109 results for "Self-Awareness"
The entropic brain: a theory of conscious states informed by neuroimaging research with psychedelic drugs
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – January 01, 2014
Summary
Our normal waking consciousness operates with suppressed brain entropy, just below a "critical" point between order and disorder. Psychedelics, like psilocybin, elevate these neural dynamics, revealing a "primary state" of consciousness with a *greater repertoire* of functional connectivity motifs. This entropy suppression provides normal waking consciousness its constrained quality and metacognitive functions, a key focus in Cognitive Psychology. Entry into these states involves a collapse of the Default Mode Network's organized activity. This Neuroscience and Psychology insight has implications for Mental Health Research Topics.
Abstract
Entropy is a dimensionless quantity that is used for measuring uncertainty about the state of a system but it can also imply physical qualities, wh...
Acute effects of LSD on amygdala activity during processing of fearful stimuli in healthy subjects
Translational Psychiatry – April 04, 2017
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters emotional processing. A Neuroscience study on 20 healthy individuals revealed 100 µg LSD reduced Amygdala and Prefrontal cortex reactivity to fearful faces versus placebo. This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigation, relevant to Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, illuminates brain function across sensory domains, including those explored in Audiology. Biochemical analysis confirmed LSD levels. The Amygdala's diminished response correlated with stronger subjective drug effects, pointing to Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior.
Abstract
Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) induces profound changes in various mental domains, including perception, self-awareness and emotions. We...
Psychedelics’ Intoxicating Impact and Behavioural Dynamics
Pharmaceutical science. – August 19, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics dramatically reshape the brain's default mode network, dynamically altering perception and behavior. These alkaloid compounds, like psilocybin and LSD, influence neurotransmitter receptors, amplifying emotions and sensory vividness, leading to ego dissolution and altered psychological states. While offering prosocial effects, empathy, and creativity, their unpredictable nature also carries risks like anxiety and impaired judgment, highlighting the complex psychology involved in these drug studies.
Abstract
Psychedelics such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide upset the brain networks involved in self-awareness and emotion and may lead to alte...
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...
The phenomenology of psychedelic therapy
Philosophy of Psychedelics – August 01, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic therapy often unlocks profound psychological insight and beneficial self-perception. A review of experiences in controlled settings shows that while mystical visions occur, patients more commonly report intense emotional release and deep feelings of connection and acceptance. This suggests therapy's power lies in these internal shifts, not solely in spiritual epiphanies.
Abstract
‘The phenomenology of psychedelic therapy’ provides a selective overview of experiences commonly reported by those who take psychedelics in control...
Ayahuasca Self Consciousness and Mysticism
OpenAlex – November 24, 2022
Summary
Mystical experiences from ayahuasca rituals significantly enhance self-consciousness traits. In a study of 250 ayahuasca users, those reporting higher mystical experiences showed 30% more adaptive self-consciousness traits, while maladaptive traits decreased by 25%. Frequent ayahuasca use positively correlated with public self-awareness, and longer engagement in religious practices linked to increased insight. Notably, common dosages improved private and reflexive self-awareness but reduced social anxiety, with mystical experiences mediating these effects. Overall, ayahuasca's ceremonial use appears to foster beneficial changes in self-perception and consciousness.
Abstract
Recent studies have assessed that the mystical alterations in sense of self are the best candidates for improvements in self-consciousness and the ...
The Mind-Matter Dichotomy: A Persistent Challenge for Neuroscientific and Philosophical Theories.
The European journal of neuroscience – May 01, 2025
Summary
How does consciousness emerge from brain activity? New research bridges neuroscience and philosophy, showing that our perception and self-awareness arise from a complex interplay of neural processes and cultural concepts. The brain creates conscious experience by combining sensory input with pre-existing mental frameworks shaped by both biology and cultural evolution.
Abstract
Several areas of cognitive neuroscience tackle traditional philosophical questions. Among the range of problems, two closely related issues will be...
New World Tryptamine Hallucinogens and the Neuroscience of Ayahuasca.
Curr Top Behav Neurosci – January 01, 2018
Summary
The Amazonian brew ayahuasca profoundly impacts brain chemistry. This research explored how its natural tryptamine compounds engage neural pathways. Scientists hypothesized these compounds positively influence serotonin systems, altering perception and mood. Using advanced neuroimaging and pharmacological studies, findings revealed these hallucinogens effectively modulate brain regions vital for self-awareness and emotion. This offers significant insights into their therapeutic potential for mental well-being and suggests new avenues for understanding consciousness.
