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Willam Richards

2 papers in the library · publishing 2026

Papers

Mystical dynamics: renewal, luminous light, and ego disintegration as key features associated with mystical oneness—a psychometric analysis using the PES100 in controlled psychedelic studies

Religion Brain & Behavior March 31, 2026 Kurt Stocker, Matthias Hartmann, Frederick S. Barrett et al.

After administration of LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, or DMT, mystical oneness—the core of mystical experience—showed dose-sensitive strong correlations with luminous light and renewal, and a moderate-to-strong correlation with ego disintegration. These findings from 386 healthy participants across 15 studies support a broader, dynamic model of mystical experience, where mystical oneness unfolds with ego disintegration, renewal, and luminous light. The results offer insights for psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Mystical dynamics: renewal, luminous light, and ego disintegration as key features associated with mystical oneness-a psychometric analysis using the PES100 in controlled psychedelic studies

Repository for Publications and Research Data (ETH Zurich) January 1, 2026 Kurt Stocker, Matthias Hartmann, Frederick S. Barrett et al.

Mystical oneness after psychedelics is linked to ego disintegration, renewal, and luminous light, and these connections intensify with higher doses. Analyzing 816 measurements from 386 healthy participants given LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, or DMT across 15 studies, researchers found dose-sensitive strong correlations between mystical oneness and luminous light and renewal, and a moderate-to-strong correlation with ego disintegration. The results support a dynamic model of mystical experience and suggest relevance for psychedelic-assisted therapy.