329 results for "Phenomenology"
Phenomenological memory characteristics and impact of near-death experience in critically ill survivors: Observations at discharge and after a 1-year follow-up.
International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP – January 01, 2024
Summary
Fifteen percent of ICU survivors reported near-death experiences (NDE), highlighting a significant aspect of critical illness recovery. In a study involving 126 adult patients, 19 experienced NDEs characterized by altered time perception and heightened senses. One year later, 18% of those with NDEs and 24% without reported reduced fear of death. These findings underscore the lasting impact of memory related to life-threatening situations, suggesting that exploring these experiences can be clinically valuable for all ICU patients.
Abstract
It is not rare that intensive care unit (ICU) patients report unusual subjective experiences, ranging from a feeling of harmony with the environmen...
Perceived key change phenomena of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of severe PTSD: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of clinical integration sessions.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2023
Summary
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy shows potential for treating PTSD, with participants reporting transformative experiences. In a study involving 7 individuals with severe PTSD, qualitative analyses of recorded therapy sessions revealed that patients felt significant changes in their daily lives due to the treatment. Participants articulated key mechanisms of change, emphasizing emotional release and enhanced self-awareness. These insights complement quantitative findings from prior trials, highlighting how psychedelics like MDMA can enhance psychotherapy effectiveness and offering hope for better therapeutic options for those struggling with PTSD.
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent psychiatric condition that significantly impacts daily functioning in patients but lacks adequ...
Near-death experiences and the change of worldview in survivors of sudden cardiac arrest: A phenomenological and hermeneutical study.
Qualitative research in medicine & healthcare – December 31, 2022
Summary
Near-death experiences (NDEs) can profoundly alter perceptions of life and death. Interviews with four individuals who experienced NDEs after sudden cardiac arrests revealed that 100% felt they entered another dimension, describing their encounters as distinctly real rather than dreamlike. Participants reported existing in a non-physical state, leading to a significant shift in their worldview; 75% emphasized that death transformed from an end into a passage. These insights illustrate how NDEs can reshape beliefs about existence beyond physical life.
Abstract
Near-death experiences (NDEs) can occur during episodes of unconsciousness from life-threatening conditions, such as sudden cardiac arrests (SCAs)....
Psychedelic therapy: bridging neuroplasticity, phenomenology, and clinical outcomes.
Front Psychiatry – September 01, 2025
Summary
The brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and change is vital for mental well-being. Psychedelic therapy appears to harness this neuroplasticity, facilitating profound shifts in perception and thought. By exploring how these unique subjective experiences link to brain flexibility, positive clinical outcomes emerge. This offers a powerful avenue for improving mental health, promoting lasting therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
Psychedelic therapy: bridging neuroplasticity, phenomenology, and clinical outcomes.
Why psychedelic-assisted therapy studies in eating disorders risk missing the mark on outcomes: a phenomenological psychopathology perspective.
J Eat Disord – September 02, 2025
Summary
Understanding eating disorders solely through observable symptoms may overlook their deepest roots. A recent analysis highlights that current studies on psychedelic therapy for these conditions risk missing crucial insights by not adequately exploring the subjective experience of individuals. It argues that eating disorders profoundly alter a person's sense of self and embodiment. Therefore, traditional outcome measures might fail to capture the transformative shifts in self-perception and body relationship that psychedelic experiences could offer. To truly gauge the effectiveness of these innovative therapies, a shift towards methods that illuminate the lived, first-person experience is essential, promising a more complete picture of healing and personal growth.
Abstract
Why psychedelic-assisted therapy studies in eating disorders risk missing the mark on outcomes: a phenomenological psychopathology perspective.
Correction: Synergistic, multi-level understanding of psychedelics: three systematic reviews and meta-analyses of their pharmacology, neuroimaging and phenomenology.
Transl Psychiatry – November 13, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, psychedelics reshape our conscious experience by subtly altering brain activity. A comprehensive synthesis of studies on their chemical effects, brain imaging, and subjective impact revealed a powerful, interconnected process. It showed how these compounds induce measurable brain changes that underpin profound shifts in perception and mood. This integrated understanding offers valuable insights into consciousness and promising avenues for mental well-being.
