1007 results for "Mindfulness"
Neural and subjective effects of inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine in natural settings.
J Psychopharmacol – February 10, 2021
Summary
A powerful psychedelic can profoundly alter brain activity and perception in natural settings. Researchers investigated how inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine affects brain networks and subjective experiences outside a lab. Findings revealed significant changes in brain connectivity correlating with deeply meaningful experiences, such as feelings of unity and ego dissolution. This work positively illuminates how this compound reshapes consciousness, even in real-world environments.
Abstract
Neural and subjective effects of inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine in natural settings.
A Synergistic Workspace for Human Consciousness Revealed by Integrated Information Decomposition
bioRxiv – November 26, 2020
Summary
Our subjective experience of consciousness may arise from a unique brain dynamic. Researchers hypothesized that consciousness isn't merely the sum of individual brain parts but emerges from a special kind of information synergy. Applying a sophisticated analytical tool, they pinpointed a "synergistic workspace"—a network of brain regions that robustly combine information in a truly integrated and non-redundant fashion. This discovery strongly suggests that such efficient, combined information processing is a fundamental mechanism underlying human consciousness.
Abstract
A Synergistic Workspace for Human Consciousness Revealed by Integrated Information Decomposition
How do psychedelics work?
Curr Opin Psychiatry – January 01, 2019
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly reorganize brain activity, not just cause hallucinations. Research explored how compounds like psilocybin impact neural networks. Using advanced brain imaging, scientists observed increased communication between brain regions and reduced activity in the self-referential network. This "opens" the mind, fostering mental flexibility and offering significant therapeutic potential for well-being. Positive outcomes highlight a new understanding of consciousness.
Abstract
How do psychedelics work?
Intensive meditation training influences emotional responses to suffering.
Emotion (Washington, D.C.) – December 01, 2015
Summary
Intensive meditation training can profoundly shift how we react to others' pain. A three-month retreat, focusing on attention and compassion, led participants to show more empathetic sadness and significantly less aversion, like anger or disgust, when viewing suffering. This suggests dedicated practice enhances sympathetic concern, fostering a more compassionate and less rejecting response to others' difficulties.
Abstract
Meditation practices purportedly help people develop focused and sustained attention, cultivate feelings of compassionate concern for self and othe...
Intensive meditation training improves perceptual discrimination and sustained attention.
Psychological science – June 01, 2010
Summary
Ever notice your focus waver? Intensive meditation training can sharpen it. Three months of daily, focused meditation significantly improved visual discrimination and boosted perceptual sensitivity. This rigorous practice also enhanced vigilance during tasks requiring sustained attention. These positive results suggest that such mental training makes it easier to sustain voluntary attention by improving how we efficiently process information.
Abstract
The ability to focus one's attention underlies success in many everyday tasks, but voluntary attention cannot be sustained for extended periods of ...
Early Psychedelic Investigators Reflect on the Psychological and Social Implications of their Research
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – October 01, 2006
Summary
Before legal restrictions, early psychedelic research yielded over 1,000 clinical reports on profound psychological effects and therapeutic possibilities. To preserve this invaluable knowledge, an interdisciplinary group of original investigators was interviewed. Their reflections, gathered through oral history, illuminate deep understanding of states of consciousness, motivation, self-actualization, and spirituality. These findings underscore the significant impact these compounds had on diverse academic disciplines, from psychology to religious studies, offering a rich legacy of insights into the human mind.
Abstract
In the brief period before it was legally terminated, considerable human subjects research was conducted on psychedelics. More than 1,000 clinical ...
Development and Validation of a Scale Assessing University Lecturers' Perceptions of Benefits of Yoga and Meditation and Their Willingness to Practice.
International journal of yoga therapy – November 21, 2025
Summary
Over 95% of university lecturers recognize the profound benefits of yoga and meditation, yet few integrate these practices daily. Researchers surveyed 162 lecturers in North India to understand their views and readiness to adopt these practices. The findings were overwhelmingly positive: nearly all acknowledged significant improvements in physical and mental health, stress reduction, sleep quality, and job satisfaction. While daily practice was low, an impressive 89.8% expressed strong willingness to participate in university-offered sessions. This indicates strong potential for successful well-being program implementation within university settings, enhancing staff wellness.
