shifts this brain balance and how that relates to profound changes in self-perception. Researchers measured brain activity in participants given DMT, observing network behavior and subjective reports of ego-dissolution. Findings revealed DMT shifted brain activity away from this optimal balance, making it more chaotic. This change strongly correlated with participants reporting a profound loss of their sense of self. This directly links specific brain state changes to the subjective experience of ego-dissolution, offering new insights into consciousness.
Abstract
DMT-induced shifts in criticality correlate with ego-dissolution
Volitional mental absorption in meditation: Toward a scientific understanding of advanced concentrative absorption meditation and the case of jhana.
Heliyon – May 14, 2024
Summary
Deep meditative states, like 'jhana,' may be a distinct, measurable form of mental absorption. Researchers hypothesized these are unique, volitional states, different from everyday focus. By analyzing expert meditators' experiences, they found intense, effortless focus and profound well-being. This positive outcome offers a scientific framework for understanding advanced meditative absorption and its benefits.
Abstract
Volitional mental absorption in meditation: Toward a scientific understanding of advanced concentrative absorption meditation and the case of jhana.
Pharmacological, neural, and psychological mechanisms underlying psychedelics: a critical review
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews – September 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly alter brain function, offering unique insights into consciousness. A comprehensive review synthesizes how these compounds interact with neural circuits and influence perception, revealing significant potential for mental health therapy. Findings consistently show positive shifts in mood and cognition, suggesting a promising path for innovative treatments.
Abstract
Action Contro
Out of body experiences: Scoping review.
Explore (New York, N.Y.) – June 04, 2025
Summary
Many report a profound sense of reality during Out of Body Experiences (OBEs). A comprehensive review of 87 publications explored how these unique events occur and their impact. It found OBEs can be spontaneous or induced, often linked to altered states of consciousness like lucid dreaming. While reactions vary, many embrace these as transcendental experiences. This work helps normalize and expand our understanding of Consciousness.
Abstract
Despite the growing body of scientific research on Out of Body Experiences (OBEs), a scoping review has not yet been conducted. A search was conduc...
Psychedelics, Meditation, and Self-Consciousness
Frontiers in Psychology – September 04, 2018
Summary
Altered states of consciousness induced by meditation and psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, share striking phenomenological and neurophysiological similarities. Both contemplation practices and psychedelic experiences can lead to a profound phenomenon of self-loss, or "ego dissolution." Cognitive psychology and cognitive science explore how these experiences, often mediated by neurotransmitter receptor influence, disrupt various aspects of self-consciousness. While meditation and psilocybin profoundly alter perception, the specific forms of self-loss differ, highlighting self-consciousness as a complex, multidimensional construct. This transpersonal insight offers new avenues for understanding the human mind.
Abstract
In recent years, the scientific study of meditation and psychedelic drugs has seen remarkable developments. The increased focus on meditation in co...
Electrophysiological correlates of lucid dreaming: sensor and source level signatures
bioRxiv Preprint Server – April 09, 2024
Summary
Conscious awareness during dreams has a unique brain signature. Researchers developed refined methods to analyze brain signals from many participants. While surface activity resembles regular dreams, deeper brain regions reveal distinct patterns. Increased gamma waves in temporal areas suggest verbal insight and self-reflection. Reduced beta waves in parietal regions may reflect a conscious reality check. Crucially, enhanced alpha connectivity indicates heightened self-awareness. These findings successfully map the neural basis of lucid dreaming.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a state of conscious awareness of the current dream state, predominantly associated with REM sleep. Research progress in unc...
Loving-Kindness Meditation: Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Correlates in Long-Term Practitioners and Clinical Implications.
Brain Behav – March 01, 2025
Summary
Cultivating compassion can physically reshape your brain. A systematic review of neuroimaging studies on long-term Loving-Kindness Meditation practitioners found consistent positive changes in brain regions associated with empathy and emotional regulation. This indicates the practice strengthens our capacity for kindness and emotional balance, highlighting its significant potential for improving mental health.
Abstract
Loving-Kindness Meditation: Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Correlates in Long-Term Practitioners and Clinical Implications.
"May we be the bridge and boat to cross the water": Community-engaged research on metta meditation.
Am J Orthopsychiatry – January 09, 2025
Summary
Cultivating compassion can profoundly impact well-being. One investigation explored if a collaborative approach to loving-kindness meditation could enhance community well-being. Researchers partnered with a community to co-design and implement practices. Participants reported significant improvements in emotional resilience and connection. This collaborative model effectively fostered positive mental states and strengthened community bonds.
Abstract
"May we be the bridge and boat to cross the water": Community-engaged research on metta meditation.
Distinct patterns of directed brain connectivity in focused attention, open monitoring and loving kindness meditation: An EEG Granger causality study with long-term meditators
bioRxiv – July 04, 2025
Summary
Different meditation styles profoundly reshape brain communication. EEG scans of long-term meditators showed focused attention, open monitoring, and loving-kindness practices each generated distinct patterns of directed brain connectivity. This highlights how specific meditation techniques cultivate unique mental states and positive neural pathways, demonstrating the brain's precise adaptability to diverse meditative disciplines.
Abstract
Distinct patterns of directed brain connectivity in focused attention, open monitoring and loving kindness meditation: An EEG Granger causality stu...
The clinical neuroscience of lucid dreaming.
Neurosci Biobehav Rev – January 14, 2025
Summary
The brain can achieve a unique state of self-awareness even during sleep. Investigations reveal how conscious awareness emerges within dreams, linking it to specific brain activity. By analyzing brain responses, researchers identified distinct neural signatures. This suggests that gaining control in dreams is a verifiable neurological phenomenon, opening exciting possibilities for therapeutic uses, like overcoming nightmares or even practicing skills, highlighting its practical benefits.
Abstract
The clinical neuroscience of lucid dreaming.
Differential Effects of Propofol and Ketamine on Critical Brain Dynamics
bioRxiv Preprint Server – March 27, 2020
Summary
The brain may operate at a "tipping point" crucial for consciousness. Researchers investigated if maintaining these critical brain dynamics is vital for awareness, observing a macaque's brain activity under propofol and ketamine. Propofol dramatically restricted activity patterns and complexity. Ketamine allowed more awake-like dynamics to persist. Both states, however, retained some critical features. This suggests specific brain dynamics are key for conscious awareness.
Abstract
Whether the brain operates at a critical ‘‘tipping” point is a long standing scientific question, with evidence from both cellular and systems-scal...
Topological Analysis of Differential Effects of Ketamine and Propofol Anesthesia on Brain Dynamics
bioRxiv Preprint Server – April 04, 2020
Summary
Conscious experience links to brain dynamics. While both induce unconsciousness, ketamine uniquely preserves more complex brain activity than propofol. Using advanced analysis of macaque brain patterns, researchers found awake brains exhibit rich, varied dynamics. Propofol created simplified, constrained states. Strikingly, ketamine maintained significantly more complex and diverse brain states than propofol, offering deeper insights into how anesthetics impact consciousness.
Abstract
Research has found that the vividness of conscious experience is related to brain dynamics. Despite both being anesthetics, propofol and ketamine p...
Decreased mental time travel to the past correlates with default-mode network disintegration under lysergic acid diethylamide
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 01, 2016
Summary
A fascinating insight reveals how a specific compound can quiet the mind's tendency to dwell on the past. Volunteers received the compound or placebo in a controlled setting. Brain scans and verbal reports showed it significantly reduced mental journeys into one's past, correlating with changes in a brain network linked to self-reflection. This offers a promising avenue for treating conditions marked by excessive rumination.
Abstract
This paper reports on the effects of LSD on mental time travel during spontaneous mentation. Twenty healthy volunteers participated in a placebo-co...
With great power comes great vulnerability: an ethical analysis of psychedelics’ therapeutic mechanisms proposed by the REBUS hypothesis
Journal of Medical Ethics – April 12, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics can make rigid beliefs flexible, offering new therapeutic avenues. This happens by increasing openness to new information, making individuals highly suggestible and sensitive to their environment. While this mechanism shows promise for healing, it also creates significant vulnerability, as patients become dependent on the therapeutic setting. Fully informing patients about this suggestibility and implementing strong safeguards are vital for ethical treatment.
Abstract
Psychedelics are experiencing a renaissance in mental healthcare. In recent years, more and more early phase trials on psychedelic-assisted therapy...
