The ego in psychedelic drug action – ego defenses, ego boundaries, and the therapeutic role of regression
Frontiers in Neuroscience October 6, 2023 Tobias Buchborn, Hannes S. Kettner, Laura Kärtner et al. 21 citations
The ego is central to psychedelic research and therapy but remains poorly defined. This theoretical review examines the ego through a psychodynamic lens, focusing on ego boundaries, defenses, and synthesis. Psychedelics can induce regressed ego states with reduced defenses, allowing early-life conflicts that created maladaptive patterns to emerge. The authors argue that lasting change requires psycholytic therapy to permeate the characterological core—the chronic, habitual patterns the ego uses to cope—not just transient ego regression. Emotional integration of formative early events is key to reshaping rigid character and defenses, aiming for more flexible ego patterns. This approach is compatible with third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies.