Front Psychol
July 15, 2022
Gabriele Penazzi, Nicola De Pisapia
16 citations
Hypnosis and meditation share some features in how they feel and in brain activity, but it is unclear whether they are fundamentally the same or different. A review of studies that directly compare them finds some evidence for differences and other evidence for similarities, yet such experiments are scarce and no consensus exists. Comparing the two could illuminate how attention, metacognition, and executive control shape consciousness, but research is still in its early stages.
Frontiers in Psychology
April 25, 2025
Antonio Metastasio, Elisabeth Prevete, Sofia Venturini et al.
8 citations
People who took psilocybin without other substances reported lasting increases in emotional sensitivity, empathy, and connection to others, along with deeper insights into their lives and values. The experience also led to profound shifts in behavior, attitudes, and interests, suggesting psilocybin can catalyze personal growth. This qualitative study used phenomenological methods to systematically describe the subjective psychedelic experience, aiming to inform its integration into psychotherapy.
The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology
January 1, 2026
Nicola De Pisapia
Mindfulness, originally a Buddhist contemplative practice, has been adapted into Western psychology, neuroscience, education, and clinical work. This chapter examines its philosophical and cultural roots, along with debates about its secularization and reduction to a technique. Drawing on neurophenomenology, enactivism, and cultural psychology, it reframes mindfulness as both mental training and a culturally embedded existential stance that can reshape psychological models of consciousness and well-being. Critiques address its decontextualization and functional reductionism, while its potential to influence individuals and society is considered.