Abstract
Correction: Synergistic, multi-level understanding of psychedelics: three systematic reviews and meta-analyses of their pharmacology, neuroimaging ...
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
Mapping the phenomenology of intranasal 5-MeO-DMT in psychedelic-naïve healthy adults.
Sci Rep – November 06, 2025
Summary
A single dose of a potent psychedelic, 5-MeO-DMT, can profoundly alter perception. Researchers aimed to characterize the subjective experiences of healthy adults new to psychedelics, administering controlled doses. Participants consistently reported intense, often positive, experiences, including feelings of unity, ego dissolution, and emotional release. These findings offer valuable insights into the compound's potential for promoting well-being.
Abstract
Mapping the phenomenology of intranasal 5-MeO-DMT in psychedelic-naïve healthy adults.
Neural effects and phenomenology of nondual meditation and 5-MeO-DMT in an expert meditation practitioner
PsyArXiv – September 30, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, an expert meditator's brain activity during deep nondual meditation mirrors certain effects of a powerful psychedelic. Researchers explored the neural and subjective experiences of a seasoned practitioner during meditation and after receiving 5-MeO-DMT. Advanced brain imaging revealed shared patterns of reduced self-referential processing in both conditions, leading to profound states of interconnectedness. This suggests a convergence of paths to altered consciousness, highlighting meditation's powerful capacity to achieve similar positive outcomes.
Abstract
Neural effects and phenomenology of nondual meditation and 5-MeO-DMT in an expert meditation practitioner
A Phenomenological Examination of Psilocybin and its Positive and Persisting Aftereffects
NeuroQuantology – May 24, 2016
Summary
Profound psychological shifts from psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, can last long after consumption. Eight individuals described enduring positive changes, including reduced anxiety and inspired behavioral shifts, suggesting its potential for psychological growth. These insights, central to cognitive psychology, persisted far beyond the drug's immediate effect. This work, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggests psilocybin could enhance psychotherapy techniques, offering new avenues for psychotherapists beyond traditional psychoanalysis for psychological healing.
Abstract
This study is an examination of the positive and persisting psychological and behavioral aftereffects in eight individuals who reported consumption...
Methoxetamine (MXE) – A Phenomenological Study of Experiences Induced by a “Legal High” from the Internet
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – July 01, 2013
Summary
Profound psychological shifts, including identity dissolution often culminating in spiritual experiences, characterize Methoxetamine (MXE) use. This ketamine analogue, sold on the Internet as a "legal high," profoundly alters consciousness. Reports from 33 persons detail effects akin to classic psychedelics and dissociatives, encompassing emotional processes, altered sensory perception, and cognitive malfunction. While users reported positive experiences, fear and anxiety were also common, highlighting its potential for abuse. The observed changes in perception and behavior underscore the significant neurotransmitter receptor influence of such substances.
Abstract
Methoxetamine (MXE), a ketamine analogue, is one of the new "legal highs" sold on the Internet. The aim of this qualitative study was to provide an...
Heaven and Hell—A Phenomenological Study of Recreational Use of 4-HO-MET in Sweden
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – July 01, 2011
Summary
Users of the psychedelic 4-HO-MET describe profound shifts between "heaven" and "hell," yet remain satisfied and curious for more. An analysis of 25 anonymous Swedish experience reports (ages 18-30) explored the psychology of its recreation. These documents revealed drastic changes in cognition and perception, mirroring experiences with classic psychedelics like psilocybin. Strong curiosity drives this behavior, relevant to social psychology and broader psychedelics and drug studies. Understanding the substance's impact on neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior is crucial, a domain also pertinent to forensic toxicology and drug analysis.
Abstract
The psychoactive substance 4-HO-MET (4-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine) with psychedelic qualities is one of many legal so-called Internet drugs...
The intersection of near-death experiences (NDEs) and traumatic brain injury (TBI): neurobiological, phenomenological, and creative implications.
Frontiers in human neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and near-death experiences (NDEs) can surprisingly catalyze profound human creativity. These extreme altered states profoundly impact neurobiology, reconfiguring brain networks to foster heightened artistic expression and significant personality and spiritual changes. Like psychedelic experience, TBI and NDEs demonstrate the brain's immense neuroplasticity. Understanding these transformations, perhaps through neuropharmacological insights into altered brain function, challenges traditional views of pathology. This unveils new frameworks for human potential, showing how extreme conditions can unlock hidden cognitive reservoirs.
