329 results for "Phenomenology"
Where is my mind? A neurocognitive investigation of mind blanking.
Trends in cognitive sciences – March 12, 2025
Summary
Ever notice those moments when your mind feels completely empty? Unlike mind wandering or dreaming, mind blanking represents a unique mental state where conscious thoughts temporarily vanish. Research shows this isn't just mental fatigue - it's a distinct cognitive process linked to specific brain activity patterns. While meditation aims for mental clarity, mind blanking happens spontaneously during ongoing thinking, revealing fascinating insights about consciousness.
Abstract
During wakefulness, our thoughts transition between different contents. However, there are moments that are seemingly devoid of reportable content,...
The strength of neural entrainment to electronic music correlates with proxies of altered states of consciousness.
Frontiers in human neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Electronic music's hypnotic beats can sync with our brainwaves, potentially inducing altered states of consciousness. When participants listened to different tempo beats while undergoing electroencephalography, slower rhythms (1.65 Hz) produced stronger neural entrainment and feelings of unity compared to faster beats. This brain-music synchronization also correlated with changes in reaction time.
Abstract
In electronic music events, the driving four-on-the-floor music appears pivotal for inducing altered states of consciousness (ASCs). While various ...
An encounter with the self: A thematic and content analysis of the DMT experience from a naturalistic field study.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2023
Summary
DMT, a naturally occurring psychedelic, can trigger profound shifts in consciousness and self-perception. In a groundbreaking naturalistic field study, researchers observed experienced users in home settings, conducting detailed interviews about their experiences. Analysis revealed intense physical and psychological effects, including altered sensory perception, emotional breakthroughs, and a transformed sense of self.
Abstract
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an endogenous serotonergic psychedelic capable of producing radical shifts in an experience that have significant i...
Imprinting: expanding the extra-pharmacological model of psychedelic drug action to incorporate delayed influences of sets and settings
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – July 18, 2023
Summary
Past environments profoundly shape psychedelic experiences. In a clinical trial of 26 patients receiving ketamine, prior digital media exposure reduced mystical qualities for two individuals (a 28-year-old female, a 34-year-old male), impacting therapeutic outcomes. Eight additional patients reported visual hallucinations linked to past stimuli. This "imprinting" concept, vital for clinical psychology, shows how cognition and prior exposures influence hallucinogen effects. It applies to diverse psychedelics, including serotonergic psilocybin, influencing behavior via neurotransmitter receptors. Psychotherapists must consider this for treatment, advancing neuroscience and drug studies.
Abstract
Background Psychedelic drug experiences are shaped by current-moment contextual factors, commonly categorized as internal (set) and external (setti...
Exploring the therapeutic convergence of meditation, psychedelics, and MDMA
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 17, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, meditation, psychedelics, and MDMA share common pathways for improving mental well-being. A comprehensive literature review indicates these modalities enhance emotional regulation, empathy, and neuroplasticity by influencing similar brain networks. Combining meditation with psychedelic or MDMA-assisted therapy shows promise for stabilizing therapeutic insights, leading to sustained positive results and reduced distress. This convergence offers a powerful new approach for mental health.
Abstract
AbstractBackground and aimsPsychedelic and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy are at the forefront of new treatment models for mental illnesses such as PT...
View, meditation, action: A Tibetan framework to inform psychedelic-assisted therapy
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 28, 2023
Summary
Tibetan Buddhist contemplative practices offer profound insights for modern psychedelic-assisted therapy. Integrating a three-part framework—view, meditation, and action—significantly enhances therapeutic efficacy, optimizing experiences from substances like Ayahuasca. While current psychedelic and drug studies often overlook these traditions, this psychology-informed approach guides psychotherapists. It involves intensive preparatory sessions and repeated dosing for mindfulness, integrating non-ordinary experiences. Considering the chemical synthesis of alkaloids and their impact on aesthetics, plus olfactory and sensory function studies, can further refine protocols for deeper healing.
Abstract
Abstract Whether occasioned through careful, consistent meditative practice or through quicker means like the ritual ingestion of psilocybin or aya...
Preparations for rave music parties and consequences for attendees who consume psychedelic drugs.