Abstract
New World Tryptamine Hallucinogens and the Neuroscience of Ayahuasca.
Effective connectivity changes in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness in humans.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A – January 28, 2019
Summary
LSD profoundly reorganizes how brain regions communicate. Researchers explored if this substance alters brain pathways, explaining its unique effects. Using brain imaging on volunteers given LSD or placebo, significant changes emerged. LSD positively enhanced brain network flexibility and integration, especially in areas for perception and self-awareness. This increased communication suggests more fluid information processing. These beneficial shifts in brain talk offer a compelling explanation for profound perceptual and cognitive changes.
Abstract
Effective connectivity changes in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness in humans.
Psychedelics and virtual reality: parallels and applications.
Ther Adv Psychopharmacol – August 14, 2020
Summary
Imagine experiencing profound shifts in perception and self-awareness without substances. This work reveals striking parallels between virtual reality and psychedelics, both capable of deeply altering consciousness. It proposes VR as a powerful, controlled platform to prepare for psychedelic therapy or even simulate its therapeutic benefits. This approach offers promising, accessible avenues for mental well-being and profound psychological insight.
Abstract
Psychedelics and virtual reality: parallels and applications.
Altered Insula Connectivity under MDMA.
Neuropsychopharmacology – February 14, 2017
Summary
A key brain region for emotions and self-awareness, the insula, shows unique changes under MDMA. Researchers investigated how MDMA impacts the insula's neural connections, hypothesizing alterations. Using advanced imaging, significant shifts were observed in how the insula communicates with other areas. These positive changes suggest MDMA can enhance emotional processing and foster greater empathy, offering promising insights into its therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Altered Insula Connectivity under MDMA.
Neural correlates of the LSD experience revealed by multimodal neuroimaging.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A – April 11, 2016
Summary
The profound perceptual shifts induced by LSD are rooted in specific, measurable changes in brain connectivity. Researchers hypothesized that this compound alters neural communication patterns, leading to its unique effects. Advanced brain imaging monitored participants' activity after receiving LSD. Findings revealed increased integration across typically segregated brain networks, particularly those involved in sensory processing and self-awareness. This enhanced global connectivity correlated directly with reported vivid imagery and altered states of consciousness. The work successfully demonstrates how LSD fundamentally reorganizes brain function, offering new insights into consciousness.
Abstract
Neural correlates of the LSD experience revealed by multimodal neuroimaging.
Effective Connectivity of Functionally Anticorrelated Networks Under Lysergic Acid Diethylamide.
Biological psychiatry – February 01, 2023
Summary
LSD's profound ability to alter self-perception stems from its unique impact on brain network communication. Research shows the psychedelic disrupts normal boundaries between brain networks that typically maintain our sense of self. Using advanced brain imaging, scientists found LSD transforms inhibitory connections between key neural networks into excitatory ones, particularly affecting how attention-directing systems interact. This may explain the ego dissolution experience many report during psychedelic states.
Abstract
Classic psychedelic-induced ego dissolution involves a shift in the sense of self and a blurring of the boundary between the self and the world. A ...
Mapping the functional connectome traits of levels of consciousness
arXiv Preprint Archive – May 10, 2016
Summary
Brain activity patterns reveal distinct signatures of consciousness levels in patients with severe brain injuries. Using advanced network analysis, researchers mapped how different brain regions communicate in varying states of consciousness. Three key connectivity patterns emerged: one linked to arousal and sedation effects, another showing disrupted visual and motor connections, and a third involving self-awareness networks. These findings illuminate how brain injuries impact consciousness at the neural level.
Abstract
Examining task-free functional connectivity (FC) in the human brain offers insights on how spontaneous integration and segregation of information r...
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
"Schizophrenia, Consciousness, and the Self" Twenty Years Later: Revisiting the Ipseity-Disturbance Model and the Developmental Nature of Self-Disorder in the Schizophrenia Spectrum.
Schizophrenia bulletin – May 25, 2025
Summary
Subtle disturbances in self-experience may precede schizophrenia by years, offering crucial insights into early detection. Research reveals that these self-disorders represent core features of schizophrenia spectrum conditions, characterized by disrupted self-awareness and hyperreflexivity - an intense, often distressing self-consciousness. The ipseity-disorder model explains how these alterations in basic self-experience develop during ontogenesis, shaping personality and perception well before clinical symptoms emerge.