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and near-death experiences (NDEs) represent profound disruptions in brain function, often associated with dramatic cha...
A Phenomenological Comparison of LSD and Schizophrenic States
The British Journal of Psychiatry – January 01, 1974
Summary
LSD experiences share striking similarities with those of schizophrenia, revealing an overlap in cognitive and perceptual states. In a sample of 120 participants, no significant differences emerged between LSD users and individuals with schizophrenia on various measures when isolated. However, notable distinctions arose in emotional responses and the presence of delusions among some schizophrenic individuals. This highlights intriguing intersections in psychology, particularly within altered states of consciousness, cognitive psychology, and the neuroscience of perception.
Abstract
The LSD and schizophrenic experiences are similar in more ways than they are different. The states are phenomenologically similar, but the similari...
A phenomenology of subjectively relevant experiences induced by ayahuasca in Upper Amazon vegetalismo tourism
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 29, 2019
Summary
Ayahuasca experiences can evoke deep emotional responses, revealing a complex interplay between pleasant and unpleasant feelings. In a study involving nine foreign tourists at an ayahuasca retreat in Peru, participants reported various themes, including personal preparation, physical symptoms, and cognitive-emotional phenomena. Notably, 67% experienced psychotherapeutic target emotions alongside challenging feelings during sessions. The findings suggest that the ceremonial setting and participants' expectations significantly shape their experiences, influencing perceptions of visionary content and communication with perceived entities.
Abstract
Aims This heuristic study reports observations on the phenomenology of ayahuasca experiences of nine foreign tourist participants of an ayahuasca r...
Experiences of Listening to Icaros during Ayahuasca Ceremonies at Centro Takiwasi:An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis
Anthropology of Consciousness – September 26, 2022
Summary
Listening to icaros, or medicine songs, during ayahuasca ceremonies significantly enhances therapeutic outcomes for addiction rehabilitation patients. In a study involving 50 participants at Perú’s Centro Takiwasi, these songs helped modulate emotions and create a sense of safety, guiding patients through challenging memories. Approximately 80% reported transformative experiences related to healing and understanding their addictions. This highlights the importance of integrating music into psychedelic-assisted therapies, suggesting that future approaches should prioritize this element to maximize therapeutic benefits in altered states of consciousness.
Abstract
Abstract Research on psychedelic‐assisted psychotherapy has shown that music affects therapeutic outcomes at a fundamental level. The development o...
Sense-Making Around Psilocybin in UK Women Experiencing Cancer-Related Existential Distress: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Qualitative Health Research – February 17, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin shows promise as a transformative therapy for cancer patients grappling with anxiety and depression. In interviews with seven women in the UK, four who used psilocybin and three who considered it, significant themes emerged: the need for somatic healing, the burden of psilocybin's illegality, and reconnection with self and nature. Participants viewed psilocybin as a vital alternative to conventional treatments, yet its legal status was seen as a major barrier. Implementing compassionate access could greatly enhance mental health outcomes for this vulnerable group.
Abstract
People with cancer often experience anxiety and depression following a diagnosis and can face barriers to accessing treatment for their mental heal...
Reports of self-compassion and affect regulation in psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder: An interpretive phenomenological analysis.
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors – June 05, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly reshapes self-perception. This chemical synthesis and alkaloid influences neurotransmitter receptors, diminishing shame and self-critical thought patterns. Its role in clinical psychology for alcohol use disorder is significant, improving affect regulation and reducing cravings. Integrating self-compassion, often explored via interpretative phenomenological analysis or randomized controlled trial designs, with psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy could enhance psychological outcomes. This approach in psychiatry and psychedelics and drug studies offers a novel path for compassion-focused therapy.
Abstract
Our results support the assertion that psilocybin increases the malleability of self-related processing, and diminishes shame-based and self-critic...
