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Ruairi E Patterson

2 papers in the library · 61 citations · publishing 2020

Papers

Broadening Your Mind to Include Others: The relationship between serotonergic psychedelic experiences and maladaptive narcissism.

Psychopharmacology September 1, 2020 Valerie van Mulukom, Ruairi E Patterson, Michiel van Elk 61 citations

Classical serotonergic psychedelic (CSP) experiences that induce awe, but not ego dissolution, are linked to lower maladaptive narcissism through increased feelings of connectedness and affective empathetic drive. In a survey of 414 participants describing their most awe-inspiring psychedelic experience, those reporting more awe showed higher connectedness and empathy, which in turn predicted reduced exploitative-entitled narcissism. This relationship persisted after controlling for sensation-seeking. No evidence was found that ego dissolution produced the same effects. The findings suggest CSPs may have therapeutic potential for disorders involving deficits in connectedness and empathy, such as pathological narcissism, with awe-driven connectedness as a key mechanism.

DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05568-y (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Serotonergic Awe Connectedness Ego +4

Broadening Your Mind to Include Others - The relationship between serotonergic psychedelic experiences and maladaptive narcissism_PREPRINT

March 10, 2020 Valerie van Mulukom, Ruairi E Patterson, Michiel van Elk preprint

Awe experienced during classical serotonergic psychedelic (CSP) use is linked to lower maladaptive narcissism. In a survey of 414 people, those who reported greater awe during recent CSP experiences also reported stronger feelings of social connectedness and affective empathy, which in turn were associated with less exploitative and entitled narcissistic traits. This pattern held even after accounting for sensation-seeking. Ego dissolution during the experience showed no similar effect. The findings suggest that awe-induced connectedness, not ego loss, may underlie the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for conditions involving impaired empathy and connection, such as pathological narcissism.

DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/fp8e3 (opens in new tab) Narcissism Feeling Narcissistic personality disorder Entitlement fair division +13