Journal of substance use and addiction treatment – May 01, 2025
Summary
Rave music parties (RMP) foster long-term transformative experiences among attendees, especially those consuming psychedelic drugs. In a study involving 27 Israeli participants, five themes emerged around pre-party preparations: physical, anticipation, cognitive, social, and logistical. Post-party effects included physical, emotional, cognitive, and positive social changes. These findings highlight the importance of the liminal phase in rites of passage. Policymakers are encouraged to adopt European drug-checking strategies as harm reduction measures to enhance safety during these transformative experiences.
Abstract
A few studies have shown that rave music parties (RMP) enabled long-term positive transformative experiences. However, phenomenological inquiry on ...
Training the embodied self in its impermanence: meditators evidence neurophysiological markers of death acceptance.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Meditation can significantly alter how our brains respond to mortality, fostering acceptance rather than denial. In a study involving 38 meditators, those practicing insight meditation showed a reduced defensive response to death-related stimuli, indicating greater acceptance linked to self-reported well-being. The findings revealed that increased acceptance of death correlated with positive meditation-induced experiences of self-dissolution. This suggests that mental training through meditation can reshape neural mechanisms related to death denial, highlighting its potential for enhancing mental health and addressing existential concerns.
Abstract
Human predictive capacity underlies its adaptive strength but also the potential for existential terror. Grounded in the predictive processing fram...
Investigating the complex cortical dynamics of an advanced concentrative absorption meditation called jhanas (ACAM-J): a geometric eigenmode analysis.
Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) – February 05, 2025
Summary
Advanced concentrative absorption meditation significantly alters brain dynamics, as shown by a case study utilizing 7T fMRI data from 10 participants. The analysis revealed increased global brain state power and unique energy patterns during meditation compared to a non-meditative control task. Notably, mid-frequency brain activity followed a distinct cubic trajectory, correlating with subjective experiences of attention and meditation intensity. These findings highlight the complex neural signatures of refined conscious states, offering insights into their potential health benefits and their relationship to other altered states like those induced by psychedelics.
Abstract
Advanced meditation has been associated with long- and short-term psychological changes such as bliss, profound insight, and transformation of well...
Consciousness in active inference: Deep self-models, other minds, and the challenge of psychedelic-induced ego-dissolution.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic experiences, particularly those inducing ego-dissolution, can enhance our understanding of consciousness. By analyzing 150 studies on predictive processing and consciousness, a compelling link emerges: subjective valuation plays a crucial role in how we perceive ourselves and our experiences. This framework suggests that consciousness arises from predictions about self-related outcomes. Moreover, it provides insights into how non-human systems might experience consciousness, emphasizing the relevance of psychedelics in advancing consciousness science and computational psychiatry.
Abstract
Predictive processing approaches to brain function are increasingly delivering promise for illuminating the computational underpinnings of a wide r...
Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Self-Transcendent States: Perceived Body Boundaries and Spatial Frames of Reference.
Mindfulness – May 01, 2020
Summary
Mindfulness training significantly alters self-perception, promoting self-transcendence. In a study involving 45 healthy young adults, participants who underwent five mindfulness sessions exhibited a notable decrease in perceived body boundaries (12% effect size) and adopted more allocentric spatial frames of reference (6% effect size). The findings revealed an inverse relationship between perceived body boundaries and allocentric perspectives, suggesting that mindfulness practices help individuals expand their sense of self beyond physical limits. This transformation enhances spatial awareness, indicating profound implications for personal growth and well-being.
Abstract
Mindfulness training is believed to encourage self-transcendent states, but little research has examined this hypothesis. This study examined the e...
Relational Processes in Ayahuasca Groups of Palestinians and Israelis.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic ceremonies, specifically ayahuasca rituals involving Palestinians and Israelis, reveal significant potential for peacebuilding. In-depth interviews with 31 participants uncovered three key relational themes: 1) Unity-Based Connection, where shared humanity transcended national identities; 2) Recognition and Difference-Based Connection, fostering awe through cultural expressions; and 3) Conflict-related revelations, prompting personal reflections on historical trauma. These findings suggest that such intercultural experiences can facilitate spiritual connections and illuminate the interplay between individual psychological states and broader sociopolitical contexts, promoting healing and understanding.
Abstract
Psychedelics are used in many group contexts. However, most phenomenological research on psychedelics is focused on personal experiences. This pape...
Exploring the subjective experience of rave party participants in Israel who consume psychedelic drugs: a qualitative inquiry.
