Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Cognitive Science
December 3, 2023
Daniel C Mograbi, Simon Hall, Beatriz Arantes et al.
17 citations
Self-awareness, the capacity to regard oneself as an object of awareness, remains a puzzle addressed by religion, philosophy, and science. This review examines the neurocognitive mechanisms behind self-awareness, describing it as a multidimensional, emergent property that manifests at different levels of cognitive complexity, framed within predictive coding theory. It discusses how self-awareness is altered in neuropsychiatric conditions and evaluates alternative frameworks for understanding it in both health and psychopathology. The article identifies gaps in current knowledge and suggests directions for future research.
Current neurology and neuroscience reports
August 1, 2024
Daniel C Mograbi, Rafael Rodrigues, Bheatrix Bienemann et al.
12 citations
Self-awareness—the capacity to make oneself the object of one's own attention—has clinical relevance, and understanding its neurochemical basis may clarify causes of and treatments for psychopathological conditions. This article reviews how psychedelics influence self-awareness by affecting brain networks such as the default-mode and salience networks, and neurotransmitters. Within a predictive-coding framework, it examines effects on interoception, body ownership, agency, metacognition, emotional regulation, and autobiographical memory. Improved emotional regulation and autobiographical memory have been observed with psychedelic use, suggesting changes in higher-order self-awareness, modulated by relaxed priors and enhanced cognitive flexibility. Bodily self-awareness alterations are less consistent, potentially varying with dose, acute versus long-term effects, and clinical conditions.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
January 1, 2024
Julia M K Freind, Fernando R Beserra, Bruno S Menezes et al.
9 citations
Depression is a widespread mental health disorder that causes severe emotional suffering and increases suicide risk. Ketamine and esketamine have expanded treatment options. A systematic review following PRISMA criteria analyzed existing protocols for treating depression with these substances. Results showed a predominance of medical approaches, with few studies on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy or other psychedelic-assisted therapies. Limited information was reported on psychosocial elements like preparation, psychological support during sessions, and integration of experiences. These findings suggest that treatment practices for depression with ketamine or esketamine diverge from those used with other psychedelic substances, highlighting directions for future research.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
June 28, 2025
Rafael S Rodrigues, Isabel Wießner, Dimitri Daldegan-Bueno et al.
6 citations
Two scales that measure altered states of consciousness—the OAV and the 5D-ASC—were adapted and validated for Brazilian Portuguese through expert review and back-translation. In an online survey of 3762 people recounting their psychedelic experiences, factor analyses confirmed an 11-factor structure for the OAV and a 6-factor structure for the 5D-ASC, both with strong internal consistency (α > 0.76). Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations with the Mystical Experience Questionnaire and Ego Dissolution Inventory. Factor scores differed by substance, setting, and meditation frequency; ayahuasca and DMT experiences produced higher oceanic boundlessness and anxious ego-dissolution scores. The scales show reliable psychometric properties for Brazil, though sample homogeneity and recall bias are limitations.
Scientific reports
November 10, 2023
Lucas Cruz, Bheatrix Bienemann, Fernanda Palhano-Fontes et al.
3 citations
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew used as an entheogen for centuries, is being investigated as a treatment for clinical disorders. This study analyzed open-ended descriptions from nine people with treatment-resistant depression and twenty healthy controls after their first ayahuasca experience. Using quantitative textual analysis, five clusters emerged: altered consciousness, cognitive changes, somatic alterations, auditory experiences, and visual content. People with depression reported more aversive bodily reactions. The findings align with known psychedelic experience patterns and may guide therapeutic use of ayahuasca.