Interdisciplinary Science Reviews
January 1, 2023
Jeffrey A. Breau, Paul Gillis-Smith
8 citations
The Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), widely used in psychedelic research to assess mystical experiences, draws on philosopher Walter Stace's typology of mysticism. This article shows that Stace's typology was shaped by dialogue with major figures in modern, transnational Vedantic Hinduism, an influence that has been under-investigated. The authors demonstrate how these Vedantic approaches to religious experience are preserved in Stace's framework and, through the MEQ, embedded in contemporary psychedelic science. The article argues that scientists' insistence on the MEQ's theoretical rigor perpetuates Stace's interpretation of modern Vedantic ideas, linking science and religion in the field.
Anthropology of Consciousness
September 1, 2025
Jeffrey A. Breau, Paul Gillis‐Smith, Tara Deonauth
2 citations
A university teaching hospital developed the Ketamine Integration Chaplaincy (KIC) program, one of the first instances of a major hospital providing ketamine integration modeled on spiritual care. The program offers virtual, one-on-one support to patients receiving ketamine for treatment-resistant depression, who frequently report spiritual or religious experiences similar to those from classic psychedelics. From 2022 to 2025, the program supported 50 patients and trained four student chaplains. The article reviews ketamine-assisted psychotherapy literature and argues that contemporary hospital chaplaincy techniques are well-suited for these patients, detailing six chaplaincy competencies: nondirective presence, facilitating meaning-making, spiritually supportive listening, altered states support, ritual design, and community care.
PLoS One
May 29, 2026
Roman Palitsky, Caroline Peacock, Jeffrey A. Breau et al.
Psychedelic facilitation training in the US is an evolving field with common priorities and gaps. Interviews with representatives from 13 established and emerging training organizations revealed shared focuses on careful selection of trainees and faculty, content emphases in instruction, addressing spiritual and existential topics, and teaching strategies. Identified gaps include the need for continuing education for program graduates, parity with other disciplines, and development of field standards. The authors suggest that training programs and trainees would benefit from greater collaboration and ongoing exchange about best practices as the field adjusts to scientific, social, economic, and regulatory developments.