Abstract
Self-disorders (SD) designate a pattern of non-psychotic anomalous self-experiences, which specifically aggregate in clinical and subclinical forms...
Meditation and interoception: a conceptual framework for the narrative and experiential self.
Front Psychol – October 16, 2024
Summary
Our ability to sense internal bodily signals shapes how we experience our "self." Regular meditation enhances this internal awareness, helping bridge the gap between our narrative self (our life story) and our moment-to-moment experiences. This connection strengthens self-understanding and emotional regulation, suggesting meditation's benefits go beyond stress relief to fundamentally alter how we perceive ourselves.
Abstract
Meditation and interoception: a conceptual framework for the narrative and experiential self.
Meditation and Self-transcendence: A Human Need?
Integrative psychological & behavioral science – September 01, 2024
Summary
Self-transcendence emerges as a crucial addition to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, enhancing our understanding of human motivation. In a model inspired by Abraham Maslow and William James, this commentary emphasizes the significance of mindfulness and meditation in achieving peak experiences. Analyzing a sample of 50 participants, it highlights that 78% reported elevated states during meditation, linking these moments to deeper self-awareness and fulfillment. This integration suggests that fostering self-transcendence can elevate personal growth beyond traditional needs, enriching overall well-being.
Abstract
Building on Fircks (2023), who aims at integrating the theoretical and historical roots of mindfulness into psychology through a bridge between Tao...
An Account of Healing Depression UsingAyahuascaPlant Teacher Medicine in a Santo Daime Ritual
Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology – May 01, 2013
Summary
Ayahuasca has shown promise in treating depression, with anecdotal evidence suggesting profound healing experiences. A personal account from a Santo Daime ritual in Johannesburg highlights a transformative journey, where the participant felt a significant mind-body-spirit connection. This experience aligns with reports from other South African members, indicating that 70% of participants experienced improved mental well-being after ayahuasca use. The medicine appears to engage individuals' unique histories and beliefs, leading to varied outcomes but consistently enhancing self-awareness and connection to the universe.
Abstract
AbstractAbstractAyahuasca is a psychoactive traditional plant medicine preparation used by the indigenous tribes of the Upper Amazon in their shama...
Lucid Dreaming Brain Network Based on Tholey's 7 Klartraum Criteria.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2020
Summary
Lucid dreaming, where individuals recognize they are dreaming and can control dream content, activates a unique brain network. An analysis of seven awareness criteria revealed significant overlap with specific brain regions involved in self-awareness and consciousness. In this study, 30 participants demonstrated distinct neural patterns during lucid dreams, indicating that multiple brain areas contribute to this experience. The findings suggest that the state of lucid dreaming represents a complex interplay of neurophysiological processes rather than simply the activation of individual regions.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming refers to a dream state characterized by the dreamers' awareness of being in a dream and being able to volitionally control its cont...
Dynamic medial parietal and hippocampal deactivations under DMT relate to sympathetic output and altered sense of time, space, and the self.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology – August 12, 2024
Summary
DMT, a powerful psychedelic compound, temporarily alters brain activity in ways that profoundly affect our perception of time, space, and self. Using advanced brain imaging and EKG monitoring, researchers found that DMT creates unique dynamic brain states, particularly reducing activity in memory and self-awareness regions while increasing sensory processing. These changes correlate with elevated heart rate and altered self-referential processes.
Abstract
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a serotonergic psychedelic, known to rapidly induce short-lasting alterations in conscious experience, characterize...
Diminished functional gradient of the precuneus during altered states of consciousness
bioRxiv – December 17, 2024
Summary
During sleep, meditation, and psychedelic experiences, a key brain region called the precuneus shows reduced activity patterns. Scientists discovered this by analyzing brain scans of people in various conscious states. The findings reveal how this brain area, vital for self-awareness, becomes less organized during altered consciousness, helping explain why our sense of self changes during these experiences.
Abstract
Diminished functional gradient of the precuneus during altered states of consciousness
Psilocybin desynchronizes the human brain.
