Journal of Anxiety Disorders
July 1, 2026
Paweł Holas, Jan Wardęszkiewicz, Malgorzata Grochowska et al.
Adjustment Disorder (AjD) is a common stress-related condition, yet evidence-based interventions remain scarce. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) targets transdiagnostic mechanisms such as cognitive fusion and low self-compassion, which may be particularly relevant for AjD. This randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of a brief, guided, asynchronous internet-delivered MBCT...
Acta Psychologica
June 1, 2026
Gabriela Górska, Paweł Holas
Empathy and compassion often arise in response to others' suffering but can be inhibited when the sufferers represent out-groups. Mindfulness meditation may help counter these blocks by reducing distress and fostering compassionate responses. In this study, we tested whether a brief, 10-min mindfulness intervention could enhance empathic and compassionate reactions to in-group and out-group...
Open MIND
2026
Katarzyna Korsak, Daniel Pankowski, Paweł Holas
The clinical use of psychedelic substances and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) is an area of growing interest that also raises significant social concerns and controversy. Despite existing legal restrictions, empirical research on substances such as psilocybin, mescaline, MDMA, LSD, DMT, and ibogaine has been developing, particularly in the treatment of conditions such as treatment-resistant...
October 16, 2025
Minka Witke, Paweł Holas
preprint
Objective. Spirituality and religiosity have long been associated with experiences that transcend ordinary self-awareness, often described as mystical union or nondual awareness. This study examines the concept of the “enlightened self” as a transcendent ideal, focusing on the role of mindfulness practice and psychedelic experiences in fostering self-transcendence, nondual awareness, and...
Scientific Reports
August 22, 2025
Gabriela Górska, Paweł Holas
Recent findings indicate that meditation may enhance compassion and foster prosocial actions aimed at helping others. In the present preregistered research, we aimed to test hypotheses regarding the positive impact of a single short, guided mindfulness meditation on compassionate and personal distress responses, measured with the Socio-affective Video Task (SoVT), and the possible mechanisms of...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
April 25, 2025
Przemysław Rupiński, Weronika Drabek, Paweł Holas
2 citations
Abstract Background and Aims This systematic review examines the association between psychedelic use and enhanced life purpose and meaning, as assessed by the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) and the Purpose in Life Scale (PILS). Interest in psychedelics' therapeutic potential has grown, with some studies suggesting that these substances encourage meaningful psychological insights that...
Dialogues Clin Neurosci
March 6, 2025
Paweł Holas, Justyna Kamińska, Marcin Zajenkowski
2 citations
Societal perspectives on psychedelics use in clinical context: Development of Concerns and Openness towards Psychedelic Scale (COPS).
Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii
2025
Paweł Holas, Justyna Kamińska
1 citation
Approximately 6% of Polish adults, mostly young men living in urban areas, reported using classic psychedelics, particularly LSD and psilocybin mushrooms. Further research and educational efforts are needed to support the scientific exploration of PAT, and to help shift public perceptions of its therapeutic potential.
Research Square
August 15, 2024
Paweł Holas, Justyna Kamińska
Abstract Objective Recent years have witnessed a resurgence in research exploring the therapeutic potential of classic psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD for treating mental disorders. However, there is a limited knowledge regarding the epidemiology of classic psychedelics consumption and the factors associated with their recreational use in Poland. Methods A representative sample of Polish...
Pharmacological Reports
November 6, 2023
Paweł Holas, Justyna Kamińska
39 citations
Abstract There has been increasing scientific and clinical interest in studying psychedelic and meditation-based interventions in recent years, both in the context of improving mental health and as tools for understanding the mind. Several authors suggest neurophysiological and phenomenological parallels and overlaps between psychedelic and meditative states and suggest synergistic effects of...
European Psychiatry
April 1, 2021
Paweł Holas
Introduction Adjustment disorder (AD) is described as a maladaptive reaction to an identifiable psychosocial stressor/s that usually emerges within a month after the onset of the stressor. With all uncertainty, fears and disorientation, it’s no surprise that many people have developed an AD linked to the sudden changes brought about by COVID-19, such as threat to life, imposed restrictions, and...
International Journal of Neuroscience
March 25, 2021
Maciej Śliwowski, Paulina Jastrzębska, Paweł Holas et al.
Abstract Aim of the study The electrophysiological correlates of meditation states in both short and long-term meditators have been increasingly documented; however, little is known about the brain activity associated with first-time meditation experiences. The goal of this study was to investigate the electrophysiological correlates of a single guided mindfulness meditation session in subjects...
Mindfulness
June 1, 2020
Paweł Holas, Izabela Krejtz, Katarzyna Wisiecka et al.
Abstract Objectives Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based treatment to prevent relapse in individuals with recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD). It is not clear if MBCT is an effective therapy for current depression, and it is not clear what mechanisms are responsible for the effectiveness of MBCT. Theoretically, MBCT is believed to modify the processing of...
Mindfulness
February 10, 2020
T. Jankowski, Paweł Holas
Attention switching is postulated in many theories as a crucial executive function related to mindfulness. However, the existing literature does not provide convincing support for this claim. Based on the attentional control theory, the presented experiment tested the hypothesis that brief mindfulness training improves attention switching in the presence of anxiety. Seventy-four undergraduates...
Paweł Holas, Jan Michał Wardęszkiewicz, Malgorzata Grochowska et al.
preprint
Background: Adjustment Disorder (AjD) is a common stress-related condition, yet evidence-based interventions remain scarce. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) targets transdiagnostic mechanisms such as cognitive fusion and low self-compassion, which may be particularly relevant for AjD.Objective: This randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of a brief, guided, asynchronous...
Jan Wardęszkiewicz, Paweł Holas, Gerhard Andersson
Abstract Background Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (iMBCT) is a promising intervention for mental health, but its effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms remains underexplored. While key mechanisms of change have been identified in traditional MBCT, their role in online delivery formats needs further investigation. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 170 individuals...