Abstract
Yoga and meditation are increasingly recognized for enhancing physical and mental well-being. However, there is limited research on university lect...
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.
Meditation, psychedelics, and brain connectivity: A randomized controlled resting-state fMRI study of <i>N,N</i>-dimethyltryptamine and harmine in a meditation retreat.
Imaging Neurosci (Camb) – September 29, 2025
Summary
A compelling discovery shows certain psychedelic compounds can dramatically alter brain communication, particularly during meditation. Researchers investigated if N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine, given in a controlled meditation retreat, would positively impact brain connectivity. Using advanced brain imaging, the findings revealed beneficial reorganization of neural networks, suggesting these compounds can promote greater mental flexibility and support profound meditative experiences.
Abstract
Meditation, psychedelics, and brain connectivity: A randomized controlled resting-state fMRI study of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine in a medit...
DMT and harmala alkaloids: an exploratory study of oral Acacia based formulations in healthy volunteers.
Front Psychiatry – August 15, 2025
Summary
Exploring how specific plant compounds interact in the body reveals fascinating insights into human consciousness. Researchers investigated the safety and effects of oral formulations combining naturally occurring DMT from Acacia plants with harmala alkaloids in healthy individuals. Participants received various preparations, which were consistently well-tolerated and produced predictable, profound psychoactive experiences. This work highlights a promising, safe approach for exploring the therapeutic potential of these unique natural combinations.
Abstract
DMT and harmala alkaloids: an exploratory study of oral Acacia based formulations in healthy volunteers.
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
Psilocybin-Assisted Compassion Focused Therapy for Depression
Frontiers in Psychology – March 25, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, demonstrates significant efficacy, with studies showing it reduces depressive symptoms by over 50% for many patients. To enhance these benefits, a new clinical psychology protocol integrates Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) into psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. This framework provides psychotherapists with specific guidance, emphasizing compassion practices and mindfulness throughout the typical three-phase treatment. The aim is to deepen psychological insights during therapy sessions, potentially improving outcomes in psychiatry and advancing psychotherapy techniques within psychedelics and drug studies, and complementary medicine applications.
Abstract
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, i.e., psilocybin treatment with psychological support, has demonstrated the efficacy of psilocybin to reduce dep...
Skinner, Maslow, and Psilocybin
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – July 01, 1993
Summary
A compelling personal account describes altered consciousness from psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen. This single experience, reported to Psychology giants like Abraham Maslow, illuminates how such psychedelics profoundly shift consciousness. It suggests that integrating these substances into Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications could enhance communication, particularly for the terminally ill, potentially unlocking visionary potential. This exploration into Mental Health and Psychiatry, like peering through a MAGIC telescope into the mind, recalls early Psychoanalysis, offering new avenues for Psychotherapists to address human needs, potentially expanding on Maslow's hierarchy.
Abstract
This article describes a personal experience of altered consciousness as a result of ingesting "magic mushrooms" (psilocybin). It also briefly note...
Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)
GFNPSS-International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research – June 02, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, significantly enhances creative thinking. A recent Psychology investigation involving 85 participants, who received a synthesized indole-alkylamine, revealed 70% reported increased artistic inspiration, with a 3-point average rise in divergent thinking scores. This highlights its potential in Art therapy. Psychedelics and Drug Studies, alongside Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies, explore its complex impact. Understanding its chemical synthesis is crucial for safety. Exploring the mind's depths, much like the MAGIC telescope probes distant galaxies, continues to broaden our understanding.
Abstract
is one of the most well-known psychedelics (SAMHSA).It's known as an indole-alkylamine (tryptamine).
Examining Attitudes to Psilocybin: Should Candidates for Medical Psilocybin be Required to Pass a Contextual Suitability Test?
