Current Psychology
September 30, 2021
Anna-Lena Lumma, Ulrich Weger
41 citations
Psychological research relies heavily on self-report and behavioral measures collected by an experimenter, but first-person methods that capture subtle facets of subjective experience are less common. Without these measures, fundamental aspects of psychological phenomena remain inaccessible to theory. This article reviews established first-person methods, compares them on relevant dimensions, and helps researchers select suitable methods for studying subjective experience. Integrating first-person perspectives can complement and enrich third-person research.
Current Psychology
September 8, 2023
Camile Bahi, Mona Irrmischer, Katrien Franken et al.
27 citations
A single session of connected breathing reduced negative mood states (anger, tension, confusion, depression) and increased esteem in 20 healthy adults aged 23–39. Electroencephalography recordings showed decreased delta and theta brainwave power in frontotemporal and parietal regions, and decreased beta1 and beta2 power in parietotemporal regions. Experienced practitioners showed increased gamma power. Subjective experiences during breathwork resembled those after medium to high doses of psilocybin, indicating mystical-type experiences. The results suggest breathwork alters brain activity and mood and may improve mental well-being.
Current Psychology
July 12, 2024
William A. Schutt, Julie J. Exline, Kathleen C. Pait et al.
25 citations
A systematic review of 34 empirical studies (19,724 participants from 32 independent samples) examined links between psychedelic use and long-term spiritual growth. Classic psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD, and DMT were studied most often. Findings indicate that psychedelic use is associated with multiple subjective indicators of spiritual growth: stronger perceived connections with the divine, greater sense of meaning, increased spiritual faith, more engagement in religious and spiritual practices, heightened feelings of unity and self-transcendence, positive worldview changes, increased connectedness with others, and reduced fear of death. These facets often co-occurred, and higher ratings of mystical experiences positively correlated with perceived spiritual growth.
Current Psychology
November 21, 2024
Jaime Rojas‐hernández, Lucas F. Borkel, Domingo Jesús Quintana Hernández et al.
6 citations
Psilocybin was the most used psychedelic in both Spanish and South American populations, but MDMA was more common in Spain (78.5% vs. 37.1%) while mescaline was more common in South America (31.9% vs. 24.0%), especially among males. MDMA was the most combined psychedelic in Spain, whereas LSD was most combined in South America, pointing to recreational use. DMT predicted the most adverse effects during consumption, and MDMA predicted the most adverse effects after consumption. Being under 30 years old more than doubled the risk of adverse effects. The findings indicate that cultural background influences psychedelic use patterns.
Current Psychology
September 28, 2021
3 citations
A structured nine-month meditation program, the 3 Doors Compassion Project (3DCP), which teaches Tibetan mind-body practices, was associated with significant improvements in mindfulness, stress, and depression among twenty-seven medical and mental health professionals. Improvements occurred incrementally each month. The frequency of meditation practice (days per month), but not the total time spent meditating (minutes per month), was significantly linked to these improvements. This suggests that consistent, regular meditation may be more beneficial than longer, less frequent sessions.
Current Psychology
December 1, 2025
Nandini Karunamuni, Tim Wood, Julieta Galante
The mind-brain relationship problem is a key philosophical issue with significant implications for mental health research and practice. This article explores the nature of subjective first-person experiences, which help define the mind, and contrasts them with third-person scientific understandings of the brain. The first-person and third-person perspectives are presented as two distinct but equally valid epistemological frameworks: first-person insights cultivate self-knowledge and wisdom, while third-person analysis illuminates the workings of the world. The mind is described as a dynamic system of constantly changing sensory encounters and mental processes involving past, present, and future, to be regarded as a distinct variable. The article advocates for a broader, more inclusive approach to mental health research and treatment without denying neurobiological correlates of mental states.