As psychedelic research expands, agreeing on a single definition of 'psychedelic' may be counterproductive, potentially limiting what these substances can reveal about the mind and brain. Rather than seeking premature consensus, the authors propose treating psychedelics as heuristic tools that guide scientists toward novel theories. Modern computational tools can map the vast landscape of psychedelic variables—molecular biology, physiology, phenomenology, psychology, and ceremony—allowing definitions and categories to be iteratively refined for greater rigor and reproducibility.
A person experienced persistent insomnia, anxiety, and tinnitus for months after MDMA therapy, symptoms that did not resolve with Western medical approaches. Her symptoms eventually improved when treated within a Traditional Chinese Medicine framework. The authors argue that psychedelic treatment, particularly during the integration phase, may benefit from techniques that address energies not recognized by Western medicine.