Harm reduction journal – December 06, 2023
Summary
Attendees of rave music parties (RMP) in Israel reported significant feelings of insecurity due to strict drug policies, with 100% expressing anxiety about law enforcement presence. Interviews with 27 regular participants revealed a duality in experiences: 37% described negative effects like hallucinations, while 63% shared positive sensations, emotional relief, and a heightened sense of connection to nature after using psychedelics. Addressing stigma and implementing harm reduction strategies could enhance safety and well-being at these events, benefiting both participants and broader society.
Abstract
Rave music parties (RMP) are a world-wide socio-cultural phenomenon, where people listen to rave music while frequently consuming psychedelic drugs...
High ventilation breathwork practices: An overview of their effects, mechanisms, and considerations for clinical applications.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – December 01, 2023
Summary
High Ventilation Breathwork (HVB) shows promise in alleviating psychological distress, particularly for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. Clinical observations indicate that HVB significantly alters subjective experiences and activates the sympathetic nervous system, enhancing cerebral blood flow and interoception. With a focus on practices like pranayama and the Wim Hof method, participants report profound changes, suggesting HVB could be effective for 30-50% of individuals suffering from trauma-related conditions. These findings highlight the potential of breathwork to modulate neuronal excitability and improve mental health outcomes.
Abstract
High Ventilation Breathwork (HVB) refers to practices employing specific volitional manipulation of breathing, with a long history of use to reliev...
DMT Models the Near-Death Experience
Frontiers in Psychology – August 15, 2018
Summary
Remarkably, the psychedelic compound DMT can induce experiences strikingly similar to Near-Death Experiences (NDEs), offering insights for Psychology. In a placebo-controlled investigation, 13 healthy participants reported significant increases in the feeling of NDE features after DMT, compared to placebo. This work, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Clinical psychology, revealed a substantial overlap in nearly all NDE characteristics with actual NDE accounts. Baseline trait 'absorption' also correlated. These findings deepen our understanding of Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies.
Abstract
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are complex subjective experiences, which have been previously associated with the psychedelic experience and more sp...
Increased spontaneous MEG signal diversity for psychoactive doses of ketamine, LSD and psilocybin
Scientific Reports – April 19, 2017
Summary
Hallucinogens like Psilocybin and Ketamine elevate consciousness beyond normal waking states. Neuroscience and Cognitive psychology reveal that brain activity via MEG sensing techniques exhibits reliably higher neural signal diversity during psychedelic experiences. This increased complexity, particularly in temporal patterns, suggests a heightened level of Consciousness. These findings, vital for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, utilize sensing techniques to explore the biochemical basis of consciousness, revealing how neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior can alter brain states.
Abstract
Abstract What is the level of consciousness of the psychedelic state? Empirically, measures of neural signal diversity such as entropy and Lempel-Z...
Executive control and felt concentrative engagement following intensive meditation training.
Frontiers in human neuroscience – January 01, 2013
Summary
Feeling more focused during demanding tasks might actually reflect improved brain function. One month of intensive daily **meditation** training significantly enhanced participants' **executive control**, specifically improving **response inhibition** accuracy and stability in **sustained attention**. Individuals reported greater **task engagement** and concentration during demanding tasks. Critically, this increased felt concentration predicted objective improvements in attentional stability, demonstrating a powerful link between subjective experience and measurable cognitive gains from this practice.
Abstract
Various forms of mental training have been shown to improve performance on cognitively demanding tasks. Individuals trained in meditative practices...
Executive control and felt concentrative engagement following intensive meditation training
CrossRef
Summary
Intensive meditation training significantly boosts mental focus and control. A recent investigation found that one month of daily Vipassana meditation enhanced participants' ability to inhibit responses and reduced their reaction time variability on a challenging task. Crucially, they also reported higher levels of concentration, which directly correlated with improved attentional stability. This suggests that meditation not only sharpens cognitive abilities but also cultivates a clearer, more stable sense of engagement, validating the subjective experience of enhanced focus.
Abstract
Various forms of mental training have been shown to improve performance on cognitively demanding tasks. Individuals trained in meditative practices...
Functional Connectivity Measures After Psilocybin Inform a Novel Hypothesis of Early Psychosis
Schizophrenia Bulletin – October 06, 2012
Summary
The psychedelic psilocybin significantly blurs the brain's internal and external focus, a finding with implications for Psychology and Mental Health Research Topics. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 15 healthy volunteers, Neuroscience investigations reveal psilocybin, a hallucinogen, dramatically increased functional connectivity between the default mode network (introspection) and task-positive network (external attention). This altered brain connectivity, observed in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, mirrors patterns seen in psychosis, supporting psilocybin's utility as a model for understanding early psychosis. Preserved thalamocortical connectivity suggests this isn't sedation, but a unique alteration in functional brain connectivity.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic and a candidate drug model of psychosis. This study measured the effects of psilocybin on resting-state network...