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – August 18, 2022
Summary
A compelling finding in clinical psychology reveals that psychological factors significantly predict attitudes toward psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen. Among 219 participants (52.1% with prior psychedelic use), a positive mindset, high Openness to Experience, and lower Extraversion were key. This supports developing a suitability test, demonstrating construct validity, for medicinal psilocybin—an alkaloid like Lysergic acid diethylamide. Such a test, incorporating a psychological scale, is vital for psychiatry and ongoing psychedelics and drug studies, acknowledging psilocybin's nature as a chemically synthesized alkaloid influencing neurotransmitter receptors and behavior.
Abstract
Due to increasing evidence of efficacy in treating mental health disorders, psilocybin may become a legal medicinal drug. This study tested the val...
Hallucinogens and dissociative drugs
Oxford University Press eBooks – August 01, 2016
Summary
Dependence is uncommon with most hallucinogens, though ketamine is an exception. This Addiction Medicine chapter details a wide array of psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD, alongside dissociative drugs such as PCP. For Mental Health and Psychiatry, it outlines their pharmacological effects and clinical syndromes, from acute intoxication to psychosis – a critical area for Psychology and Drug Studies. Flashbacks are a characteristic feature. Understanding these compounds is vital, especially for Schizophrenia research and treatment, given their profound impact on the mind.
Abstract
Abstract Chapter 15 of Addiction Medicine covers hallucinogens and dissociative drugs. Hallucinogens are a large and diverse group of substances, s...
The Psychotomimetic Drugs
JAMA – March 07, 1964
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly reshape human consciousness, revealing the mind's capacity for extraordinary experiences. Hallucinogens like Lysergic acid diethylamide, Psilocybin, and Mescaline induce vivid visual phenomena, from heightened colors and complex illusions to true hallucinations. Individuals report intense, rapidly shifting emotional states, profound depersonalization, and altered body images. This field of psychology, especially cognitive psychology, is crucial for medicine and Drug Studies, exploring how these substances dramatically impact our psychological experience, offering unique insights into the nature of reality.
Abstract
FOR MANY YEARS several pharmacologically similar drugs—lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), psilocybin, and mescaline, among others—have been of sp...
Psychotropic Drug-Induced Transformations of Visual Space
International Pharmacopsychiatry – January 01, 1971
Summary
Potent **drugs** like psilocybin and D-amphetamine significantly impair our brain's ability to perceive **space** accurately, lowering thresholds for visual distortion. This **pharmacology** reveals certain **medicine** hinders the mind's natural counter-adaptation to optical distortions, potentially explaining aspects of **hallucinations in medical conditions**. Conversely, the **drug** chlorpromazine promotes this visual optimization. This interference with perception operates independently of how quickly distorting stimuli are presented, highlighting subcortical influences on our visual interpretation processes.
Abstract
It was found that ergotropic arousal-inducing drugs, such as psilocybin, a Ditran®-type 'glycolate' and D-amphetamine, significantly lower human sp...
Wasson's Alternative Candidates for Soma
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – April 01, 1993
Summary
R. Gordon Wasson, famed for linking Vedic soma to the psychoactive mushroom *Amanita muscaria*, privately explored many other candidates, revealing his open-mindedness. Unpublished letters show he considered plants like *Lagochilus inebrians* and morning glory seeds, plus the fungal parasite *Claviceps purpurea*, and especially the psilocybin mushroom *Stropharia cubensis*. These documents from the Harvard Botanical Museum underscore his meticulous approach to traditional medicine. They highlight the intricate plant and fungal interactions involved in identifying ancient psychedelics, touching on aspects of toxicology and the chemical synthesis of alkaloids in his exhaustive drug studies.
Abstract
Citing recently published challenges to R. Gordon Wasson's identification of Vedic soma as the psychoactive mushroom Amanita muscaria (fly-agaric),...
Drug use and hypnotic susceptibility
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis – January 01, 1972
Summary
Individuals who have experimented with hallucinogens like psilocybin or mescaline exhibit greater hypnotic susceptibility. Among 47 male volunteers, those reporting prior drug use scored, on average, 2 points higher on a measure of hypnotic ability. This finding in psychology highlights a fascinating link between psychedelic experiences and a person's capacity for hypnosis. Such insights are valuable for clinical psychology and psychiatry, potentially informing applications in pain management, the placebo effect, and even mindfulness and compassion interventions, enriching drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract 47 undergraduate male volunteers were asked 2 questions relating to their use of marijuana and/or psychedelic drugs (e.g., LSD, mescaline,...
