Disintegrating and reintegrating the self—(in)flexible self-models in depersonalization and psychedelic experiences

The feeling of losing familiarity with oneself and one's body, as occurs in depersonalization and during psychedelic experiences, can be understood through active inference. Psychedelic experiences may involve radically altered prior expectations, allowing flexible modulation of self- and world models and enabling individuals to leave behind perceptual rigidities that keep them stuck in behavioral patterns. In contrast, depersonalization may involve lower control in acquiring new self- and world models, leading to rigid disintegration of habitual self-experiences and a feeling of being stuck in one's mind.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract This chapter examines the feeling of ‘losing’ the sense of familiarity with one’s self and body in depersonalization and psychedelic experiences through an ‘active inference’ lens. It is suggested that psychedelic-induced experiences may involve a stance with radically altered prior expectations, providing opportunities for flexibly modulating self- and world models. Specifically, higher control in the acquisition of new self- and world models may enhance the plasticity of one’s perceptual and sensorimotor experiences. This new gained flexibility, it is claimed, may allow the individual to ‘leave behind’ certain habits—perceptual rigidities that hold the person ‘stuck’ in certain behavioural patterns. By contrast, depersonalization may be linked to lower control in the acquisition of new self- and world models, leading to non-flexible (rigid) (dis)integration of ordinary/habitual self experiences, and a consequent feeling of being ‘stuck’ in one’s mind.