Psychedelic Mystical Experiences Are Authentic

A philosophical paper argues that mystical experiences brought on by psychedelics should be considered authentic, not counterfeit. It examines three counterarguments: such experiences are too easily achieved, lack lasting spiritual or moral effects, and do not involve divine grace. Positive arguments for authenticity include that these experiences rely on similar neural mechanisms and are phenomenologically alike to other mystical experiences. The paper concludes that the positive arguments are more convincing, making a case for the genuineness of psychedelically induced mystical experiences.

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Abstract

The paper critically discusses whether mystical experiences induced by psychedelics should be considered inauthentic or counterfeit forms of mystical experiences. It examines three arguments against the authenticity of these experiences: pimes are too easy; pimes do not have lasting spiritual or moral effects; pimes do not involve divine grace. Positive arguments for the authenticity of pimes discussed are as follows: pimes rely on similar neural mechanisms as other mystical experiences; pimes are phenomenologically similar to other mystical experiences. The paper argues that the positive arguments are more convincing than the negative ones. It thereby presents a case in favor of the authenticity of psychedelically induced mystical experiences.