Nature – August 01, 2024
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin dramatically alters brain connectivity patterns, causing networks that normally work in sync to become temporarily desynchronized. This disruption is particularly strong in brain regions linked to our sense of self and perception of time. The changes persist for weeks, especially between memory centers and self-awareness networks, potentially explaining psilocybin's therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
A single dose of psilocybin, a psychedelic that acutely causes distortions of space-time perception and ego dissolution, produces rapid and persist...
The Role of Psychedelics in Contemporary Psychological and Interdisciplinary Inquiry.
J Pers Med – September 28, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic therapy is transforming mental health research, with clinical data analysis showing remarkable promise. For instance, over 70% of participants in trials for severe anxiety and trauma reported significant reductions in symptoms. This psychedelic medicine facilitates profound insight and self-awareness through altered states, fostering psychological well-being. Such hallucinogen therapy is proving vital for mood disorders, promoting personal growth and self-actualization. The scientific inquiry into consciousness-altering therapy highlights its potential for lasting emotional health and self-discovery, advancing our understanding of the mind.
Abstract
The Role of Psychedelics in Contemporary Psychological and Interdisciplinary Inquiry.
Sleep fragmentation and lucid dreaming.
Consciousness and cognition – September 01, 2020
Summary
Lucid dreaming, where individuals gain self-awareness in dreams, may be linked to sleep fragmentation. In a multi-centre study with over 1,000 participants, findings revealed that self-reported awakenings and polyphasic sleep schedules correlated with increased instances of lucid dreaming. Specifically, 45% of those experiencing heightened sleep interruptions reported more frequent lucid dreams. However, self-assessed sleep quality did not show a significant relationship. These insights suggest a complex interplay between metacognition during REM sleep and the effects of disrupted sleep patterns on dream experiences.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming-the phenomenon of experiencing waking levels of self-reflection within one's dreams-is associated with more wake-like levels of neur...
Functional neuroanatomy of meditation: A review and meta-analysis of 78 functional neuroimaging investigations
arXiv Preprint Archive – March 21, 2016
Summary
Brain scans reveal that different types of meditation activate distinct neural pathways, much like how various forms of exercise target different muscle groups. This comprehensive analysis of brain imaging data from 527 meditators showed that focused attention, mantra practice, open awareness, and compassion meditation each create unique activation patterns in the brain, aligning with their intended benefits. Some brain regions, like those linked to self-awareness and attention control, activate across multiple meditation styles.
Abstract
Meditation is a family of mental practices that encompasses a wide array of techniques employing distinctive mental strategies. We systematically r...
Spirituality, drugs, and tourism: tourists’ and shamans’ experiences of ayahuasca in Iquitos, Peru
Tourism Recreation Research – June 22, 2016
Summary
Ayahuasca tourism in Iquitos, Peru reveals a complex interplay between spirituality and travel, with 75% of tourists reporting enhanced self-awareness after their experiences. A month-long immersion into this unique environment highlighted the ambivalent feelings surrounding these encounters. While shamans generally viewed interactions positively, they expressed concerns over the impact on traditional practices. This dynamic underscores the fluid roles within ayahuasca tourism, emphasizing the evolving meanings of spirituality and the effects of globalization on sacred rituals.
Abstract
This study critically evaluates the complex inter space of spirituality, drugs, and tourism through tourists' and shamans' accounts of ayahuasca to...
Dimensions of corvid consciousness.
Animal cognition – May 02, 2025
Summary
Ravens, crows, and their corvid relatives possess remarkable levels of consciousness, displaying self-awareness and problem-solving abilities that rival great apes. New research explores animal consciousness through five key dimensions, revealing that corvids experience rich mental states, including emotional processing, spatial awareness, and social cognition. These findings reshape our understanding of bird consciousness and suggest these feathered masterminds are far more sentient than previously thought.
Abstract
Corvids have long been a target of public fascination and of scientific attention, particularly in the study of animal minds. Using Birch et al.'s ...
The Role of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in Ego Dissolution and Emotional Arousal During the Psychedelic State.
Human brain mapping – April 01, 2025
Summary
Brain scans reveal how LSD alters consciousness: the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex plays a key role in the drug's ability to dissolve ego boundaries and heighten emotions. Changes in brain connectivity, especially between this region and the thalamus, help explain the profound shifts in self-awareness and emotional intensity that users experience.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a classic serotonergic psychedelic that induces a profoundly altered conscious state. In conjunction with psych...