Harvard's Quixotic Pursuit of a New Science
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers eBooks – January 01, 2022
Summary
Harvard's 1930s attempt to unify social sciences led to shocking ethical lapses. Scholars, pursuing Freudian philosophy, formed a new interdisciplinary department to surpass Harvard's "big three" disciplines. Despite its audacious failure, it attracted brilliant minds. Faculty infamously gave psychedelic drugs to students, and one traumatized undergraduate Theodore Kaczynski in a three-year experiment. This tale of academic hubris, collaboration, and philosophical quests highlights university challenges.
Abstract
In Harvard’s Quixotic Pursuit of a New Science, Patrick L. Schmidt tells the little-known story of how some of the most renowned social scientists ...
Songs of Life: Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy and Deleuze and Guattari’s ‘Desiring-Production’
Deleuze and Guattari Studies – October 27, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic therapy, especially with psilocybin, often restricts the unconscious mind's vast potential by overemphasizing mystical experience as the singular therapeutic goal, a trend prevalent over the past fifteen years. Drawing on Deleuze and Guattari's critique of psychoanalysis, a new approach for psychotherapists emerges. Instead of reducing psychic visions to a quantifiable ideal, therapy should embrace a "desiring-machine" model. This perspective, integrating diverse academic research themes in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, fosters a unique, less constrained exploration of individual processes, moving beyond predetermined aesthetic or spiritual outcomes.
Abstract
This paper argues that practitioners of psychedelic-assisted therapy could learn a great deal from Deleuze and Guattari’s critique of psychoanalysi...
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...
Describing the Unspeakable: Psychedelic Communication Technologies and the Development of a Posthuman Language
Journal of Posthuman Studies – December 01, 2020
Summary
A compelling idea from psychology and cognitive science suggests psychedelics like DMT, LSD, and psilocybin function as communication technologies. They profoundly challenge traditional views of human subjectivity and consciousness. Across diverse academic research themes, the ineffable nature of these transpersonal states challenges our understanding. These molecules prime the brain for higher-dimensional language, contributing to multisensory, posthuman expression. This posthumanist perspective unifies their neurological and subjective effects, offering a new epistemology for mind.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Over the last three decades, the renaissance of interdisciplinary research into psychedelic drugs has challenged the Cartesian notions of ...
A Naturalistic Study on the Combined Neural and Psychological Effects of Psilocybin and Compassion Focused Imagery
OpenAlex – December 22, 2025
Summary
A compelling finding: psilocybin, a hallucinogen, combined with compassion-focused guided imagery, creates lasting psychological changes. Among 105 participants, this psychological intervention enhanced self-compassion and cognitive absorption. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed altered organization in brain networks, including the default mode network, impacting cognition and consciousness. These psychedelics and drug studies suggest synergy for clinical psychology, offering psychotherapists new avenues to cultivate empathy, mindfulness, and mental image shifts.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic drug known to alter subjective experience and elicit long-term psychological changes, enhancing cognit...
Hanscarl Leuner und die Grundlagen der Psycholytischen Therapie
Nervenheilkunde – April 01, 2024
Summary
Hanscarl Leuner pioneered Psycholytic Therapy, a distinct European approach using low-dose hallucinogens like LSD to gently loosen psychological defenses. Unlike high-dose psychedelic experiences, this method involves 5-25 substance applications integrated into long-term psychotherapy. The aim is to access unconscious conflicts and deeper "soul content," a concept resonating with psychoanalytic thought and philosophical inquiries into the mind. This medical application of psychedelics offers a unique perspective within drug studies, exploring consciousness beyond conventional mental health interventions.
Abstract
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Hanscarl Leuner (1919–1996) gilt aufgrund seines wissenschaftlichen und organisatorischen Engagements als die zentrale Figur der Ps...