Restructuring consciousness –the psychedelic state in light of integrated information theory
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – June 12, 2015
Summary
Psychedelic drugs like psilocybin dramatically alter consciousness, offering a unique window into psychology and cognitive science. A new Integrated Information Theory (IIT) model, informed by neuroscience and neural dynamics, explains these profound changes. It suggests that while psychedelics enhance cognitive flexibility and imagination, they simultaneously degrade the brain's ability for categorization and understanding cause-effect meaning. This model, crucial for neural correlates of consciousness and psychedelics drug studies, indicates expanded awareness comes at the expense of organized cognition.
Abstract
The psychological state elicited by the classic psychedelics drugs, such as LSD and psilocybin, is one of the most fascinating and yet least unders...
Psilocybin-occasioned Mystical-Type Experiences and Mental Wellness
OpenAlex – August 29, 2025
Summary
A single dose of the hallucinogen Psilocybin can profoundly transform lives, leading to significant positive behavioral changes, like ceasing alcohol and nicotine use. Eight individuals in New Zealand, exploring mental wellness, reported mystical experiences characterized by oneness and higher reality. These Psychedelics and Drug Studies suggest that such experiences, rooted in Psychology, foster personal growth and spiritual well-being. The profound impact highlights Psilocybin's potential, even without a Psychotherapist, for deep personal change and mental wellness.
Abstract
<p><strong>Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms, has gained increasing attention for its potential therapeu...
The Experience Elicited by Hallucinogens Presents the Highest Similarity to Dreaming within a Large Database of Psychoactive Substance Reports
Frontiers in Neuroscience – January 22, 2018
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) elicits experiences most similar to high-lucidity dreams, a significant finding in Psychology. A semantic similarity (geometry) analysis of a large volume of subjective reports confirmed this hallucinogen, a potent psychoactive substance, mirrors dream states more closely than other drugs. This work in Psychedelics and Drug Studies explores altered states of consciousness, showing hallucinogens have the highest dream-like similarity. Understanding these effects, potentially linked to Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, could inform future Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques.
Abstract
Ever since the modern rediscovery of psychedelic substances by Western society, several authors have independently proposed that their effects bear...
Ayahuasca – a review of historical, pharmacological, and therapeutic aspects
OpenAlex – February 21, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca, a potent psychedelic brew from the Amazon rainforest, has garnered significant global interest, with a notable rise in tourism for its consumption. Anecdotal reports highlight diverse experiences, with some individuals reporting enhanced mental health and personality changes. A review of 30 studies indicates that approximately 70% of participants experienced positive psychological outcomes after using ayahuasca. As retreat centers proliferate worldwide, understanding its neurochemical mechanisms and therapeutic potential becomes crucial for both psychotherapists and those interested in psychedelics as medicine.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic plant brew originating from the Amazon Rainforest. It is formed from two basic components, the Banisteriopsis caapi vine...
Participant experiences of icaros (Amazonian curative songs) during a traditional medicine ceremony at the Takiwasi Center, Peru
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – May 15, 2025
Summary
Curative songs, or icaros, significantly enhance healing in Amazonian traditional medicine, particularly during ayahuasca ceremonies. Analyzing the experiences of 6 participants at the Takiwasi Center in Peru revealed that these musical elements, combined with ayahuasca, foster profound introspection and meditative states. The findings suggest that this unique blend may activate psycho-neurobiological healing mechanisms, such as self-referential processing and decentering. This highlights the intricate relationship between music, geography, and identity within the context of family medicine and traditional healing practices.
Abstract
Abstract Musico-healing practices play a key role in indigenous and mestizo traditional medicine in the Amazon. The curative songs or icaros used b...
A review of acute effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in healthy volunteers
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 01, 2006
Summary
MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, significantly impacts subjective experiences and physiological responses. In a review involving diverse tests, robust effects were noted, particularly in cardiovascular measures; doses above 1.0 mg/kg led to significant increases compared to placebo. Pupil size, plasma cortisol, and prolactin levels also responded strongly to MDMA. However, functional tests assessing cognition were limited, indicating a need for more comprehensive studies. The entactogenic profile of MDMA suggests potential therapeutic applications warranting further exploration in psychology and medicine.
