Science & Psychedelics
Table of Contents
The scientific community is rediscovering and empirically verifying the unique therapeutic and transformative potential of various psychedelics substances.
Although relatively early in the psychedelic scientific endeavour, it appears that the effective use of psychedelics has therapeutic and transformative effects for individuals who suffer from various medically recognized illnesses, as well as for “heathy” individuals who seek to improve their psychological functioning and personal wellbeing. Most importantly, the transformative and therapeutic potential of psychedelics, effectively applied, is not limited to the clinic. Moreover, the spiritual aspects of the experience are vital in the beneficial effects.
Psychedelics are to the study of the mind what the microscope is to biology and the telescope is to astronomy.
— Stanislav Grof
Psychedelic Medicine
The scientific inquiry into psychedelics spans back to the mid-20th century, marked by Albert Hoffman's serendipitous discovery of LSD's psychedelic effects, which catalyzed decades of research into its psychological impacts and the biochemical underpinnings related to serotonin. This pioneering work not only enhanced our understanding of neurochemistry but also opened the door to exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics in various psychiatric conditions.
The resurgence of interest in the 1990s, driven by improved regulatory environments and cultural interest, has revitalized research into how psychedelics like psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD can be utilized to address severe psychological ailments. Recent pivotal studies include:
Cancer-related psychosocial distress: Research demonstrates significant reductions in anxiety and depression among cancer patients following psilocybin therapy, highlighting its potential to ease existential distress.
Addiction treatments: Preliminary studies have shown encouraging results using psilocybin to treat alcohol and nicotine dependencies, suggesting psychedelics could reshape addiction therapy.
Mechanisms & Effects
Modern psychedelic research delves into the complex interplay between brain chemistry and psychological experiences. Psychedelics induce a heightened state of neuroplasticity, fostering cognitive flexibility and emotional resilience. Significant scientific findings include:
Enhanced brain connectivity: Psychedelics increase the integration between different brain networks, fostering novel insights and perspectives.
Reduction in default mode network activity: This network, associated with self-referential thoughts and ego identity, shows reduced activity under psychedelics, correlating with experiences of ego dissolution.
Therapeutic & Transformative Potential
The therapeutic applications of psychedelics are vast and varied, with current studies underscoring their effectiveness in not only alleviating symptoms but also in psychological growth and emotional wellbeing for all people regardless of health status:
Personality changes: Experiences with psychedelics correlate with long-term increases in openness and other traits conducive to healthier psychological profiles.
Pro-environmental behaviour: Psychedelic experiences often enhance individuals' sense of connection to the environment, promoting behaviours that support ecological sustainability.
Cultural & Environmental Implications
Psychedelics have the potential to influence cultural and ecological awareness. By fostering a deeper spiritual connection with nature and enhancing empathy, these substances can contribute to a more ecologically conscious and integrated society. Their role extends beyond individual healing, touching on community wellness and global ecological health.
This expanded narrative aims to offer a detailed understanding of the multifaceted roles psychedelics play in contemporary science, therapy, and culture. By weaving together historical wisdom, modern research findings, and therapeutic insights, we aim to provide a holistic view of psychedelics and their promise for the future of medicine, psychology, and holistic wellbeing.
Part of the nature of the experience that people have and the way people explain why they change has to do with their interpretation and the meaning of the experience, so this is very much about meaning-making.
— Rolland Griffiths
The Default Mode Network
The default mode network (DMN) is crucial in understanding the transformative effects of psychedelics. It encompasses brain areas like the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and the angular gyrus, which are instrumental in self-related thoughts and emotions.
Research highlights that psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, significantly disrupt the DMN's usual activities. This disruption is linked to the phenomena of ego dissolution, where the sense of self temporarily disintegrates, offering a profound feeling of unity and interconnectedness with the environment and others.
Psychedelics decrease activity and connectivity in the DMN, allowing other brain regions to interact more freely and unusually. This increased cross-talk across the brain is thought to underpin the altered states of consciousness and cognitive flexibility experienced during psychedelic states. Such effects are associated with increased creative thinking, enhanced mood, and a greater sense of well-being.
The changes induced in the DMN are also believed to play a role in the therapeutic effects observed in treatments for depression, anxiety, and addiction. By "resetting" the DMN, psychedelics can alleviate symptoms of these conditions, helping individuals break cycles of negative thinking and behavior patterns
While the activity in the DMN is reduced during an experience, there is typically a rebound effect where its activity increases above baseline levels in the weeks following, which may contribute to sustained improvements in mood and outlook.
By modulating the function of the DMN, psychedelics offer a window into the neural bases of the self, providing not only insights into human consciousness but also potential pathways for addressing profound psychological challenges.