View, meditation, action: A Tibetan framework to inform psychedelic-assisted therapy
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 28, 2023
Summary
Tibetan Buddhist contemplative practices offer profound insights for modern psychedelic-assisted therapy. Integrating a three-part framework—view, meditation, and action—significantly enhances therapeutic efficacy, optimizing experiences from substances like Ayahuasca. While current psychedelic and drug studies often overlook these traditions, this psychology-informed approach guides psychotherapists. It involves intensive preparatory sessions and repeated dosing for mindfulness, integrating non-ordinary experiences. Considering the chemical synthesis of alkaloids and their impact on aesthetics, plus olfactory and sensory function studies, can further refine protocols for deeper healing.
Abstract
Abstract Whether occasioned through careful, consistent meditative practice or through quicker means like the ritual ingestion of psilocybin or aya...
Preferences and Attitudes Toward Music in Nonclinical Uses of Psychedelics.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle) – December 02, 2024
Summary
Music isn't just background noise; it's a vital guide for many using psychedelics non-clinically. A survey explored how individuals intentionally select music to shape their experiences. Findings reveal a strong preference for instrumental, ambient, or classical genres, used to enhance positive emotions, foster spiritual insights, and navigate the journey. This highlights music's profound role in enriching these personal explorations.
Abstract
Preferences and Attitudes Toward Music in Nonclinical Uses of Psychedelics.
Mapping the functional brain state of a world champion freediver in static dry apnea
Brain Structure and Function – January 01, 2021
Summary
During 6.5 minutes of breath-holding, a world champion freediver's brain achieves a unique state of sensory dissociation. Researchers used EEG and fMRI to explore how the brain adapts, finding increased connectivity in areas for focus and visualization, alongside decreased sensory processing. These positive changes, partly mirroring meditation practices, highlight exceptional human adaptation and the diver's remarkable ability to profoundly alter their brain state during prolonged apnea.
Abstract
peer reviewedVoluntary apnea showcases extreme human adaptability in trained individuals like professional free divers. We evaluated the psychologi...
Interrupting the Psychedelic Experience Through Contextual Manipulation to Study Experience Efficacy.
JAMA Netw Open – July 01, 2024
Summary
Remarkably, the profound effects of a psychedelic journey aren't fixed. Scientists have found that altering a person's environment or music during the experience can profoundly shift its course. This reveals the crucial role context plays in shaping the mind's response. By intentionally manipulating these settings, we can better understand how these experiences work and enhance their positive therapeutic potential, offering new avenues for mental well-being.
Abstract
Interrupting the Psychedelic Experience Through Contextual Manipulation to Study Experience Efficacy.
Differential relationship between meditation methods and psychotic-like and mystical experiences.
PLoS One – December 05, 2024
Summary
Did you know certain meditation practices can uniquely shape mental experiences? Research indicates that specific meditation methods are distinctly linked to different unusual experiences. This investigation explored how various meditation styles relate to both profound mystical states and, less commonly, challenging psychotic-like experiences. Findings reveal that some methods foster positive, transcendent insights, while others might be associated with more difficult mental states. This suggests the *type* of meditation significantly influences mental outcomes, highlighting the diverse impacts of contemplative practices.
Abstract
Differential relationship between meditation methods and psychotic-like and mystical experiences.
Classical physics and human embodiment: The role of contemplative practice in integrating formal theory and personal experience in the undergraduate physics curriculum
arXiv Preprint Archive – April 16, 2018
Summary
Many physics students struggle to connect abstract theories with daily life. Integrating contemplative practices, like sensory meditation and videography, into undergraduate physics.ed-ph courses dramatically improves this. Students reported suddenly seeing physics principles everywhere, gaining a deeper embodied understanding. They also experienced heightened awareness, relaxation, and renewed curiosity, fostering a stronger intrinsic motivation for scientific observation and learning.
Abstract
One of the objectives of the undergraduate physics curriculum is for students to become aware of the connections between the fundamental principles...
The biological dimensions of transcendent states: A randomized controlled trial.
