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Kurt Stocker

12 papers in the library · 42 citations · publishing 2019-2026

Papers

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Integrating the Mystical Experience Questionnaire Into a Broader Psychometric Framework: English Validation of the Psychedelic Experience Scale and Comparison of Psilocybin and LSD Sessions Across Two Controlled Settings.

International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research June 1, 2026 Kurt Stocker, Matthias Hartmann, Frederick S. Barrett et al.

For English, the validated part of Psychedelic Experience Scale (PES48) is a four-factor structure called the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30). The other validated part of the PES48 consists of four more factors: two more mystical factors (paradoxicality and connectedness, which together with the MEQ30 form the MEQ40), and two more non-mystical factors (visual experience and...

Integrating the Mystical Experience Questionnaire Into a Broader Psychometric Framework: English Validation of the Psychedelic Experience Scale and Comparison of Psilocybin and LSD Sessions Across Two Controlled Settings

Repository for Publications and Research Data April 30, 2026 Kurt Stocker, Matthias Hartmann, Frederick S. Barrett et al.

Objectives: For English, the validated part of Psychedelic Experience Scale (PES48) is a four-factor structure called the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30). The other validated part of the PES48 consists of four more factors: two more mystical factors (paradoxicality and connectedness, which together with the MEQ30 form the MEQ40), and two more non-mystical factors (visual experience...

Mystical dynamics: renewal, luminous light, and ego disintegration as key features associated with mystical oneness—a psychometric analysis using the PES100 in controlled psychedelic studies

Religion, Brain & Behavior March 31, 2026 Kurt Stocker, Matthias Hartmann, Frederick S. Barrett et al.

Mystical dynamics—the notion that mystical oneness may unfold involving ego disintegration, renewal, and luminous light—has been discussed anecdotally by psychedelic researchers and therapists but has not yet been empirically examined in controlled settings. This study investigated the occurrence and dose-dependency of mystical dynamics in healthy participants after administration of...

DOI: 10.1080/2153599x.2026.2635353 (opens in new tab) Mysticism Psychometrics Key lock Psychometric testing +4

Mystical dynamics: renewal, luminous light, and ego disintegration as key features associated with mystical oneness-a psychometric analysis using the PES100 in controlled psychedelic studies

Repository for Publications and Research Data 2026 Kurt Stocker, Matthias Hartmann, Frederick S. Barrett et al.

Mystical dynamics-the notion that mystical oneness may unfold involving ego disintegration, renewal, and luminous light-has been discussed anecdotally by psychedelic researchers and therapists but has not yet been empirically examined in controlled settings. This study investigated the occurrence and dose-dependency of mystical dynamics in healthy participants after administration of...

DOI: 10.3929/ethz-c-000798382 (opens in new tab) Mysticism Experiential learning Religious experience Dynamics music +2

The 3D-ASCr scale: A revalidation of the core dimensions of the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale 5D(11)-ASC for psychedelic research.

Journal of Psychopharmacology December 26, 2025 Kurt Stocker, Matthias Hartmann, Yasmin Schmid et al. 5 citations

The Altered States of Consciousness Scale (3/5D-ASC or 11-ASC) is widely used to assess non-ordinary states of consciousness, particularly for psychedelic research. However, its original dimensional model (3D-ASC within 5D-ASC) and later 11-subscale structure (11-ASC) have a hierarchically incompatible higher/lower-order structure. Although the 11-ASC offers superior model fit, the 3D-ASC...

The 3D-ASCr scale: A revalidation of the core dimensions of the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale 5D(11)-ASC for psychedelic research

Repository for Publications and Research Data 2025 Kurt Stocker, Matthias Hartmann, Yasmin Schmid et al.

Background: The Altered States of Consciousness Scale (3/5D-ASC or 11-ASC) is widely used to assess non-ordinary states of consciousness, particularly for psychedelic research. However, its original dimensional model (3D-ASC within 5D-ASC) and later 11-subscale structure (11-ASC) have a hierarchically incompatible higher/lower-order structure. Although the 11-ASC offers superior model fit, the...