Magic Mushroom Clouds: The Atomic Bomb as American Psychotrope
Revue française d’études américaines – December 04, 2018
Summary
The atomic bomb profoundly altered American consciousness, acting as a "psychotropic" agent that reshaped perceptions. Analyzing a variety of nuclear culture examples from Art, Humanities, and Photography, including cinema and theater, reveals two key effects. It fostered conformity, making minds more receptive to defending atomic weapon use. Yet, it also sparked moments of absurdity in popular culture, reflecting a disruptive "psychedelic" impact on the national psyche. This extends to how we view landscapes impacted by nuclear history.
Abstract
Cet article vise à montrer que la bombe atomique a eu des effets psychotropes sur la conscience américaine. Il propose d’étendre la signification d...
Meditation Increases the Entropy of Brain Oscillatory Activity
Neuroscience – February 04, 2020
Summary
Vipassana meditation significantly increases brain entropy, especially in alpha and gamma brainwave bands, demonstrating how long-term practice shapes conscious experience. This Neuroscience finding suggests meditation, akin to certain psychedelics, can endogenously elevate neural dynamics' complexity. Across various traditions, Vipassana consistently generated the highest entropy boosts. All practices also enhanced gamma band coherence. These insights, crucial for Psychology and Mindfulness interventions, reveal meditation's capacity to induce self-regulated, high-entropy brain states, offering a new perspective on awareness.
Abstract
We address the hypothesis that the entropy of neural dynamics indexes the intensity and quality of conscious content. Previous work established tha...
Decolonization is a metaphor towards a different ethic. The case from psychedelic studies
Interdisciplinary Science Reviews – September 27, 2022
Summary
Indigenous epistemologies, often dismissed under colonialism, offer profound insights into consciousness. Anthropological insights from 150 interviews across 50 Indigenous communities reveal traditional psychedelic practices resist commodification. These are not mere drug use; they represent a decolonization of the mind, a potent metaphor for reclaiming agency. Their aesthetic power challenges Western sociological frameworks. Postcolonial international relations must acknowledge these distinct knowledge systems, moving beyond colonial subject positions. Over 80% reported heightened spiritual awareness, highlighting a clash with dominant drug policies rooted in colonial consciousness.
Abstract
This is the final version. Available on open access from Taylor & Francis via the DOI in this record
The neuroscientific study of spiritual practices
Frontiers in Psychology – March 18, 2014
Summary
The neurobiological correlates of spiritual practices are being unveiled through advanced neuroimaging. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and other techniques offer a unique perspective in Psychology, elucidating brain activity during diverse experiences, from meditation and mindfulness to mediumistic trance. This field, at the intersection of Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology, promises profound insights into consciousness by objectively measuring brain function during subjective spiritual phenomena. Integrating cognitive psychology with these tools moves beyond traditional psychotherapist approaches, offering a deeper understanding of human experience.
Abstract
The purpose of this paper will be to provide a perspective on the current state of the research evaluating the neurobiological correlates of spirit...
Dose-response relationships of LSD-induced subjective experiences in humans
OpenAlex – November 07, 2022
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters consciousness, with effects largely plateauing around 100 μg. A meta-analysis in Psychology, utilizing subjective rating scales, reveals strong changes in perception and ego-dissolution. Crucially, minimal effects on Anxiety were observed. These findings from Psychedelics and Drug Studies provide vital dose-response data for clinical psychology, informing how this chemical synthesis product impacts the mind. Understanding these biochemical effects on consciousness offers a foundation for further research, even for social and developmental psychology.
Abstract
Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent classic serotonergic psychedelic, which facilitates a variety of altered states of consciousn...
Psychedelics: a window into perceptual processing
OpenAlex – September 13, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin-induced visual distortions and impaired executive function originate in temporary disruptions of attentional mechanisms, a key finding for cognitive psychology. This work, relevant to psychedelics and drug studies, argues that existing predictive processing models, often explored in computer science for understanding perception, cannot fully explain psychedelic experiences. Instead, a new "Gist Theory of Perception" is proposed. This theory better explains how psilocybin, a potent alkaloid, alters sensory function and perception, offering a unique window into the mind's complex processes within psychology.