Looking for the Self: Phenomenology, Neurophysiology and Philosophical Significance of Drug-induced Ego Dissolution
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – May 23, 2017
Summary
High doses of hallucinogens strikingly dissolve the sense of self, a phenomenon, drug-induced ego dissolution. It challenges the psychology of self; consciousness doesn't always require self-awareness. Neuroscience identifies three drug classes inducing this, disrupting the "embodied self" rooted in multimodal sensory function, not just an illusion. Understanding these neural correlates of consciousness informs cognitive psychology and neurophysiology. It offers psychotherapists insights beyond ego depletion or narcissism, impacting cognition and pain management, akin to the placebo effect. This deep dive into the ego provides a unique lens for phenomenology.
Abstract
There is converging evidence that high doses of hallucinogenic drugs can produce significant alterations of self-experience, described as the disso...
Survey of entity encounter experiences occasioned by inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine: Phenomenology, interpretation, and enduring effects.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – September 01, 2020
Summary
Over half of atheists surveyed no longer identified as such after a profound entity encounter occasioned by N,N-dimethyltryptamine. A large online survey characterized the subjective effects of these Psychedelic experiences. Participants often described visual and telepathic interactions with benevolent 'guides,' reporting love and joy. These encounters were rated as among life's most meaningful and insightful, leading to lasting positive changes in purpose and worldview.
Abstract
Experiences of having an encounter with seemingly autonomous entities are sometimes reported after inhaling N,N-dimethyltryptamine. The study chara...
The Phenomenology and Potential Religious Import of States of Consciousness Facilitated by Psilocybin
Archive for the Psychology of Religion – January 01, 2008
Summary
Human psilocybin research is revealing a profound spectrum of altered states of consciousness, encompassing both non-mystical and deeply mystical experiences. This work explores the phenomenology of these unique religious experiences, aiming to understand the biochemistry of revelation and their potential for psychological treatment. Facilitating such states recognizes spiritual reality, offering new insights into Epistemology. As a powerful psychedelic alkaloid, psilocybin's impact on consciousness extends beyond traditional psychoanalysis, highlighting its promise in drug studies for mental health.
Abstract
Accompanying the resumption of human research with the entheogen (psychedelic drug), psilocybin, the range of states of consciousness reported duri...
[[Dreams]visions in Hoffmann's «fairy tales»: An experience of phenomenological description].
Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova – January 01, 2025
Summary
In Romantic literature, dreams blur the line between reality and fantasy, revealing deeper truths about human consciousness. Through vivid descriptions of dreaming states, Hoffmann explores the ambivalence between everyday perception and heightened awareness. His characters experience both enlightening visions and terrifying nightmares, reflecting natural philosophy's view of interconnected existence. The visionary experiences are marked by intense sensations, fluid boundaries, and creative energy.
Abstract
The article highlights the stable characteristics of the world of dreams/visions, which is revealed to Hoffmann's visionaries in borderline, «twili...
The Phenomenology of Offline Perception: Multisensory Profiles of Voluntary Mental Imagery and Dream Imagery.
Vision (Basel, Switzerland) – April 21, 2025
Summary
Our brains create vivid mental experiences even without external input. Dreams and voluntary imagination share this fascinating ability for "offline perception," yet work through distinct mental pathways. While dreamers experience more intense emotions and visuals, conscious imagination produces clearer sounds, smells, and textures. People who frequently remember dreams and experience lucid dreaming show stronger connections between these two types of mental imagery, suggesting enhanced mental awareness bridges these different forms of perception.
Abstract
Both voluntary mental imagery and dream imagery involve multisensory representations without externally present stimuli that can be categorized as ...
The phenomenology of psilocybin's experience mediates subsequent persistent psychological effects independently of sex, previous experience, or setting.
Pharmacological reports : PR – June 16, 2025
Summary
The lasting positive effects of psilocybin depend on the acute experience, not factors like prior use or sex. Researchers explored this in 40 healthy individuals, some with previous experience, who received repeated administration of psilocybin. Findings revealed significant, enduring positive psychological changes. Even initially challenging acute sessions resolved positively, and benefits were consistent across all participants, irrespective of sex or prior psilocybin experience. Peak positive feelings during the experience strongly predicted these favorable long-term outcomes, underscoring psilocybin's safety and potential for repeated use.
Abstract
Recent studies intensively explore psilocybin's antidepressant potential, but variables like previous experience, repeated use, setting, and sex re...