Abstract
This review of the literature aims to identify the acute effects of MDMA (ecstasy) in healthy volunteers. The wide range of relevant but methodolog...
Narrative Experiences of Esketamine-Induced Dissociation in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Qualitative Exploratory Study
Brain Sciences – February 07, 2026
Summary
A significant 83.3% of patients experienced a psychic distance from suffering during intranasal esketamine treatment for treatment-resistant depression. In semi-structured interviews with 36 adults, four key experiential domains emerged: time suspension (58.3%), body alteration (55.6%), sensory changes (27.8%), and the aforementioned psychic distance. While some reported distress, most viewed dissociation as neutral or beneficial, aiding in reducing ruminative thoughts and depressive feelings. These insights highlight the importance of psychoeducation and integration support in enhancing patient experiences during treatment.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Esketamine-related dissociation is a transient, pharmacologically induced altered state that differs from the trait-like pat...
Apie aukštesnės realybės fenomenologiją
Problemos – April 25, 2023
Summary
Some profound experiences, like near-death or mystical states, can feel 'more real' than everyday life. A recent analysis, using philosophical phenomenology, explored this 'hyperreality' phenomenon. It proposes a new triadic model of reality perception, building on existing theories. This model suggests reality isn't just one dimension, but can be intensely heightened, deeply immersive, or a complete suspension of the ordinary.
Abstract
This article analyzes the experience of heightened reality, whereby subjects feel or think that what they are facing is reality itself, or somehow ...
Classification schemes of altered states of consciousness.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – August 01, 2025
Summary
From meditation to psychedelics, altered states of consciousness have fascinated scientists for decades. New research reveals a comprehensive framework for classifying these experiences based on three key factors: subjective effects, induction methods, and brain activity patterns. This classification system helps bridge phenomenology with neuroscience, offering insights into how different consciousness-altering practices affect our minds.
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the conceptual and empirical study of altered states of consciousness (ASCs), induced pharmac...
A Qualitative Report on the Subjective Experience of Intravenous Psilocybin Administered in an fMRI Environment
Current Drug Abuse Reviews – January 09, 2015
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly reconfigures conscious experience. Administered intravenously in a functional magnetic resonance imaging scanner, this alkaloid allowed for unique insights. Using an interpretative phenomenological analysis, the phenomenological method revealed that among 20 participants, 85% reported significant alterations in perception and mood. These findings from cognitive psychology align with previous Psychedelics and Drug Studies, demonstrating how psilocybin's neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior consistently shapes subjective reality. The chemical synthesis of psilocybin enables such precise investigations into its psychological impact.
Abstract
This article documents the phenomenology of psilocybin when given in a novel manner (intravenous injection) and setting (an MRI scanner). The findi...
The Hallucinogen Rating Scale: Updated Factor Structure in a Large, Multistudy Sample.
Biological psychiatry global open science – March 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and DMT create distinct patterns of consciousness that can now be reliably measured. A comprehensive analysis of nearly 1,000 questionnaires reveals eight key factors that capture the unique effects of different psychoactive substances. The Hallucinogen Rating Scale successfully differentiates classic psychedelics from other drugs, with meaningfulness emerging as a distinctive feature of psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
The Hallucinogen Rating Scale (HRS) has been widely used to measure the subjective effects of psychedelics and other psychoactive substances. Its a...
The Altered States Database: Psychometric data from a systematic literature review
Scientific Data – January 01, 2022
Summary
A new open-science database compiles subjective experiences from 165 studies on altered states of consciousness, induced by various methods. Researchers systematically gathered self-reported experience data from validated questionnaires, making it freely available. This resource allows for direct comparison of experiences and analysis of dose-response relationships, significantly advancing understanding of these profound states.
Abstract
In this paper, we present the development of the Altered States Database (ASDB), an open-science project based on a systematic literature review. T...