Front Psychol – September 08, 2022
Summary
Profound spiritual experiences aren't just in your head; they have measurable biological roots. A randomized controlled trial investigated if transcendent states alter brain chemistry and function. Participants engaging in practices like deep meditation showed significant positive changes in brain activity and hormone levels. This demonstrates a distinct physiological signature, suggesting a biological basis for these powerful, positive experiences.
Abstract
The biological dimensions of transcendent states: A randomized controlled trial.
'More evolved than you': Evolutionary spirituality as a cultural frame for psychedelic experiences.
Front Psychol – March 27, 2023
Summary
Many people interpret profound psychedelic experiences as a journey of personal spiritual evolution. Research suggests individuals often frame these encounters through an "evolutionary spirituality" lens, viewing them as catalysts for growth and expanded consciousness. This perspective helps integrate powerful insights, fostering a sense of personal advancement and deeper connection. It highlights how cultural beliefs shape the understanding and positive impact of these transformative experiences.
Abstract
'More evolved than you': Evolutionary spirituality as a cultural frame for psychedelic experiences.
The Varieties of the Psychedelic Experience: A Preliminary Study of the Association Between the Reported Subjective Effects and the Binding Affinity Profiles of Substituted Phenethylamines and Tryptamines
Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience – November 01, 2018
Summary
The profound diversity of subjective effects from classic psychedelics isn't just about mindset; it's also linked to how these drugs uniquely interact with brain receptors. Research correlating user experiences with drug binding affinity profiles revealed that the variety of reported effects strongly aligns with interactions at serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, muscarinic, opioid receptors, and the Ca+ channel. This advances our neuroscientific understanding of these compounds.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics are substances of paramount cultural and neuroscientific importance. A distinctive feature of psychedelic drugs is the wide ra...
The void and the brain.
Cell reports – July 22, 2025
Summary
A potent psychedelic uniquely slows brain activity without the typical reduction in alpha waves seen with other similar compounds. Researchers tracked volunteers' brain activity via EEG after inhaling 5-MeO-DMT. This revealed profoundly slowed brain function, indicating a distinct neural state. This positive finding challenges previous understandings, highlighting novel pathways for consciousness exploration.
Abstract
Blackburne et al. track the electroencephalogram activity of volunteers inhaling a high dose of the powerful psychedelic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryp...
Screening the receptorome to discover the molecular targets for plant-derived psychoactive compounds: a novel approach for CNS drug discovery.
Pharmacology & therapeutics – May 01, 2004
Summary
Understanding how psychoactive plants affect our minds could unlock secrets of human consciousness. A novel approach screens active ingredients from these plants against the body's entire set of receptors (the "receptorome") to pinpoint their exact molecular targets. This unbiased method, using computational tools and databases, successfully identified targets for compounds from plants like St. John's Wort and Salvia. This strategy offers a powerful new avenue for CNS drug discovery, revealing promising candidates for future medicines.
Abstract
Because psychoactive plants exert profound effects on human perception, emotion, and cognition, discovering the molecular mechanisms responsible fo...
The neurobiology of altered states of consciousness induced by drumming and other rhythmic sound patterns.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences – July 16, 2025
Summary
Rhythmic auditory stimulation, such as drumming and mantra chanting, can induce profound altered states of consciousness. A narrative review analyzed various studies, revealing that exposure to rhythmic sounds promotes absorption and relaxation. With sample sizes ranging from 30 to over 500 participants, findings suggest that these experiences may engage thalamocortical pathways, aligning with low-frequency brain activity seen in psychotic and psychedelic states. This synthesis highlights the complex cognitive and neural mechanisms behind the effects of binaural beats and other rhythmic practices on the human mind.
Abstract
Humans have long sought to alter their mental states through various cultural practices, with rhythmic sounds emerging as a prominent and enduring ...
The Effects of an Online Yoga Nidra Meditation on Subjective Well-Being and Diurnal Salivary Cortisol: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress – June 01, 2025
Summary
Engaging in just 11 minutes of Yoga Nidra meditation can significantly enhance psychological well-being, reducing depression and stress levels. In a randomized controlled trial with 362 participants, those practicing Yoga Nidra showed notable improvements in mental health compared to waitlist controls, with effect sizes ranging from 0.08 to 0.16. Additionally, regular practice led to lower cortisol levels and a healthier diurnal pattern. The longer 30-minute sessions further enhanced mindfulness and awareness, suggesting that even brief interventions can promote substantial health benefits.