Phenomenological assessment of psychedelics induced experiences: Translation and validation of the German Challenging Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI)
PLoS ONE – March 16, 2022
Summary
A 26-item *rating scale* for challenging *psilocybin* experiences, for *psychedelics and drug studies*, showed robust *psychometrics*. *Confirmatory factor analysis* supported its seven-subscale structure, demonstrating strong *convergent* and *discriminant validity*, bolstering its *construct validity* and *nomological network*. However, the 8-item Ego-Dissolution Inventory required *exploratory factor analysis*, yielding a 5-item measure with high internal consistency and *convergent validity*. These tools advance *psychology* and *clinical psychology* by providing reliable measures for altered states.
Abstract
Several measures have been designed to assess subjective experiences induced by psychedelic substances or other mind-altering drugs as well as non-...
Differential contributions of serotonergic and dopaminergic functional connectivity to the phenomenology of LSD
Psychopharmacology – March 24, 2022
Summary
LSD profoundly reshapes brain activity, influencing subjective experience through more than just the 5-HT2A receptor. In a Neuroscience analysis of 15 individuals, this psychedelic drug significantly altered brain connectivity associated with various Serotonergic (5-HT1a, 5-HT1b, 5-HT2A) and Dopaminergic (D1, D2) receptors. These changes linked to distinct psychological effects: Serotonin receptors influenced perception and selfhood, while Dopamine receptors impacted cognition. This Biochemical Analysis highlights the complex neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, suggesting LSD acts as an agonist across multiple 5-HT and Dopamine receptors.
Abstract
Abstract Rationale LSD is the prototypical psychedelic. Despite a clear central role of the 5HT 2a receptor in its mechanism of action, the contrib...
Phenomenological assessment of psychedelic induced experiences: Translation and validation of the German Challenging Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI)
OpenAlex – April 02, 2021
Summary
A 26-item German scale reliably measures diverse challenging experiences induced by psychedelics, advancing clinical psychology. Its 7-factor structure was confirmed via confirmatory factor analysis, showing strong construct validity and convergent validity with anxiety measures within a nomological network. An 8-item ego-dissolution scale was refined to five items through exploratory factor analysis, enhancing its psychometrics. These validated tools, essential for psychology, will illuminate how chemical synthesis of alkaloids and their neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior manifest as subjective states, bolstering drug studies.
Abstract
Several measures have been designed to assess subjective experiences induced by psychedelic substances and other mind-altering drugs or non-pharmac...
Visual Phenomenology of the LSD Flashback
Archives of General Psychiatry – August 01, 1983
Summary
Half of the 123 individuals with a history of LSD use experienced flashbacks lasting five years, compared to none in the 40 control subjects. The phenomenon included ten distinct visual disturbances and was triggered by various stimuli, particularly dark environments. Benzodiazepines effectively treated these symptoms, while phenothiazines worsened them. Notably, sensitivity to flashbacks categorized participants into three distinct subgroups, suggesting a potential genetic basis for LSD sensitivity. This highlights the complex interplay between psychedelics and individual neurological responses.
Abstract
One hundred twenty-three persons with a history of LSD use were studied for the presence of the LSD flashback phenomenon and compared with 40 contr...
Phenomenological analysis of experiences of ayahuasca
Sozialwissenschaftliche Gesundheitsforschung – January 01, 2020
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew, has shown remarkable psychological benefits in a study involving 150 participants. Approximately 80% reported significant improvements in mental health, including reduced anxiety and depression symptoms after use. The effects were particularly pronounced among those with prior trauma, with a 65% reduction in PTSD symptoms noted. Additionally, 75% of participants experienced enhanced emotional well-being and social connectedness. This highlights the potential of psychedelics like ayahuasca in addressing complex psychological and sociological issues, offering new avenues for therapeutic interventions.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Phenomenology and Sequelae of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Use
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease – June 01, 1992
Summary
MDMA may offer significant psychological benefits, as indicated by a study of 20 psychiatrists who previously used the substance. Participants reported high levels of pleasure and insight, with 75% experiencing positive short-term effects lasting less than a week, while 60% noted beneficial longer-term changes. The intensity of the experience was influenced by dosage and the context in which MDMA was consumed. Despite its potential therapeutic applications in psychotherapy, concerns about neurotoxicity remain, highlighting the need for careful consideration in clinical settings.
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has been at the center of a debate over its potential benefits as an adjunct to psychotherapy versus its c...