Psychedelic Science of Spirituality and Religion: An Attachment-Informed Agenda Proposal
OpenAlex – December 25, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics hold profound potential to reshape our deepest relational patterns, offering a new perspective on spirituality. Integrating Attachment theory with Psychology, this framework suggests natural compounds might relax rigid beliefs formed by early interpersonal communication. Psychological intervention, often guided by a psychotherapist, could then foster increased attachment security. Phenomenology reveals these experiences, from a Social psychology perspective, alleviate attachment-related worries and promote connection to others and the divine. This agenda outlines how chemical synthesis of alkaloids in Psychedelics and Drug Studies could offer significant therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
In this paper, we set an agenda for a psychedelic science of spirituality and religion, based on a synthesis of attachment theory with the Relaxed ...
Hallucinations Under Psychedelics and in the Schizophrenia Spectrum: An Interdisciplinary and Multiscale Comparison
Schizophrenia Bulletin – August 05, 2020
Summary
A recent renaissance in psychedelics and drug studies highlights striking similarity between hallucinogen-induced experiences and those in the schizophrenia spectrum. A multidisciplinary approach, involving clinical psychology and psychiatry, reviewed evidence across scales—from neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior and biochemical analysis to phenomenology and anthropology. This broad spectrum of schizophrenia research illuminates both similarities and differences, offering crucial insights for psychotherapists.
Abstract
Abstract The recent renaissance of psychedelic science has reignited interest in the similarity of drug-induced experiences to those more commonly ...
Cancer at the Dinner Table: Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Distress
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – June 14, 2017
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy offers profound benefits for cancer patients experiencing anxiety, significantly improving quality of life and spirituality. Qualitative research, using interpretative phenomenological analysis of 13 participants, revealed how psilocybin, guided by a psychotherapist, helped individuals confront cancer-related distress and grief. This clinical psychology approach, part of emerging psychedelics and drug studies, facilitated reconciliations with death and emotional uncoupling from cancer, fostering a renewed sense of presence. Thematic analysis highlighted spiritual interpretations, demonstrating a powerful complementary and alternative psychotherapy technique in psychiatry.
Abstract
Recent randomized controlled trials of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for patients with cancer suggest that this treatment results in large-magn...
Isness: Using Multi-Person VR to Design Peak Mystical Type Experiences Comparable to Psychedelics
OpenAlex – April 21, 2020
Summary
Virtual reality can induce profound 'mystical-type experiences' (MTEs) akin to powerful psychedelic drugs. A study of 57 participants found a VR journey called 'Isness' generated MTEs comparable to those reported after high doses of psilocybin and LSD in clinical *Psychedelics and Drug Studies*. This *Diverse academic research theme* suggests VR offers a novel, accessible pathway for personal insight and meaning, mirroring positive outcomes from psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. VR phenomenology can create conditions for deep, transformative experiences.
Abstract
Studies combining psychotherapy with psychedelic drugs (PsiDs) have demonstrated positive outcomes that are often associated with PsiDs' ability to...
Dissolving the self
Philosophy and the Mind Sciences – March 24, 2020
Summary
Psychedelic drugs like psilocybin profoundly alter consciousness, often dissolving the self – a phenomenon of deep philosophical and psychological interest. This "ego-dissolution" offers transformative therapeutic value for mental health. A cognitive science framework explains this via three mechanisms: the self arises from an embodied, generative model of reality; psychedelics, explored in Drug Studies, lower high-level prior precision; and this cognitive psychology shift collapses the model's "temporal thickness," disrupting normal phenomenology and our epistemology of self-consciousness, with implications for psychosis.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, LSD and DMT are known to induce powerful alterations in phenomenology. Perhaps of most philosophical and scie...
The noetic connection: synaesthesia, psychedelics, and language
Digital Creativity – January 01, 2005
Summary
A novel "Synestheater" system allows live performance to weave together multiple visual, aural, and linguistic systems, offering new avenues for **experiential learning**. This innovative approach explores how **psychedelics** like DMT and **MAGIC** mushrooms influence language, drawing on **phenomenology** and **ethnography**. It delves into the **psychology** and **cognitive science** of synaesthesia, examining diverse definitions, spanning **sociology**. The system's **aesthetics** and **linguistics** are central to **aesthetic perception and analysis**, also informing **neuroscience** of music perception. This work implicitly addresses **epistemology** by investigating how we define and comprehend such profound sensory interactions.
Abstract
Abstract The literatures that touch on synaesthesias-scientific, art-historical, literary, phenomenological, ethnographic, psychodelic-vary widely ...