DOI: 10.3929/ethz-c-000791180 (opens in new tab) Anxiety Revalidation Confirmatory factor analysis Rating scale +20

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine is a connectogen with empathogenic, entactogenic, and still further connective properties: It is time to reconcile “the great entactogen—empathogen debate”

Journal of Psychopharmacology July 28, 2024 Kurt Stocker, Matthias E. Liechti 15 citations

Science on methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and MDMA-like substances is faced with the unique situation that this class of psychoactive agents is referred to with two basic names for its effects on the mind: empathogens and entactogens. Empathogen usually refers to the prosocial, empathetic, and openness properties of MDMA, while entactogen usually refers to the introspective and...

DOI: 10.1177/02698811241265352 (opens in new tab) MDMA Ecstasy Introspection Openness to experience +3

The revival of the psychedelic experience scale: Revealing its extended-mystical, visual, and distressing experiential spectrum with LSD and psilocybin studies

Journal of Psychopharmacology October 31, 2023 Kurt Stocker, Matthias Hartmann, Laura Ley et al. 22 citations

Background: Research with the Psychedelic Experience Questionnaire/Scale (PES) focuses on questions relating to mystical experience (Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ)). The psychometric potential of the non-MEQ items of the PES remains largely unexplored. Aims: We investigated whether the PES also yields subscales besides the MEQ30 subscales. Methods: Data from 239 PES measurements (140...

DOI: 10.1177/02698811231199112 (opens in new tab) Psilocybin Mysticism Psychometrics Exploratory factor analysis +3

Case report: Maintaining altered states of consciousness over repeated ketamine infusions may be key to facilitate long-lasting antidepressant effects: some initial lessons from a personalized-dosing single-case study.

Frontiers in Psychiatry October 25, 2023 Steffen Reissmann, Matthias Hartmann, Andreas Kist et al.

Background: The interest in psychoactive agents for treating mental disorders has gathered a growing body of scientific interest. However, research on the relationship between altered states of consciousness (ASCs) and ketamine's antidepressant properties is still limited. Likewise, approaches to sustain early treatment success for the long-term are needed. Taking both aspects into account, the...

Seeing in Visionary and Mystical Experience: A Perceptual and Cognitive-Semantic Account

Cognitive Semantics September 19, 2022 Kurt Stocker

According to Stocker (in press), seeing in visual experience (visual perception and visual imagery) is organized by Talmyan concept structuring. Here, it is proposed that during seeing in extrovertive visionary experience and extrovertive mystical experience, this visual concept structuring is largely or totally suspended—except for the perspective point (pp), which seems to remain in place in...

Buddhist-like opposite diminishing and non-judging during ketamine infusion are associated with antidepressant response: an open-label personalized-dosing study.

Frontiers in Pharmacology July 25, 2022 Kurt Stocker, Matthias Hartmann, Steffen Reissmann et al.

Background: Cognition that is not dominated by thinking in terms of opposites (opposite diminishing) or by making judgments (non-judging) can be found both in Buddhist/mindfulness contexts and in mental states that are fostered by dissociative psychedelics (N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists) such as ketamine. Especially for the Buddhist/mindfulness case, both opposite diminishing and non-judging...

The Altered-State-of-Consciousness Aspect of a Feeling of Lightness Is Reported to Be Associated with Antidepressant Benefits by Depressed Individuals Receiving Ketamine Infusions: A Systematic Analysis of Internet Video Testimonials

Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics March 18, 2019 Kurt Stocker, G. Hasler, Matthias Hartmann

5 “I kind of enjoyed the next few hours till dinner. I was still kind of floating on air” (5: 06) (T29). 6 “I had this awkward weight that I carried around me wherever I went (0: 47) ... Literally I had the sensation of this steal armor that I wore my entire life [that] – chunks of it – were falling off (3: 03)” (T16). 7 “I did immediately following the first session – and in the second and in...