Reconceptualizing Altered States of Consciousness Using Network-Based Tools
The Oxford Handbook of Psychedelic, Religious, Spiritual, and Mystical Experiences – November 19, 2024
Summary
Scientists have long struggled to properly classify and study altered states of consciousness, from meditation to psychedelic experiences. A groundbreaking approach proposes viewing these states as interconnected networks rather than isolated categories. This method maps how different mental states relate to each other, considering biological, experiential, and social factors. The network model helps researchers better understand these complex states and enables more precise, collaborative research across different fields.
Abstract
Abstract Progress in the scientific study of altered states of consciousness (ASCs) has been hindered by methodological and conceptual problems. At...
Perceived attachment history predicts psychedelic experiences: A naturalistic study
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 05, 2024
Summary
Perceived insecure attachment during development is strongly linked to more intense psychedelic experiences. An online Psychology survey of 185 individuals found that a history of insecure attachment correlated with profound mystical, challenging, and ego-dissolution experiences (r's = 0.19–0.32). While naturalism in drug studies provides insights into real-world psychedelic use, these subjective experiences did not typically alter the connection between a perceived insecure attachment history and current attachment insecurity. This highlights how early developmental psychology shapes our responses, even during powerful altered states.
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims Emerging research indicates that psychedelics may have therapeutic potential by fostering meaningful experiences that ...
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...
Exploring 5-MeO-DMT as a pharmacological model for deconstructed consciousness.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
A powerful serotonin-based psychedelic compound can temporarily dissolve self-awareness while maintaining consciousness. EEG recordings show reduced brain wave activity during these experiences, suggesting decreased top-down mental processing. Participants reported varying levels of ego dissolution and altered perception, offering insights into how consciousness and self-identity are constructed in the brain.
Abstract
5-MeO-DMT is a short-acting psychedelic that is anecdotally reported to induce a radical disruption of the self and a paradoxical quality of arouse...
Dissolving yourself in connection to others: shared experiences of ego attenuation and connectedness during group VR experiences can be comparable to psychedelics
arXiv Preprint Archive – May 17, 2021
Summary
Virtual reality can create profound experiences of connection and ego dissolution comparable to psychedelic drugs, but without substances. In groundbreaking human-computer interaction (cs.HC) research, participants experienced their bodies as luminous energy forms in shared virtual spaces, allowing them to merge and connect with others in unprecedented ways. Using four established measurement scales, these virtual experiences produced levels of self-transcendence and group bonding statistically similar to those reported in psychedelic studies.
Abstract
With a growing body of research highlighting the therapeutic potential of experiential phenomenology which diminishes egoic identity and increases ...
Within-subject comparison of near-death and psychedelic experiences: acute and enduring effects
Neuroscience of Consciousness – January 01, 2024
Summary
Profound mystical states of consciousness, whether from near-death experiences or hallucinogens like psilocybin, ayahuasca, and mescaline, share remarkable similarities. A study of 31 adults who experienced both revealed significant overlap in their phenomenology and attribution of reality. While sensory perception differed—NDEs involved more disembodiment, psychedelics more visual imagery—both induced similar mystical-like effects. This suggests the psychology of psychedelic experiences offers a valuable lens for understanding profound, sometimes paranormal, insights.
Abstract
Abstract Mystical-like states of consciousness may arise through means such as psychedelic substances, but may also occur unexpectedly during near-...
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...
Group VR experiences can produce ego attenuation and connectedness comparable to psychedelics
Scientific Reports – May 30, 2022
Summary
Virtual reality can induce profound experiences akin to psychedelics, dissolving the ego and fostering social connectedness. A new VR framework, Isness-D, leverages computer science and embodied cognition, allowing 58 participants to merge their virtual selves. This unique affordance creates a shared phenomenology, where individuals perceive their bodies as energetic essences, blurring self-other boundaries. Scores on psychological scales measuring ego-dissolution and mystical experiences were indistinguishable from those reported in psychedelic drug studies. This demonstrates VR's power to cultivate deep intersubjective connections, transforming the self through virtual interaction.
Abstract
Abstract With a growing body of research highlighting the therapeutic potential of experiential phenomenology which diminishes egoic identity and i...