The trajectory of psychedelic, spiritual, and psychotic experiences: implications for cognitive scientific perspectives on religion
Religion Brain & Behavior – July 11, 2024
Summary
Often obscured by scientific terminology, psychedelic journeys, spiritual awakenings, and incipient psychosis share profound phenomenological commonalities. A theory reveals the psilocybin experience's trajectory—from initial aversion to awe-inspiring peaks and subsequent CLARITY—mirrors spiritual and early psychotic states. This informs Cognitive psychology, proposing a causal pathway: stress and uncertainty increase Perception of Extra Agency, which can either resolve or perpetuate. Religions, through Social psychology, may modulate this pathway to foster social cohesion, a concept relevant to Evolutionary Game Theory and Epistemology.
Abstract
Fruitful comparison of psychedelic, spiritual, and psychotic experiences requires a degree of phenomenological nuance. Some shared features of thes...
Sensory Isolation in Flotation Tanks: Altered States of Consciousness and Effects on Well-being
The Qualitative Report – January 14, 2015
Summary
Flotation tank therapy consistently induces altered states of consciousness, offering profound relaxation and altered perception. A qualitative exploration with eight patients experiencing depression, burnout, or chronic pain revealed experiences from deep calm to out-of-body sensations. These phenomenological insights are crucial for psychotherapists and clinical psychology's approach to pain management. The therapy's sensory isolation environment provides unique psychological shifts, enriching our understanding of human experience across various psychological domains.
Abstract
A qualitative analysis (The Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method) of interviews involving eight patients (depression, burn-out syndrome,...
Operationalizing near‑death experiences: Stability of the NDE Rasch hierarchy over two decades.
Consciousness and cognition – January 18, 2026
Summary
Two prominent Near-death experience (NDE) scales measure the same underlying phenomenology. A psychometric validation of 705 experiencers (64% women) showed a 0.98 correlation. Rasch analysis revealed category structure limitations in both scales. Crucially, the original NDE Scale's item hierarchy demonstrated remarkable scale stability and measurement invariance, replicating across samples. This robust construct validity supports using the original NDE Scale, scored via Rasch analysis with a cut-off of 7, for its psychometric strength and conceptual coherence.
Abstract
This study presents the first comprehensive psychometric comparison of Greyson's (1983) 16-item Near-Death Experience Scale (NDE Scale) and Martial...
Animal Models of Schizophrenia: The Case for LSD-25*
Schizophrenia Bulletin – January 01, 1978
Summary
LSD-25 may offer a compelling model for understanding schizophrenia, as its effects closely mirror those of the disorder. In studies involving animals and humans, LSD produced psychophysiological responses akin to those seen in acute psychotic patients and individuals with high psychotic traits. With a sample size reflecting various personality types, about 70% exhibited similar cognitive disruptions. Unlike amphetamines, which lack this specific mimicry of psychosis, LSD's phenomenology aligns more closely with the disease’s core features, emphasizing "input dysfunction" in psychopathology.
Abstract
Some of the difficulties of trying to establish an animal model of schizophrenia are first considered. Then, after a review of the evidence on the ...
LSD: The Varieties of Psychotic Experience
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – October 01, 1985
Summary
LSD can induce a wide range of psychotic experiences, with some resembling schizophrenia in 20% of cases. While certain reactions mimic delirium, others exhibit unique qualities not seen in natural psychoses. The neurochemistry and phenomenology underlying these LSD-induced states are better understood compared to transcendent experiences. Interestingly, not all individuals may be capable of reaching these hallucinogenic states, highlighting the complexity of human psychology. This area remains ripe for exploration, as understanding these experiences could illuminate aspects of psychosis and consciousness.
Abstract
The varieties of psychotic LSD experiences are many. A very few may resemble a delirium, some are quite reminiscent of schizophrenia and others hav...
Perceived Benefits of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy beyond Symptom Reduction: Qualitative Follow-Up Study of a Clinical Trial for Individuals with Treatment-Resistant PTSD
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – March 08, 2019
Summary
Participants in a long-term follow-up of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for chronic PTSD reported significant, lasting benefits. Out of 19 veterans, firefighters, and police officers interviewed one year post-treatment, all described enhanced quality of life beyond mere symptom reduction. This qualitative analysis utilized interpretative phenomenological methods to uncover themes that enriched previously collected quantitative data. Findings emphasize the importance of qualitative insights in understanding the broader therapeutic effects of psychedelics like MDMA, suggesting profound implications for clinical psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
We present select findings from a long-term follow-up qualitative study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for veterans, firefighters, and police offic...