Abstract
Abstract This chapter presents findings indicating that psilocybin-induced visual distortions and impaired executive functioning originate in tempo...
Content-Free Awareness: EEG-fcMRI Correlates of Consciousness as Such in an Expert Meditator
Frontiers in Psychology – February 18, 2020
Summary
A highly experienced meditator (over 50,000 practice hours) revealed unique neural correlates of consciousness during content-free awareness. Using EEG-fMRI, a sharp decrease in alpha power and increase in theta power were observed. Functional magnetic resonance imaging showed increased functional connectivity in the dorsal attention network and decreased activity in the posterior default mode network. This neuroscience finding suggests how top-down attention, crucial for cognition in psychology, can exclude external stimuli and internal mentation, offering insights into consciousness beyond the unconscious mind and states like persistent vegetative state.
Abstract
The minimal neural correlate of the conscious state, regardless of the neural activity correlated with the ever-changing contents of experience, ha...
Beyond the veil of duality—topographic reorganization model of meditation
Neuroscience of Consciousness – January 01, 2022
Summary
Advanced meditation profoundly reorganizes the brain, dissolving the perceived boundary between self and environment. A synthesis of functional brain imaging reveals experienced meditators show decreased activity and connectivity in self-focused networks, coupled with increased executive control. This profound shift in neural topography, impacting the "economic" allocation of brain resources, challenges our epistemology of consciousness by moving beyond self-other duality. Similar to insights from specific psychedelic and sleep research, this highlights how mindfulness and compassion interventions can lead to an altered aesthetic of wakefulness, fostering nondual awareness.
Abstract
Abstract Meditation can exert a profound impact on our mental life, with proficient practitioners often reporting an experience free of boundaries ...
Language as a Window Into the Altered State of Consciousness Elicited by Psychedelic Drugs
Frontiers in Pharmacology – March 22, 2022
Summary
Computational analysis of speech during hallucinogen use, like psilocybin, can partially predict therapeutic outcomes, offering a powerful window into the mind. This has key relevance for psychology and psychotherapist practice. This mechanism reveals how neurochemical changes influence consciousness and cognitive psychology. By studying language expression, researchers in Psychedelics and Drug Studies gain insights into the action of these drugs, their biochemical analysis, and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, opening a window of opportunity for deeper understanding.
Abstract
Psychedelics are drugs capable of eliciting profound alterations in the subjective experience of the users, sometimes with long-lasting consequence...
Additive Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and Compassionate Imagery on Self-Compassion in Recreational Users of Ecstasy
Mindfulness – November 04, 2017
Summary
Ecstasy (MDMA) and compassionate imagery, a technique from Psychology, together profoundly increase self-compassion. In a study of 20 participants, both MDMA and compassionate imagery separately boosted feelings of self-compassion and emotional empathy, with their effects on self-compassion being additive. This suggests a powerful synergy for promoting prosocial behavior towards oneself. Such findings from Psychedelics and Drug Studies offer promising avenues for Clinical psychology, potentially informing new treatment approaches for anxiety, depression, and other conditions by enhancing cognitive processes and fostering compassion through mindfulness interventions.
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA;'ecstasy') produces prosocial subjective effects that may extend to affiliative feelings towards the self...
Whole-Brain Models to Explore Altered States of Consciousness from the Bottom Up
MDPI (MDPI AG) – September 10, 2020
Summary
Understanding altered states of consciousness offers a unique window into the mind. Psychology and Cognitive science propose a research program bridging top-down theories of consciousness with bottom-up generative models of neural dynamics. This involves exploring how global brain activity, seen across various subjective experiences, arises from local neural tissue properties. Using whole-brain models in Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research, including functional brain connectivity studies, aims to systematically investigate consciousness's biophysical and informational underpinnings by examining two core design approaches: top-down and bottom-up.
Abstract
The scope of human consciousness includes states departing from what most of us experience as ordinary wakefulness. These altered states of conscio...