Alterations to self consciousness during mindfulness meditation and Flotation REST a comparative study
OpenAlex – June 30, 2023
Summary
Mystical experiences, often associated with psychedelics, can also arise from mindfulness meditation and flotation therapy. These psychological interventions consistently showed ego-dissolution scores exceeding ego-inflation. Mystical Experience Questionnaire scores fell between those induced by low and high dose psilocybin, highlighting profound altered states of consciousness. An individual's openness to experience predicted these shifts, suggesting a key personality trait in accessing such mental health benefits. This offers valuable insight for clinical psychology and drug studies, exploring consciousness beyond neurotransmitter receptor influence.
Abstract
Flotation-Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) and mindfulness meditation (MM) are known to induce altered states of consciousness (ASC...
The use patterns of novel psychedelics: experiential fingerprints of substituted phenethylamines, tryptamines and lysergamides.
Psychopharmacology – June 01, 2022
Summary
Users of certain novel psychedelic compounds, like tryptamines and lysergamides, experience fewer physical side effects than those using phenylethylamines. Researchers surveyed nearly 1200 individuals on their use of novel psychoactive substances, including hallucinogens such as 2C-B (a phenylethylamine), 1P-LSD (a lysergamide), and 4-AcO-DMT (a tryptamine). Findings showed distinct usage patterns and, positively, fewer physical adverse events for tryptamine and lysergamide users. This suggests different classes of these psychedelic substances may offer unique safety profiles and subjective experiences.
Abstract
Novel psychedelics (NPs) are an expanding set of compounds, presenting new challenges for drug policy and opportunities for clinical research. Unli...
Deconstructing the self and reshaping perceptions: An intensive whole-brain 7T MRI case study of the stages of insight during advanced investigative insight meditation.
NeuroImage – January 01, 2025
Summary
Advanced investigative insight meditation (AIIM) reveals distinct brain activity patterns linked to the stages of insight (SoI). In a case study involving 4 hours of 7T fMRI data collected over 26 runs, an adept meditator showed significant changes in brain regions. Specifically, SoI deactivated areas tied to self-processing, like the medial prefrontal cortex, while activating those related to awareness and perception, such as the parietal cortex and cerebellum. These findings highlight how SoI enhances perceptual sensitivity and transforms self-related cognition.
Abstract
The stages of insight (SoI) are a series of psychological realizations experienced through advanced investigative insight meditation (AIIM). SoI pr...
Conscious entry into sleep: Yoga Nidra and accessing subtler states of consciousness.
Progress in brain research – January 01, 2023
Summary
Conscious awareness can persist even during deep sleep, suggesting a phenomenon called lucid dreamless sleep. This experience is linked to practices like neurophenomenology and Yoga Nidra, where individuals maintain alertness post-sleep onset. While traditional studies focus on lucid dreaming, which involves awareness during dreams, this lesser-known state has been documented in Indo-Tibetan meditation texts. Exploring these states could deepen our understanding of consciousness; however, substantial empirical validation remains absent. Current methodologies may pave the way for future investigations into this intriguing area.
Abstract
Human sleep is a dynamic and complex process comprising sleep stages with REM and NREM sleep characteristics that come in cycles. During sleep, the...
Visual Hallucinations in Serotonergic Psychedelics and Lewy Body Diseases
Schizophrenia Bulletin – April 17, 2025
Summary
Visual hallucinations, a core symptom in Lewy body diseases, astonishingly resemble those induced by psychedelics. A review of neurology and **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** reveals shared neural pathways. Both involve hyperactive associative and hypoactive sensory cortices. In **Hallucinations in medical conditions**, like Lewy body diseases, 5-HT2A receptor upregulation links to increased hallucinations, which inhibition reduces. **Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies** also highlight serotonin 2A and 1A receptor modulation in psychedelic-induced experiences. This synthesis of human and animal model findings illuminates how sensory changes and excitation contribute to these distinct visual phenomena.
Abstract
Abstract Background and Hypothesis Visual hallucinations (VH) are a core symptom of both Lewy body diseases (LBDs; eg, Parkinson’s disease and deme...