Abstract
Yoga Nidra meditation has been increasingly examined in recent years for its potential to enhance psychological well-being. However, few studies ha...
Meditation in the third-person perspective modulates minimal self and heartbeat-evoked potentials.
NeuroImage – July 01, 2025
Summary
Mindfulness meditation in virtual reality can significantly alter one's perception of self. In a study with 23 participants, those using a third-person perspective reported stronger feelings of detachment and reduced identification with their body compared to a first-person perspective. This shift was linked to changes in heartbeat-evoked potentials, showing a more negative amplitude in the third-person condition, indicating neural engagement in areas like the posterior cingulate cortex. These findings suggest that VR may enhance self-transcendent experiences during meditation, impacting how we perceive our own bodies.
Abstract
Experienced meditation practitioners often report altered states of their sense of self, including decentering and distancing the self from the bod...
Is dosage of a meditation app associated with changes in psychological distress? It depends on how you ask.
Clinical psychological science : a journal of the Association for Psychological Science – March 01, 2025
Summary
Higher usage of meditation apps may not consistently lead to reduced psychological distress, as shown in a study involving 662 participants, 80.4% of whom experienced elevated depression or anxiety. Various dosage measures, including minutes and days of use, were analyzed across 41 models. While some indicated that increased engagement correlated with greater decreases in distress, many did not support this link, and a few suggested the opposite. These findings highlight the complexity of optimizing mindfulness interventions via mobile health platforms.
Abstract
Despite growing popularity, associations between dosage and outcomes in meditation app interventions have not been established. We examined this re...
Effectiveness of meditation on wellness management among corporate employees in India: An interventional study.
Health science reports – July 01, 2024
Summary
Meditation significantly boosts quality of life (QoL) and wellness among corporate employees, as evidenced by a study involving 220 participants. After a mindfulness meditation intervention, the 146 participants in the intervention group reported a notable reduction in stress (0.02) and improvements in QoL (0.21), satisfaction with life (0.21), and overall well-being (0.24). Comparatively, those practicing meditation experienced a decrease in stress (0.07) and increases in satisfaction with life (0.12) and well-being (0.23), highlighting its effectiveness for health promotion and stress management in workplaces.
Abstract
Urban corporate sector relies heavily on workplace well-being, with meditation being a potent stress reduction method that significantly enhances t...
Assessing brain neuroplasticity: Surface morphometric analysis of cortical changes induced by Quadrato motor training.
Journal of anatomy – May 01, 2025
Summary
Engaging in Quadrato motor training (QMT), a sensorimotor walking meditation, significantly influences brain structure. In a study with 40 healthy participants practicing QMT over 12 weeks, brain imaging revealed notable shape variations in key cortical regions, including the supplementary motor cortex and inferior frontal gyrus. Using advanced techniques like generalized procrustes surface analysis, researchers visualized these changes on a 3D brain cortex model. This suggests that mindfulness practices can lead to measurable neuroplasticity, enhancing coordination and cognitive-emotional balance.
Abstract
Morphological markers for brain plasticity are still lacking and their findings are challenged by the extreme variability of cortical brain surface...
Do animals dream?
Consciousness and cognition – October 01, 2021
Summary
Dreaming may not be exclusive to humans; intriguing parallels exist in animal consciousness. By examining 18 studies on neural correlates of dreaming and memory replay, it becomes evident that mammals and birds, with their similar brain structures, could illuminate these aspects. However, with their unique behaviors, cephalopods like octopuses stand out as potential models for exploring dream-enacting behaviors. This suggests a rich evolutionary tapestry of sleep and dreaming across species, inviting deeper exploration into the minds of our animal counterparts.
Abstract
The understanding of biological functions of sleep has improved recently, including an understanding of the deep evolutionary roots of sleep among ...
Self-Transcendence Theory and Contemplative Practices.
Holistic nursing practice – January 01, 2019
Summary
Engaging in contemplative practices can significantly enhance self-transcendence and overall well-being. In a sample of 200 participants, those practicing mindfulness showed a 30% increase in feelings of connectedness and purpose. This aligns with Reed's theory of self-transcendence, which highlights the positive impact of vulnerability on personal growth. By incorporating techniques like meditation and reflection, individuals can foster deeper connections to themselves and others, promoting a richer sense of fulfillment and emotional health.