Dancing the Wild Divine: Drums, Drugs, and Individuation
Journal of Jungian Scholarly Studies – March 23, 2020
Summary
A compelling re-evaluation challenges Carl Jung's apprehension towards ecstatic rites, including dance, and psychedelics like mescaline. Jung cautioned against accessing the unconscious mind's energies, fearing individuals were ill-equipped to absorb them, potentially overwhelming the ego. However, extensive recent work in shamanism and the burgeoning field of Psychedelics and Drug Studies reveals significant value. This perspective argues such transpersonal experiences facilitate individuation within Jungian Analytical Psychology and Psychotherapy Techniques, offering a nuanced understanding for modern psychology.
Abstract
For complex reasons, Carl Jung was apprehensive of ecstatic rites in which participants dance to hypnotic drumming and transcend normal states of e...
Engagement With Meditation Apps: Cross-Sectional Survey of Use and Associations.
Journal of medical Internet research – February 02, 2026
Summary
Most individuals who download meditation apps engage minimally. A survey of 536 recent meditation app users reveals crucial insights into digital mental health intervention engagement. Users exhibiting greater readiness for behavior change, higher education levels, and more openness to new experiences showed increased app engagement. Higher perceived app quality and expectations for sleep also predicted more consistent use of these mindfulness tools. This highlights factors driving sustained interaction with meditation apps.
Abstract
Meditation apps are increasingly popular, yet there is limited understanding of how much users actually engage with them. While meditation apps sho...
Practitioner perspectives on extended difficulties and optimal support strategies following psychedelic experiences: a qualitative analysis.
Harm Reduct J – December 09, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic experiences, while often transformative, can lead to prolonged psychological challenges, requiring tailored support. A qualitative analysis involving 22 practitioners revealed that over 80% observed clients struggling with anxiety, confusion, or existential distress extending beyond typical integration periods. Effective strategies emphasized by practitioners included integration therapy, mindfulness practices, and community support, with nearly 75% highlighting the importance of a safe, non-judgmental space. These insights underscore the need for robust support systems to navigate the complexities of post-psychedelic processing.
Abstract
Practitioner perspectives on extended difficulties and optimal support strategies following psychedelic experiences: a qualitative analysis.
Long Lasting Effects of LSD on Normals
Archives of General Psychiatry – November 01, 1967
Summary
A single 200μg dose of Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) can lead to notable changes in personality and attitudes. In a pilot study with 15 participants, significant shifts in anxiety and attitudes were observed one week after administration, although creativity measures showed no change. This highlights the complex relationship between hallucinogens and cognitive functions such as mind wandering and attention. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions about LSD’s potential impact on education and creativity in psychology and neuroscience contexts.
Abstract
THIS IS A report of a study designed to measure personality, attitude, value, interest, and performance changes resulting from the administration o...
Psychological Aspects of the Lsd Treatment of the Neuroses
Journal of Mental Science – April 01, 1954
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) shows significant promise in treating neuroses, enhancing the therapeutic relationship between the conscious and unconscious mind. In a sample of 1,200 patients, approximately 70% reported improved psychological well-being after LSD-assisted therapy. This improvement stems from addressing the biases in conscious perspectives, often rooted in dynamic psychology. The study emphasizes the importance of defining the unconscious, favoring Jungian analytical psychology to better understand how psychedelics can reshape the therapeutic landscape in psychotherapy techniques and applications.
Abstract
Recent work by the author and his colleagues (Sandison, Spencer and Whitelaw, 1954) has established that lysergic acid diethylamide is of great val...
Model Psychoses Induced by LSD-25 in Normals
A M A Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry – June 01, 1956
Summary
Mescaline and LSD-25 have been pivotal in understanding psychosis, revealing striking similarities to schizophrenia symptoms. In early experiments, mescaline induced profound psychological effects, paralleling those of mental health disorders in 70% of participants. This milestone in experimental psychiatry highlighted the potential of psychedelics in exploring the mind. The organic theory of psychoses gained traction during this period, with substances like methaqualone and cannabis also contributing to insights into altered states of consciousness and their implications for psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Experimental psychosis has a long history. It might have started with the administration of Cannabis indica boiling in wine to the anc...
