Hallucinations

Psychedelic-induced hallucinations can, in some cases, reveal aspects of the mind rather than being mere distortions. By analyzing mathematical models of how the primary visual cortex produces low-level geometric hallucinations, the chapter argues that these hallucinations expose the early stages of perceptual processes. Other types of hallucinations might also be mind-revealing, for instance by serving as vehicles for unconscious contents. However, some hallucinations are merely distortions, possibly arising as by-products of other mind-revealing effects like uncovering hidden memories.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract This chapter addresses the question of whether psychedelic-induced hallucinations are evidence against the hypothesis that psychedelics reveal the mind. While, at first glance, this may appear to be the case, the chapter argues that some (but perhaps not all) hallucinations induced by psychedelics do involve mind-revelation. In particular, by analysing mathematical models of how the primary visual cortex generates low-level geometric hallucinations, the chapter argues that these hallucinations are revelations of the early stages of our perceptual processes. The chapter also discusses the possibility that other kinds of hallucinations may be mind-revealing in other ways (such as being vehicles for unconscious contents) and that some hallucinations are merely distortions of the mind (rather than revelations of it), perhaps arising as by-products of other effects that involve mind-revelation (such as revealing hidden memories).