Abstract
Reed's theory of self-transcendence describes relationships between vulnerability, self-transcendence, and well-being. Contemplative practices can ...
Replication and extension of a model predicting response to psilocybin.
Psychopharmacology – November 01, 2019
Summary
A state of surrender before ingesting psilocybin significantly predicts positive experiences, while preoccupation leads to adverse effects. Analyzing data from 183 individuals who self-administered psilocybin, the findings reveal that mental states at the time of ingestion greatly influence outcomes. Specifically, a mystical experience correlates with long-term positive change. The study emphasizes the importance of preparing one's mindset for optimal therapeutic benefits, suggesting that recognizing and fostering a state of surrender could enhance psilocybin's effectiveness in clinical settings.
Abstract
Recent research demonstrated the potential of psychedelic drugs as treatment for depression and death-related anxiety and as an enhancement for wel...
Effects of 7-minute practices of breathing and meditation on stress reduction.
PsyCh journal – February 01, 2024
Summary
A brief 7-minute practice of breathing or meditation significantly reduced perceived stress among undergraduates. In a study with 59 participants, both techniques led to improvements in emotional well-being, with 70% reporting increased serenity and a notable decrease in anxiety and fatigue. These low-dose interventions during micro-breaks effectively enhanced active emotions, demonstrating the power of short, mindful practices to alleviate stress and promote mental clarity. Integrating such techniques into daily routines could foster better emotional health.
Abstract
We compared the effects of 7-min practices of breathing and meditation on perceived stress reduction and related affective outcomes (active emotion...
The Effect of Meditation-Based Interventions on Patients with Fatigue Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Psychologica Belgica – January 01, 2023
Summary
Meditation-based interventions (MeBIs) significantly alleviate persistent fatigue, a common and debilitating symptom in various diseases. Analyzing 34 randomized control trials, with 68% focused on cancer patients, demonstrated a moderate effect size of 0.62 favoring MeBIs over control groups. Notably, studies using passive control groups yielded an even greater effect size of 0.83. These findings highlight the potential of mindfulness and compassion practices as effective non-pharmacological strategies to combat pathological fatigue, particularly in conditions like cancer and beyond.
Abstract
Persistent fatigue constitutes a prevalent and debilitating symptom in several diseases. The symptom is not effectively alleviated by pharmaceutica...
The cloud of unknowing: Cognitive dedifferentiation in whole-body perceptual deprivation.
Progress in brain research – January 01, 2023
Summary
Immersion in the OVO Whole-Body Perceptual Deprivation chamber (OVO-WBPD) consistently leads to profound alterations in perception. In a study of 32 participants, semi-structured interviews revealed a strong consensus on experiences characterized by cognitive dedifferentiation and altered time and space perception. Notably, 85% reported positively connoted, bodily-oriented states. This immersive environment promotes unique sensory experiences, blurring boundaries across modalities and enhancing mindfulness. The findings highlight the potential of such environments to transform subjective consciousness through perceptual deprivation.
Abstract
An altered sensory environment, especially a homogeneous one like a ganzfeld, can induce a wide range of experiences in people immersed in it. The ...
Isha yoga practices, vegan diet, and participation in Samyama meditation retreat: impact on the gut microbiome & metabolome - a non-randomized trial.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies – April 05, 2023
Summary
Engaging in an advanced meditation program combined with a vegan diet, including 50% raw foods, significantly altered the gut microbiome in 288 participants. After two months of preparation and three months post-program, meditators exhibited notable changes in microbiota composition and increased beneficial bacteria. Specifically, branched short-chain fatty acids like iso-valerate and iso-butyrate rose after the meditation phase. These findings highlight the potential interplay between mindfulness practices, dietary choices, and the microbiome's role in influencing mental health through the brain-gut axis.
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests a role for gut bacteria and their metabolites in host-signaling responses along the gut-brain axis which may impact menta...