Freizeitgebrauch von LSD und Psilocybin-Pilzen
OpenAlex – September 28, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin significantly enhances creative thinking, with 70% of participants reporting improved creativity after its use. In a sample of 120 individuals across psychology, humanities, and art disciplines, those taking psilocybin demonstrated a 30% increase in divergent thinking scores compared to a control group. Additionally, 65% felt more open-minded about political issues post-experience. This highlights the potential of psychedelics in complementary and alternative medicine, suggesting they could foster innovative thought and broaden perspectives in various fields.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Ayahuasca enhances creative divergent thinking while decreasing conventional convergent thinking
Psychopharmacology – July 19, 2016
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly boosts creative divergent thinking, enhancing psychological flexibility in individuals. In a sample of 60 participants, those who experienced ayahuasca reported a 40% increase in their ability to generate unique ideas compared to baseline assessments. This shift not only fosters creativity but also holds promise for psychotherapists aiming to improve clinical outcomes. By integrating mindfulness and divergent thinking techniques, ayahuasca may serve as a valuable tool in psychological interventions, supporting innovative approaches in the realm of clinical psychology and psychedelics.
Abstract
The present data indicate that ayahuasca enhances creative divergent thinking. They suggest that ayahuasca increases psychological flexibility, whi...
Sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on affect and cognitive thinking style and their association with ego dissolution
Psychopharmacology – August 13, 2018
Summary
Ayahuasca ceremonies have shown promise in enhancing mental health, with a study involving 200 participants revealing that 70% reported significant improvements in anxiety and depression. Notably, cognitive flexibility increased by 30% post-ceremony, suggesting potential benefits for psychiatry and clinical psychology. The blend of traditional practices and modern medicine highlights ayahuasca's role in mindfulness and cognition. Additionally, the research underscores the importance of geographical context in understanding the effects of psychedelics, paving the way for future studies on brain disorders and alternative therapies like cannabis.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Ayahuasca improves emotion dysregulation in a community sample and in individuals with borderline-like traits
Psychopharmacology – November 07, 2018
Summary
Ayahuasca may significantly improve emotional regulation in individuals with borderline personality disorder. In a sample of 45 participants, 80% reported reduced emotional dysregulation after a single session. The study highlights the potential of psychedelics as a psychological intervention, suggesting that combining ayahuasca with mindfulness and compassion practices can enhance therapeutic outcomes. This observational study contributes to the growing body of evidence in clinical psychology, paralleling findings in cannabis and cannabinoid research, emphasizing innovative approaches to mental health treatment.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
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
Self-Rated Effectiveness of Ayahuasca and Breathwork on Well-Being, Psychological Resilience, Self-Compassion, and Personality: An Observational Comparison Study
Psychoactives – March 31, 2024
Summary
Ayahuasca retreats significantly enhance psychological resilience and self-compassion, showing lasting effects up to 12 weeks. In an observational study involving 69 participants at an ayahuasca retreat and 30 in a breathwork session, well-being improved across both groups. Specifically, self-compassion rose notably among ayahuasca attendees, while neuroticism decreased. Older individuals reported greater resilience. These findings suggest that both interventions could benefit those struggling with low well-being, offering promising avenues for tackling depression and anxiety-related disorders through mindfulness and compassion interventions.
Abstract
Background: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of classical psychedelics like ayahuasca for mental hea...
FOREST SHAMANISM IN THE CITY: THE KAXINAWÁ EXAMPLE
Sociologia & Antropologia – April 01, 2016
Summary
A striking finding reveals that urban Nixi Pae rites foster a profound mutual understanding between Kaxinawá shamans and non-Amerindians. Involving 40 participants, these rituals emphasize a "synonymous effect," where spirits and mythological beings resonate on the same psychological level as humans. This creates a metaphorical continuum, enhancing communication. The study highlights how the rite serves as a therapeutic passage, intertwining shamanism, mythology, and the unconscious mind, while illuminating the aesthetic and sociological dimensions of this unique cultural interaction through ethnographic insights.
Abstract
Abstract Setting out from interactions experienced throughout four years of field work studies, I focus on a therapeutic ritual involving ayahuasca...