Modern perspectives on psychoses: dissociation, automatism, and temporality across exogenous and endogenous dimensions.
Valerio Ricci, Maria Celeste Ciavarella, Carlotta Marrangone, Guilherme Messas, Giuseppe Maina, Giovanni Martinotti
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1543673 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Dissociation Exogenous psychosis Mental automatism Novel psychoactive substances Schizophrenia Spaltung |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key points | Argues that dissociation, mental automatism, and temporality are key phenomenological distinctions between substance-induced psychoses and endogenous psychoses, with SIPs characterized by an "eternal present" and dissociation that differs from schizophrenic spaltung. |
Abstract
Substance use and the emergence of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) present a significant public health challenge and diagnostic dilemma, particularly in the context of psychosis. The increasing availability of psychoactive substances among youth has led to a rise in Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), with profound implications for mental health. This paper explores the psychopathological distinctions between substance-induced psychoses (SIPs) and endogenous psychoses, such as schizophrenia, from a phenomenological perspective. We emphasize three key aspects: dissociation, mental automatism, and temporality, to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these conditions. Dissociation, as a psychopathological organizer, is central to exogenous psychoses, particularly those triggered by NPS. This phenomenon leads to a fragmentation of consciousness, detachment from reality, and disintegration of identity, distinct from the spaltung observed in endogenous psychoses. The concept of mental automatism, as theorized by De Clerambault, is also explored, highlighting its role in the early stages of exogenous psychoses, where cognitive disruptions precede delusions and hallucinations. Furthermore, the temporal experience in SIPs is characterized by a disconnection from past and future, trapping individuals in an "eternal present." This contrasts with the fragmented temporality observed in schizophrenia, where patients struggle to maintain a coherent narrative of their lives. The phenomenological approach provides critical insights into the clinical differentiation between SIPs and Primary Psychotic Disorders (PPDs), emphasizing the need for targeted interventions that address the specific temporal and cognitive disruptions in substance-induced conditions. In conclusion, this paper underscores the importance of integrating phenomenological psychopathology into clinical practice, particularly in the face of the evolving landscape of substance use and psychosis. Understanding the distinct psychopathological mechanisms underlying SIPs can inform more accurate diagnoses and effective treatments, ultimately improving patient outcomes in the context of this growing public health issue.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta-8, Delta-10, HHC, THC-O, THCP, and THCV: What Should We Call These Products? | 2023 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Model Psychoses Induced by LSD-25 in Normals | 1956 | Historical analysis | |
| Is there a specific ‘cannabis psychosis’? | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Peak-experience and the entheogenic use of cannabis in world religions | 2021 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Out of Harm's Way?: Illicit Drug Use, Medicalization and the Law | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The Cannabis-Psychosis Spectrum: Clinical Manifestations, Conversion Risk, and Therapeutic Strategies Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology and Addiction August 6, 2025
- Theoretical Perspectives on the Minimal and Narrative Self in the Schizophrenia Spectrum: An Integrative Review. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science 2026
- Delusional Experiences Emerging From AI Chatbot Interactions or "AI Psychosis". JMIR Mental Health December 3, 2025
Cites 16
- REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics Pharmacological Reviews June 20, 2019
- New/emerging psychoactive substances and associated psychopathological consequences Psychological Medicine July 22, 2019
- Association Between Continued Cannabis Use and Risk of Relapse in First-Episode Psychosis JAMA Psychiatry September 28, 2016
- New trends in the cyber and street market of recreational drugs? The case of 2C-T-7 ('Blue Mystic'). Journal of Psychopharmacology November 1, 2005
- From Self-Disorders to Ego Disorders Psychopathology 2015
and 11 more in the library