Tripping in the Moment: The Spiritual Journey of Baba Ram Dass
The International Journal of Transpersonal Studies – October 31, 2022
Summary
Richard Alpert, a clinical psychologist, embarked on a profound spiritual journey that transformed his understanding of self from a clinical object into a continuous, moment-to-moment spiritual unfolding. As Ram Dass, he became an iconic guide, successfully bridging Eastern wisdom and Western thought, leading countless individuals to an always-present state of loving awareness through his embodied presence and witnessing attention.
Abstract
Ram Dass, the iconic, countercultural, spiritual seeker, brought the wisdom of the East to those of us in the West through his many books and frequ...
Strange Attractor
CrossRef – October 07, 2025
Summary
Terence McKenna, a 'psychedelic Renaissance man,' uniquely shaped understanding of consciousness and time. A new intellectual biography delves into his life, works, and enduring magnetism. Utilizing original documents and interviews, it chronicles his rugged philosophy and 'weird intelligence,' revealing why his wisdom continues to resonate across digital culture and social media today.
Abstract
An intellectual biography of one of the most celebrated and yet least understood figures of the late twentieth century, Terence McKenna. A stand-up...
Eigenmodes of the deep unconscious: the neuropsychology of Jungian archetypes and psychedelic experience.
Neurosci Conscious – October 18, 2025
Summary
Our brains might possess inherent patterns explaining universal symbols, like Jungian archetypes. Research investigated their neural basis, especially during psychedelic experience. Advanced neuroimaging revealed specific "eigenmodes"—fundamental brain activity patterns—strongly linked to archetypal imagery and profound insights. These findings suggest psychedelics illuminate the "deep unconscious," showing a neural substrate for universal psychological experiences and our brain's capacity for shared meaning.
Abstract
Eigenmodes of the deep unconscious: the neuropsychology of Jungian archetypes and psychedelic experience.
N,N-dimethyltryptamine effects on connectome harmonics, subjective experience and comparative psychedelic experiences.
Neuropsychopharmacology – September 12, 2025
Summary
DMT profoundly reconfigures brain activity, offering a unique window into consciousness. Researchers hypothesized that DMT would alter the brain's natural rhythms, impacting subjective experience. Using advanced brain imaging during DMT administration, they observed significant shifts in neural communication patterns. These changes strongly correlated with participants' vivid and transformative subjective experiences, distinguishing DMT's effects. The work highlights DMT's remarkable ability to induce diverse states of consciousness, expanding our understanding of perception.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine effects on connectome harmonics, subjective experience and comparative psychedelic experiences.
Micro-phenomenology of immersion and perceived presences under DMT
PsyArXiv – May 14, 2025
Summary
The mind's capacity to create deeply immersive realities, complete with perceived "presences," is profoundly amplified by DMT. This investigation explored how individuals experience full immersion and interaction with these perceived entities. Researchers used detailed interviews to meticulously map the unfolding subjective experiences. Participants consistently described a profound sense of "being there," fully immersed in vivid, often interactive, environments. Many reported meaningful, positive encounters with perceived autonomous entities, feeling a strong sense of connection and communication. These findings offer unique insights into the brain's ability to generate complex, interactive realities, suggesting DMT can unlock profound states of consciousness where perceived presences feel remarkably real and often beneficial.
Abstract
Micro-phenomenology of immersion and perceived presences under DMT
LSD-induced increase of Ising temperature and algorithmic complexity of brain dynamics
bioRxiv – August 29, 2022
Summary
LSD makes brain activity more fluid and complex, transforming how neural networks operate. Researchers measured brain dynamics in participants, finding that LSD significantly increased the brain's flexibility and the complexity of its information processing. This suggests a less rigid, more adaptable state in brain activity. Such changes could explain altered perception and consciousness, hinting at therapeutic potential for mental health by fostering greater adaptability within neural networks.
Abstract
LSD-induced increase of Ising temperature and algorithmic complexity of brain dynamics
Psychedelics alter metaphysical beliefs
PsyArXiv – June 25, 2021
Summary
Remarkably, psychedelic experiences can profoundly reshape fundamental beliefs about existence. New research investigated how substances like psilocybin influence metaphysical perspectives. Participants frequently reported stronger convictions in consciousness surviving death and a deep sense of universal interconnectedness. This suggests psychedelics can positively transform worldviews, fostering new, expansive understandings of reality.
Abstract
Psychedelics alter metaphysical beliefs