Journal of Psychopharmacology
April 1, 2021
Ari Brouwer, Robin Lester Carhart-Harris
147 citations
A new construct called the 'pivotal mental state' is defined as a hyper-plastic state that enables rapid and deep learning, potentially mediating psychological transformation. These states are argued to serve an evolutionary function, aiding adaptation when environmental pressures demand change. Chronic stress and neurotic traits are identified as primers, while acute stress can trigger the state. Activity at the serotonin 2A receptor, as seen with psychedelics, can robustly induce pivotal mental states, but the capacity for such states is proposed as an inherent property of the human brain. The model links increased serotonin 2A receptor signaling to a hyper-plastic brain state, enhanced associative learning, and psychological transformation.
Religion, Brain & Behavior
November 24, 2023
Ari Brouwer, Michael J. Winkelman, C. Raison
6 citations
Shamanism, a cross-cultural practice, reflects an innate capacity for altered states of consciousness (ASCs) that can be triggered by stress, sought in rituals, and resemble psychotic experiences. While shamanic sickness, animal transformation, and death-rebirth experiences parallel psychotic symptoms, the key difference is that psychotic experiences worsen under uncontrollable circumstances, whereas shamanic sickness improves through ritualized, controlled engagement with ASCs. When culturally accepted, shamanic vocation does not lead to deterioration but enhances functional capacity as a healer and guide. Shamanic training methods may inform strategies for promoting mental well-being.
Npj mental health research
February 7, 2025
Ari Brouwer, Joshua K Brown, Earth Erowid et al.
5 citations
Psychedelic therapy may work partly because of an overlooked temporal pattern: the initial 'come-up' phase often feels like an acute stress reaction, while the later 'come-down' phase brings positive feelings similar to recovery from illness or stress. A qualitative analysis of psilocybin experience reports from Erowid.org, using phenomenological, thematic content, and word frequency analysis, shows that negatively valenced states dominate the onset, and positively valenced states dominate the falling phase. This pattern helps explain how initially distressing altered states can ultimately resolve distress, with implications for therapeutic and theoretical understanding of psychedelic treatment.
Pharmacology research & perspectives
August 1, 2024
Ari Brouwer, Robin L. Carhart‐Harris, Charles L. Raison
5 citations
Psychotomimetic drugs—such as amphetamines, cannabis, psychedelics, and dissociatives—can paradoxically relieve symptoms like attention deficits, pain, and depression, which themselves increase the risk of psychosis or co-occur with it. The authors propose two concepts to explain this paradox. Psychotomimetic compensation describes a short-term, drug-induced relief from stress, mediated by neurotransmitter systems including endocannabinoid, serotonergic, glutamatergic, and dopaminergic pathways. Psychotomimetic sensitization occurs after repeated stress or drug exposure, gradually intensifying psychotic-like experiences over time. The model has theoretical and practical implications.
Research Square (Research Square)
February 23, 2024
Ari Brouwer, Joshua K. Brown, Earth Erowid et al.
5 citations
Psychedelic therapy may work partly because its temporal structure mirrors the narrative arc of the Hero's Journey. A qualitative analysis of self-reported onset (comeup) and offset (comedown) phases of psilocybin experiences found that the comeup is more often characterized by negatively valenced feeling states, while the comedown is more often characterized by positively valenced feeling states resembling recovery from illness or adversity. This trajectory suggests that initially distressing altered states can ultimately resolve distress, offering a framework for understanding the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.
Religion Brain & Behavior
July 11, 2024
Ari Brouwer, Charles L. Raison, F. Leron Shults
3 citations
A theory-building paper compares the trajectory of psilocybin mushroom experiences—aversive comeup, awe-inspiring peak, relief and clarity in the comedown—with spiritual and incipient psychotic experiences. It argues that these shared trajectories inform cognitive scientific perspectives on religion. The authors propose a causal pathway where stress, uncertainty, and arousal increase perception of extra agency (PEA), which may lead either to states that downregulate PEA or to states that perpetuate it. Religions could modulate this pathway to promote social cohesion. The paper emphasizes the need for phenomenological nuance when comparing psychedelic, spiritual, and psychotic experiences.