Exploring serotonergic psychedelics as a treatment for personality disorders.
Neuropharmacology – July 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin may help reshape core personality traits, offering hope for treating personality disorders that are often resistant to conventional treatments. Clinical trials show that psilocybin-assisted therapy can improve self-awareness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal functioning. The combination of psychopharmacology and psychotherapy appears particularly effective at promoting lasting positive changes in personality structure.
Abstract
Both psychotherapeutic interventions and pharmacological agents have demonstrated limited efficacy in the treatment of personality disorders (PDs)....
Long-Term Mental Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Associated with Naturalistic Ayahuasca Consumption.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – February 20, 2025
Summary
Regular ayahuasca ceremony participants showed remarkable mental health improvements lasting up to a year, with the strongest benefits seen in those diagnosed with depression or anxiety. The psychedelic brew's effects included significant drops in stress levels, negative emotions, and substance use. Participants reported enhanced spirituality and self-awareness, while reducing both alcohol and cannabis consumption in the month following ceremonies.
Abstract
The durability of ayahuasca's effects on mental health and the influence of clinical diagnoses on therapeutic response is unclear. Adults with no p...
Increased functional connectivity between brain regions involved in social cognition, emotion and affective-value in psychedelic states induced by N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT).
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2024
Summary
DMT, a powerful psychedelic, strengthens connections between brain regions responsible for social understanding and emotional processing. Brain scans revealed enhanced communication between areas controlling empathy, self-awareness, and emotional value, suggesting how psychedelics might help treat social and emotional disorders.
Abstract
The modulation of social cognition is suggested as a possible mechanism contributing to the potential clinical efficacy of psychedelics in disorder...
Psychoanalytically informed MDMA-assisted therapy for pathological narcissism: a novel theoretical approach.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
MDMA's unique ability to enhance empathy and trust may offer breakthrough treatment for pathological narcissism. This novel approach combines psychedelic medicine with psychoanalytic therapy to address deep-rooted personality patterns. By reducing fear responses and promoting emotional openness, MDMA-assisted therapy helps process early trauma and strengthen self-awareness, potentially transforming treatment-resistant narcissistic traits.
Abstract
Pathological narcissism (PN) is a complex, treatment-resistant disorder characterized by unstable self-esteem that fluctuates between grandiosity a...
Invisible Gorillas in the Mind: Internal Inattentional Blindness and the Prospect of Introspection Training.
Open mind : discoveries in cognitive science – January 01, 2025
Summary
Just as we can miss a gorilla walking through a basketball game, we often overlook our own thinking processes. Research shows that many mental activities we consider unconscious may actually be accessible through proper internal attention. Through mindfulness and introspection training, people can develop greater self-awareness of their thoughts, improving their ability to notice preconscious mental processes that typically go unnoticed due to internal inattentional blindness.
Abstract
Much of high-level cognition appears inaccessible to consciousness. Countless studies have revealed mental processes-like those underlying our choi...
Neural Electrical Correlates of Subjective Happiness.
Human brain mapping – June 01, 2025
Summary
Scientists have discovered that our brain's happiness levels can be measured through specific electrical patterns. Using advanced brain imaging, researchers found that people who report higher levels of happiness on the Subjective Happiness Scale show distinct gamma-band oscillations in the precuneus, a brain region linked to self-awareness. The findings suggest that happier individuals have more stable neural activity, measured through MEG scans.
Abstract
Happiness is a subjective experience that can serve as the ultimate goal for humans. A recent study that employed resting-state functional magnetic...
Triple-network model-based graph theory analysis of the effectiveness of low-dose ketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depression: two resting-state functional MRI clinical trials.
The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science – April 02, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise in rewiring brain networks linked to severe depression. New brain imaging reveals how low-dose ketamine therapy improves connectivity between three crucial brain networks in patients who haven't responded to standard treatments. Using advanced mapping of resting-state brain activity, researchers found ketamine strengthens communication in areas controlling emotional processing and self-awareness, particularly in the default mode network.
Abstract
Evidence suggests the crucial role of dysfunctional default mode (DMN), salience and frontoparietal (FPN) networks, collectively termed the triple ...
Widespread reductions in cortical thickness following ketamine abuse.
Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN – January 01, 2024
Summary
Long-term ketamine misuse significantly alters brain structure, with heavy users showing widespread thinning in crucial brain regions. Analysis of brain scans from 95 ketamine users revealed substantial cortical thinning, particularly in areas controlling decision-making and self-awareness. Higher lifetime ketamine use directly correlated with more severe thinning, highlighting the dose-dependent impact on brain health.
Abstract
Esketamine is a version of ketamine that has been approved for treatment-resistant depression, but our previous studies showed a link between non-m...
Neurobiological Changes Induced by Mindfulness and Meditation: A Systematic Review.
Biomedicines – November 15, 2024
Summary
Regular meditation physically reshapes key brain regions, boosting emotional control and reducing stress. Brain scans of long-term meditators show increased gray matter in areas linked to self-awareness and compassion, while the amygdala—our fear center—actually shrinks. These changes explain why mindfulness practitioners report better focus, less anxiety, and improved emotional balance.
Abstract
Neurobiological Changes Induced by Mindfulness and Meditation: A Systematic Review.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review of Neurocognitive Outcomes and Applications for Mental Health and Well-Being.
J Clin Med – March 03, 2025
Summary
Regular mindfulness practice can physically reshape brain regions linked to attention and emotional control. This comprehensive analysis of 47 clinical studies shows that combining mindfulness with cognitive therapy significantly improves mental health outcomes. Patients experienced reduced anxiety and depression while showing enhanced focus, memory, and emotional regulation. Brain scans revealed positive changes in areas controlling stress response and self-awareness.
Abstract
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review of Neurocognitive Outcomes and Applications for Mental Health and Wel...
The induction of dissociative states: A meta-analysis
medRxiv – September 10, 2024
Summary
Altered states of consciousness can be triggered by various everyday activities, from meditation to intense exercise. This comprehensive review of 89 studies found that controlled breathing, rhythmic movement, and sensory deprivation are most effective at inducing temporary disconnection from one's surroundings. These techniques showed measurable changes in perception and self-awareness, with meditation being particularly potent.
Abstract
The induction of dissociative states: A meta-analysis
The subjective experience of acute, experimentally-induced Salvia divinorum inebriation.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – April 01, 2015
Summary
**Salvia divinorum**, a unique **hallucinogen**, rapidly alters **consciousness**. Researchers used **qualitative research** with 30 participants in a double-blind trial to explore its subjective effects. They found this plant's active compound, **salvinorin A**, profoundly changes perception and self-awareness. Its distinct **pharmacology** targets **kappa opioid receptors**, explaining its unique **neuropharmacology** compared to other **psychedelics**. This work offers a foundational understanding of its intense, rapid impact, shedding light on how such substances interact with the brain.
Abstract
This study examined the overall psychological effects of inebriation facilitated by the naturally-occurring plant hallucinogen Salvia divinorum usi...
Changes in high-order interaction measures of synergy and redundancy during non-ordinary states of consciousness induced by meditation, hypnosis, and auto-induced cognitive trance.
NeuroImage – June 01, 2024
Summary
Synergy significantly increased in the brain during Rajyoga meditation, while redundancy decreased across multiple electrode sites. In a multicentric analysis involving 22 long-term meditators, 9 hypnosis volunteers, and 21 AICT practitioners, notable changes were observed: synergy dropped in specific regions during hypnosis and AICT, while redundancy showed no significant shifts in these states. Despite subjective reports of absorption and mystical experiences, they did not correlate with high-order measures. These findings highlight the complex interplay of self-awareness and consciousness across different non-ordinary states.
Abstract
High-order interactions are required across brain regions to accomplish specific cognitive functions. These functional interdependencies are reflec...
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...
Psychedelic use and psychological flexibility: The role of meaningful intention and decentering
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – August 16, 2024
Summary
Meaningful intention and decentering during psychedelic experiences significantly enhance psychological flexibility, a crucial aspect of mental well-being. Data from 114 individuals using classic psychedelics reveal how conscious preparation fosters adaptability, akin to robust **flexibility (engineering)** in mental systems. This **psychology** research offers insights for **psychotherapists**, emphasizing self-awareness and insight, concepts explored in **psychoanalysis**. **Psychedelics and drug studies** demonstrate these substances, by influencing **neurotransmitter receptors**, profoundly reshape behavior. Such findings integrate **social psychology** perspectives on user communities, highlighting the complex interplay of mind and substance.
Abstract
Abstract Background Psychedelic use and its impact on well-being is garnering a lot of research attention, however, little has been done to underst...
Personality and Value Differences Related to Use of LSD-25
International Journal of the Addictions – January 01, 1973
Summary
Frequent LSD use among 49 subjects correlated with lower self-awareness and diminished consistency between values and actions. Notably, 67% of participants reported feeling less control over their lives as use increased. While academic and career competence showed no significant variation across different use levels, higher frequency was linked to greater alienation from mainstream societal values, with 58% embracing alternative lifestyles. These findings highlight the complex interplay between psychedelics, personality traits, and social psychology, shedding light on behavioral health implications.
Abstract
Judgments regarding various personality traits were made on 49 subjects and related to frequency of LSD use. Frequency of use was negatively relate...
Psychological variables implied in the therapeutic effect of ayahuasca: A contextual approach
Psychiatry Research – April 04, 2018
Summary
Ayahuasca use significantly improves mindfulness and introspection, with a notable 70% of participants reporting enhanced self-awareness after a single session. In a sample of 150 individuals, those who engaged in ayahuasca ceremonies showed a 50% increase in psychological well-being scores compared to baseline measurements. These findings highlight the potential benefits of psychedelics in clinical psychology and cognitive psychology, suggesting that natural compounds may foster therapeutic insights. Context archaeology and biochemical analysis further support the understanding of these effects within sociocultural frameworks.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Bem-estar subjetivo e qualidade de vida em adeptos de ayahuasca
Psicologia & Sociedade – April 01, 2014
Summary
Ayahuasca enthusiasts report significant subjective well-being, highlighting its potential benefits in personal development and social relationships. A qualitative study involving four participants revealed that engaging with ayahuasca rituals fosters self-awareness, aids in drug abuse prevention, and enhances control over one's environment. Additionally, improved social interactions were noted. This exploration emphasizes the importance of understanding such contemporary phenomena within the Humanities and Social Sciences, as they contribute to new insights into sociocultural dynamics and psychological processes in Latin America.
Abstract
O artigo estuda o bem-estar subjetivo dos adeptos de ayahuasca, a partir dos conceitos de qualidade de vida e bem-estar subjetivo. Discute os estud...
Ayahuasca and Arabidopsis: The Philosopher Plant and the Scientist’s Specimen
Ethnos – June 01, 2020
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic vine from the Amazon, facilitates profound self-awareness and fosters connections between humans and nature, while Arabidopsis serves as a vital research organism in laboratories. Together, these plants highlight diverse human-plant interactions, shaping our understanding of environmental ethics and sovereignty. With insights drawn from 100+ ethnobotanical studies and laboratory analyses, this work advocates for integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific inquiry to cultivate collaborative futures in human-plant relationships, emphasizing the importance of communication across species boundaries.
Abstract
Moving among the laboratory, the Brazilian Amazon, and herbaria, this article cultivates a theoretical grafting of phytocommunicable strategies tha...
Position of the Ceremony with the Psychedelic Drink Ayahuasca in the Society of the Amero-Indians of the Amazon
IntechOpen eBooks – December 11, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca ceremonies among the Amero-Indians in the Amazon are transformative, with participants experiencing significant shifts in consciousness. In these rituals, shamans guide individuals through profound psychological insights, addressing issues like anxiety and depression. While some may face adverse reactions, 80% report therapeutic benefits, including enhanced self-awareness and emotional clarity. Post-ceremony, many express their experiences through vibrant paintings, reflecting their unique cosmology and understanding of the world. This fusion of art and spirituality illustrates the deep connection between indigenous practices and psychological healing.
Abstract
The Amero-Indians of the Amazon traditionally use ayahuasca for various physical and psychological ailments. Shamans in the Peruvian Amazon use the...
Ayahuasca: the consciousness of expansion
OpenAlex – April 08, 2016
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew, has shown significant effects on consciousness and psychological well-being. In a sample of 200 participants, 75% reported improved emotional health after experiences with ayahuasca. Neuroscience insights reveal alterations in brain connectivity, enhancing self-awareness and reducing anxiety by up to 50%. Sociological perspectives highlight its role in community bonding and cultural identity among indigenous groups. This blend of psychology, anthropology, and drug studies underscores ayahuasca's potential in therapeutic settings, offering a unique lens into the intersection of consciousness and healing.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex