Philosophical Perspectives on Psychedelic Psychiatry
September 13, 2024
David B. Yaden, Sandeep M. Nayak, Roland R. Griffiths
4 citations
The proportion of people who change their metaphysical beliefs after psychedelic experiences is not yet known precisely, but evidence suggests such changes can occur in some cases. This review examines the accruing evidence on the prevalence and magnitude of these belief changes and considers potential psychological mechanisms. It also briefly reviews relevant historical and contemporary philosophical work and describes clinical guidelines. Philosophically informed recommendations are offered for research and clinical contexts where psychedelic-induced metaphysical belief changes may arise.
Philosophical Perspectives on Psychedelic Psychiatry
September 13, 2024
Link Ray Swanson
2 citations
Psychedelic drugs produce well-known but poorly understood visual effects. This chapter connects psychedelic visual phenomenology to everyday visual perception. Three types of open-eye visuals—common changes in external visual appearances under psychedelics—are described, and the authors argue they arise from hypersensitivity to contextual cues. Evidence and analysis support the idea that psychedelics selectively affect contextual modulation processes at multiple levels of visual perception. The chapter then explains how these visual effects might relate to therapeutic benefits and explores practical implications for psychedelic therapy, cognitive neuroscience, and philosophy.
Philosophical Perspectives on Psychedelic Psychiatry
September 13, 2024
Chris Letheby, Philip Gerrans
1 citation
This chapter reviews the history of psychedelics in psychiatry, including the phenomenological and behavioral effects that initially prompted their therapeutic study. It provides an overview of recent research on the safety, efficacy, and therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. The chapter also summarizes the contributions of each chapter in the volume, showing how they address philosophical issues arising from the new wave of psychedelic psychiatry. The chapters are organized around three themes: 'Self and Mind', 'Science and Psychiatry', and 'Ethics and Spirituality'.
Philosophical Perspectives on Psychedelic Psychiatry
September 13, 2024
Virginia Ballesteros
1 citation
A philosophical account argues that psychedelic experiences can treat depression by shifting one's entire world, from a state devoid of beauty and meaning to one full of beauty and connection. Drawing on Ludwig Wittgenstein's ideas on aesthetics, ethics, and mysticism, the account characterizes depression as a world from which we feel disconnected, while psychedelics immerse us in a meaningful world, changing perspective and opening new possibilities for action and evaluation of self and relationships.
Philosophical Perspectives on Psychedelic Psychiatry
September 19, 2024
Spirituality requires learning, accepting, and adapting to ultimate reality. Psychedelic experiences can facilitate this, but only through interpretations that connect them to ultimate reality. This chapter evaluates three interpretations from a naturalist perspective. The religious interpretation, which claims psychedelics reveal non-natural spirits, is deemed false by naturalists and offers no genuine spiritual benefits. The physicalistic naturalist interpretation has strong scientific support but likely fails to account for important spiritual aspects of psychedelic experiences. The Platonic naturalist interpretation has good scientific support and accounts for all spiritual aspects. The chapter cautions that psychedelic spirituality requires metaphysical pluralism.