If cautiously used under the right circumstances, psychedelics could be part of and contribute to an overall greater level of awareness. Ultimately, we’re all completely dependent on each other, we’re on this planet together, trying to figure out how to survive and thrive, and I think these profound mystical experiences, however they might be occasioned, can perhaps help point us in the right direction.
— Matthew Johnson
The REBUS Model
The REBUS model (Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics) posits that psychedelics work by making the brain's belief system more flexible. Developed by Robin Carhart-Harris, this model explains how psychedelics could help alleviate symptoms of various mental health conditions by "relaxing" the rigid thought patterns that often characterize disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Under the REBUS model, psychedelics are thought to reduce the brain's tendency to rely on prior beliefs and expectations, thereby increasing the influence of immediate sensory input. This process is mediated by a reduction in the precision of high-level priors or beliefs, leading to a state where sensory information can have a greater impact on cognitive and perceptual experiences.
Key elements of the REBUS model include:
Entropic Brain Theory: This underlies the REBUS model by suggesting that the richness and diversity of a person's mental life corresponds to the level of entropy in certain neural systems, particularly those affected by psychedelics. Higher entropy means more variability and flexibility in brain activity, potentially leading to breakthrough insights and ideas.
Ego Dissolution: Psychedelics' ability to dissolve the ego, or the self-concept, is central to the REBUS model. By relaxing deeply held personal narratives and self-limiting beliefs, individuals may experience significant shifts in perspective that are often described as transformative.
Therapeutic Potential: By disrupting the rigid cognitive patterns that sustain mental health disorders, psychedelics can facilitate a mental "reset." Patients often report reduced symptoms of their conditions following psychedelic experiences, supported by this increased cognitive flexibility.
Integration: After the initial psychedelic experience, integrating the insights and altered perspectives into one's daily life is crucial for lasting change. The REBUS model emphasizes the importance of integration sessions with therapists to maximize therapeutic outcomes.
The REBUS model has garnered attention for its potential to revolutionize how we understand and treat mental health conditions, offering a framework that aligns with both neuroscientific research and subjective reports of psychedelic experiences.
This model not only underscores the importance of set and setting in psychedelic use but also highlights the potential of psychedelics to catalyze enduring changes in mental health when used responsibly within therapeutic contexts.
One psychedelic trip can make you understand more about the nature of reality than 1000s of hours of "doing" science.
— Robert Celner
Meaning Making
Psychedelics are renowned for their profound ability to facilitate experiences laden with personal and spiritual significance. This aspect is central to their therapeutic efficacy, particularly in the realm of psychedelic therapy, where meaning-making is seen as a crucial mechanism for psychological healing and growth.
Psychedelics can catalyze deeply transformative experiences, characterized by significant spiritual and existential insights. These experiences often lead to a reevaluation of personal values and perspectives, fostering a renewed sense of purpose and meaning. Research indicates that such experiences can help individuals overcome deep-seated issues such as addiction, depression, and the existential distress associated with terminal illnesses.
Studies have shown that the experiences facilitated by substances like psilocybin and LSD can lead to what patients describe as one of the most meaningful events of their lives. For instance, clinical trials have reported that participants frequently rank these psychedelic experiences as comparable in significance to major life events such as the birth of a child or the death of a loved one.
The ability of psychedelics to produce meaningful experiences is not merely subjective. These experiences have measurable therapeutic outcomes. For example, patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses have shown significant and lasting reductions in psychological distress and anxiety about death following psychedelic-assisted therapy sessions. This therapeutic effect is believed to stem from the profound personal insights and spiritual connection these substances can facilitate.
The founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson, famously advocated for the use of LSD as a means to induce spiritual awakening and combat addiction. This historical anecdote underscores the potential of psychedelics to aid in recovery by facilitating profound personal transformations. Modern studies continue to explore how psychedelics can support addiction recovery, with emerging evidence suggesting that these substances can disrupt maladaptive patterns of thought and behaviour, offering a 'reset' of sorts.
Continued research into psychedelic-assisted therapy is exploring how structured therapeutic interventions can enhance the meaning-making process. The focus is on ensuring that the insights gained during psychedelic experiences are integrated into the individual’s daily life, thereby promoting lasting change.
This emerging field holds promise not only for individual healing but also for addressing broader societal issues by fostering greater empathy, ecological consciousness, and community engagement.
Although many of us think of psychedelics as dangerous drugs, it’s time for a rethink. They are non-toxic, non-addictive, have very few side effects, and could potentially offer relief for people suffering from a range of psychological difficulties.
— Rosalind Watts