The Neuropeptidergic Modulation of Phenomenological Depth: A Review of Oxytocin’s Role in Facilitating States of Pure Consciousness
Preprints.org March 17, 2026 Yuki Ueda preprint
Oxytocin, a hormone involved in social bonding, may help create the brain conditions for non-dual awareness—a state of consciousness without intentional content. The review proposes that oxytocin down-regulates the amygdala and modulates the Default Mode Network, reducing self-referential processing and supporting ego-dissolution. This neuro-chemical substrate could explain how contemplative traditions achieve pure consciousness. The authors discuss ethical concerns about using neuro-pharmacology to influence meditative states and suggest future clinical applications for psychiatric disorders involving rigid self-narratives.