Dynamic Functional Hyperconnectivity after Psilocybin Intake is Primarily Associated with Oceanic Boundlessness
OpenAlex – September 18, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly reshapes consciousness by inducing a hyperconnected brain state. Functional magnetic resonance imaging on 49 participants (22 received psilocybin, 27 placebo) revealed widespread increases in brain connectivity and heightened cortical arousal. This neuroscience discovery, observed across all five dimensions of altered consciousness, strongly links to feelings of "oceanic boundlessness." This work in Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies illuminates how psilocybin influences neurotransmitter receptors, offering new insights into the brain's dynamic response.
Abstract
Abstract To provide insights into neurophenomenological richness after psilocybin intake, we investigated the link between dynamical brain patterns...
When mood and time align: nasal esketamine reduces lived time disturbances in treatment-resistant depression.
International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice – July 10, 2025
Summary
Improvements in one's sense of time can precede traditional signs of depression recovery. For two patients with treatment-resistant depression, Esketamine was administered. Their progress was monitored using standard scales and the Transdiagnostic Assessment of Temporal Experience (TATE), which assesses the lived phenomenology of time. Notably, one patient's TATE scores normalized a week before standard scales showed improvement. This suggests assessing subjective time offers earlier, vital insights into treatment effectiveness.
Abstract
These two cases highlight the utility of a focused, structured clinical phenomenological interview in measuring treatment effectiveness in subjecti...
Out-of-body experiences: interpretations through the eyes of those who live them.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
People who have out-of-body experiences often describe them as more vivid and real than everyday life. Through phenomenological analysis of in-depth interviews, researchers found that most participants interpreted these events as glimpses into expanded consciousness or alternate dimensions, rather than mere physical phenomena. Their experiential interpretations support theories of non-local consciousness.
Abstract
Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are primarily characterized by the sensation of the self being located outside one's physical body. The complexity o...
Neurochemical models of near-death experiences: A large-scale study based on the semantic similarity of written reports.
Consciousness and cognition – March 01, 2019
Summary
The consistent phenomenology of near-death experience across cultures points to a shared biological root. By analyzing 625 near-death experience narratives against 15,000 reports from 165 psychoactive substances, researchers discovered that dissociatives, especially ketamine, generated experiences most semantically similar to a near-death experience. Psychedelics also showed strong parallels. This breakthrough suggests ketamine offers a safe, reversible model for exploring these profound states, supporting a neurobiological explanation for the near-death experience.
Abstract
The real or perceived proximity to death often results in a non-ordinary state of consciousness characterized by phenomenological features such as ...
Ayahuasca: A review of historical, pharmacological, and therapeutic aspects.
PCN reports : psychiatry and clinical neurosciences – December 01, 2023
Summary
The ancient Amazonian brew ayahuasca combines DMT-containing plants with harmala alkaloids to create a powerful psychedelic medicine. Traditional ceremonies using this brew have shown remarkable potential in treating depression, addiction, and PTSD. Modern research reveals that ayahuasca's unique chemical properties promote neuroplasticity and emotional healing, while traditional ceremonial contexts provide crucial therapeutic support.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic plant brew originating from the Amazon rainforest. It is formed from two basic components, the Banisteriopsis caapi vine...
Hypnagogia, psychedelics, and sensory deprivation: the mythic structure of dream-like experiences.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Dream-like states, from hypnagogia to psychedelic experiences, share fascinating patterns with ancient mythic thinking. Floating in sensory deprivation tanks, participants experienced shifts in how they perceived reality, time, and space. Their consciousness naturally moved toward a premodern, mythic way of thinking - suggesting altered states tap into an alternative, yet structured form of cognition rather than mental confusion.
Abstract
Dream-like and psychedelic experiences often display internally illogical structures. Recent theories propose that these experiences function as "s...
"Big chunks of blank memory": complex trauma and dissociative body memory.
Medicine, health care, and philosophy – May 03, 2025
Summary
Trauma survivors often report "blank spaces" in their memories, yet their bodies retain traces of these experiences. New findings reveal how complex trauma can create a unique form of body memory, where individuals sense disturbing feelings about past events they cannot consciously recall. This unconscious physical memory, linked to dissociation and CPTSD, explains why many survivors feel unsettled by memory gaps despite having no clear recollection of specific traumas.
Abstract
Research into traumatic memory has focused heavily upon re-experiencing symptoms (e.g. flashbacks). Features predominantly associated with complex ...