Expanded states of perception—whether psychedelic, spontaneous, or induced—are a generative source for visionary art. Drawing on Aldous Huxley's writings in Moksha and Laurence Caruana's Manifesto of Visionary Art, the article argues that such experiences allow artists to access transcendental realities. Key methods for immersion include creative writing, close reading, and phenomenological experimentation. The visionary universe draws on light, transfigurations, folklore, and religious imagery, as seen in the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch, William Blake, and Gustave Moreau. Extraordinary conscious activities—ecstatic, oneiric, or hypnagogic—are indispensable for creating visionary art, especially in the contemporary period.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) shows promise in reducing psychological, spiritual, and existential distress in hospice and palliative care patients. Administered in controlled settings, psilocybin can induce mystical experiences that foster acceptance of mortality and a sense of connection and meaning, as supported by the Theory of Self-Transcendence. This theory suggests that well-being involves ongoing transformation and acceptance beyond symptom relief. However, clinical use faces ethical, regulatory, and cultural barriers requiring collaborative efforts, specialized training, and more research to develop safe protocols. PAT offers a way to integrate science and spirituality, expanding palliative care beyond biomedical treatment to improve quality of life for seriously ill patients.