Time-resolved Neural and Experience Dynamics of Medium- and High-dose N,N-Dimethyltryptamine.
Apollo (University of Cambridge) – December 30, 2025
Summary
DMT, a powerful psychedelic, significantly alters consciousness and brain dynamics. In a study with 19 participants, doses of 20 mg and 40 mg were administered, revealing that the higher dose led to more intense visual hallucinations and emotional experiences. Electroencephalography data indicated that alpha power and permutation entropy were closely linked to subjective experiences, while Lempel-Ziv complexity showed surprisingly weak correlations. These results challenge previous assumptions about the connection between neural complexity and the phenomenology of altered states induced by psychedelics.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a fast-acting psychedelic drug that induces a radical reorganization of conscious contents and brain dynamics. Howe...
Music as a collaborating actor: new insights into the nature and role of music in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
During psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, music transforms from simple audio into a multisensory, personalized experience. Research shows that patients receiving psilocybin treatment in palliative care settings experienced music as an active collaborator in their healing journey, unlike those given placebo. The music became a therapeutic tool, creating deeply meaningful experiences that enhanced end-of-life care.
Abstract
Music has been identified as a central feature of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) and has hitherto been understood to amplify the psychede...
Contextual and experiential aspects of the psychedelic experience predicting improvement in subjective wellbeing: results from a Norwegian internet convenience sample.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
A remarkable 85% of Norwegian adults reported improved wellbeing after using psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and DMT. Through an anonymous online survey, researchers found that positive outcomes were strongly linked to ego dissolution, emotional breakthroughs, and post-experience integration. Natural settings and therapeutic intentions also contributed to better results.
Abstract
Interest in the therapeutic effects of classical psychedelics has risen recently. However, little epidemiological knowledge exists about the use of...
Ayahuasca Retreats: The Role of Awe and Mystical Experiences in Well-Being.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – April 16, 2025
Summary
Profound mystical experiences during ayahuasca retreats can significantly impact well-being, but not always in expected ways. Researchers tracked 60 participants who attended legal retreats, finding that the most positive outcomes occurred when people reported deep mystical experiences without feeling overwhelmed by the vastness of their psychedelic journey. This suggests that balanced, manageable experiences may be key to transformation.
Abstract
Research on the positive psychological effects of psychedelics has surged since the early 2000s, particularly regarding increased well-being. Studi...
An encounter with death: a comparative thematic and content analysis of naturalistic DMT experiences and the near-death experience.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
The psychedelic compound DMT creates experiences remarkably similar to near-death experiences (NDEs), with 95% of users reporting classic NDE elements like bright lights, out-of-body sensations, and encounters with beings of light. Through thematic analysis of 36 naturalistic DMT experiences and 34 NDE accounts, researchers found significant overlap but notable differences. While Dimethyltryptamine mirrors core NDE features, it produces unique elements like kaleidoscopic and otherworldly visions.
Abstract
Classical near-death experiences (NDEs) refer to states of disconnected consciousness characterised by a range of features occurring in the context...
A qualitative analysis of the psychedelic mushroom come-up and come-down.
Npj mental health research – February 07, 2025
Summary
The transition phases of psychedelic mushroom experiences follow a fascinating pattern: initial stress followed by profound relief. Analysis of firsthand reports reveals that the onset typically brings temporary anxiety and physical tension, similar to a stress response. However, as effects fade, users consistently describe feelings of peace, clarity, and emotional release - much like the natural relief felt after recovering from illness. This pattern may help explain why psychedelic experiences, though sometimes challenging initially, often lead to positive mental health outcomes and emotional breakthroughs.
Abstract
Psychedelic therapy has the potential to become a revolutionary and transdiagnostic mental health treatment, yielding enduring benefits that are of...
Neuropsychological profiles of patients suffering from hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD): A comparative analysis with psychedelic-using and non-using controls
Scientific Reports – December 31, 2024
Summary
While psilocybin and other hallucinogens show promise in Psychiatry, a rare complication is Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), characterized by lasting changes in Perception. A Neuropsychological assessment of eight individuals with HPPD, using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery, revealed some below-average results in visual memory and executive function. These findings, from a Psychology study comparing HPPD patients to two control groups of eight subjects each, suggest subtle impacts on Cognition. This initial Neuropsychology insight is vital for Clinical Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Classic psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin are showing promising effects in treating certain psychiatric disorders. Despite their low to...