What can neuroscience tell us about the potential of psychedelics in healthcare? How the neurophenomenology of psychedelics research could help us to flourish throughout our lives, as well as to enhance our dying.
Current drug abuse reviews January 1, 2014 Robin Mackenzie 6 citations
Health-related psychedelic research should aim to enhance human flourishing, not just treat illness or addiction. Factors that promote flourishing include finding meaning in life, spiritual practices, comfortable social bonds, satisfying sex in a long-term monogamous relationship, and control over daily life. Neuroscience currently anchors psychedelic research in disease, but neurophenomenological approaches could illuminate relationships between health, altered states of consciousness (ASCs) and non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOSCs), and cognitive liberty. A taxonomic knowledge base categorizing ASCs/NOSCs is needed to enable safe navigation among states of mind. Legal reforms are necessary to allow research and end-of-life access to psychedelics for a good death.