AbstractBrief mindfulness reliably changes how individuals relate to their own internal experiences, but whether these intrapersonal changes generalize to intergroup responding remains unclear. This preregistered experiment (N = 91) examined whether mindfulness-related processes—decentering and compassionate self-responding—were associated with socio-affective responses toward in-group and...
Abstract Background: Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) offers a scalable approach to treating depression, yet high attrition and sustained engagement remain persistent challenges, particularly for individuals with active symptoms. This convergent mixed-methods study aimed to explore how individuals with current depressive symptoms experience and navigate digital mindfulness...
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...
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...
Introduction: Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of external stimuli, often experienced as ringing or buzzing. While many individuals habituate to tinnitus, others develop chronic tinnitus (CT), which can severely affect emotional well-being. Psychological mechanisms such as anxiety and maladaptive coping are known contributors to tinnitus distress, yet the protective role of...
Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) 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. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of synchronous and asynchronous...
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...
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...
Abstract Objectives Emotional distress, encompassing stress, anxiety, and depression, is highly prevalent and associated with substantial personal and societal burden. While Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an established intervention, its accessibility is often limited by program length, delivery format, and resource demands. Brief, minimally guided, internet-delivered MBCT...
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...
Previous studies have found that self-compassion and mindfulness are negatively related to depressive and anxiety symptoms. Still, the mechanisms underlying these relationships in major depression and whether such mechanisms differ in healthy people are poorly understood. In the present study, it was examined whether mindfulness and worrying mediated relationships between self-compassion,...
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...
INTRODUCTION: Psychedelics are gaining recognition for their therapeutic potential in mental health treatment, yet societal attitudes remain divided, influenced by both skepticism and curiosity. This study aimed to develop and validate a scale assessing attitudes toward psychedelics. METHODS: Study 1 (n = 1000, convenience sample) explored the factor structure, identifying two dimensions:...
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.
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...
I address this letter to the Editorial Board of the “Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology” as an advocate of a critical yet hopeful approach to psychedelic-assisted therapy for the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. Global mental health is a key challenge of the 21st century. However, the available therapies are currently facing well-known limitations. The introduction of...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Abstract Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has demonstrated its effectiveness in preventing depression relapse and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Preliminary research on the online version of an eight-week MBCT (iMBCT) has shown promising results in decreasing emotional distress, aligning with the positive effects observed in traditional MBCT programs. However, there is a...
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...