Unbinding the self

Psychedelic therapy works by 'unbinding' the self-model, according to the predictive self-binding account. In pathological conditions, rigid self-models become entrenched. Psychedelics induce neural and psychological plasticity, allowing experiences of ego dissolution and insight that enable revision of these maladaptive self-models. The therapy has a two-factor structure: induction of plasticity followed by discovery and consolidation of new self-modelling. This account subsumes mechanisms like feelings of connectedness, acceptance, psychological insight, emotional breakthrough, and mindfulness. The chapter also touches on philosophical questions about self and self-consciousness.

Study at a glance

Abstract

‘Unbinding the self’ outlines the predictive self-binding account of psychedelic therapy introduced by Letheby and Gerrans (2017). On this account, the networks targeted by psychedelics integrate or ‘bind’ information from multiple sources into a hierarchical predictive model of the self. In pathological conditions, detrimental forms of self-modelling can become rigidly entrenched. By ‘unbinding’ the self-model, psychedelics facilitate experiences of ego dissolution and psychological insight in which pathological self-models can be revised. On this view, psychedelic therapy has a two-factor structure: it involves (a) the induction of neural and psychological plasticity, and (b) the discovery and consolidation of new forms of self-modelling. The chapter shows how this account can subsume many candidate mechanisms of psychedelic therapy, including feelings of connectedness and acceptance, psychological insight, emotional breakthrough, and mindfulness-related capacities. The chapter concludes with some brief remarks on philosophical questions about self and self-consciousness.