The potential risks of opening the mind's eye with psychedelic therapies.
Roger Koenig-Robert, Rebecca Keogh, Joel Pearson
Cortex; a journal devoted to the study of the nervous system and behavior October 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2025.08.002 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAs psychedelic therapy becomes more widely legalized, a note of warning is raised about recent reports that people with aphantasia—those lacking a mind's eye—have acquired visual mental imagery after using psychedelics. While gaining or increasing visual imagery may seem appealing, strong mental imagery is linked to several mental health conditions. The potential impact of switching on visual imagery in aphantasics or increasing its strength in neurotypical individuals remains unknown. The authors advocate for greater awareness of these risks and their ethical implications, especially concerning informed consent.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Aphantasia Mental health Mental imagery |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | The unknown mental health risks of psychedelic-induced visual imagery in people with aphantasia and neurotypical individuals warrant increased awareness and ethical consideration, particularly for informed consent. |
Abstract
Psychedelic therapy is on the rise, as its legalisation is ongoing in multiple countries. Here, we write a note of warning regarding recent reports that people with aphantasia (a blind mind's eye) have acquired visual mental imagery after using psychedelics. While the prospect of gaining, or indeed increasing, visual mental imagery is appealing to many, strong mental imagery has been associated with a range of mental conditions. How 'switching on' visual imagery in people with aphantasia or increasing its strength in neurotypical individuals might impact mental health remains unknown. We advocate for increased awareness of this issue and its ethical implications, particularly regarding informed consent.