Skip to content

Phenomenology of Psychedelic Experiences and Psychedelic-Associated Distressing Effects: Quantifying Subjective Experiences.

Cyril Costines, Timo Torsten Schmidt

Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences December 31, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2024_562 (opens in new tab)

Read Full Text
Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Topics Altered states of consciousness Philosophy of mind
Keywords Challenging experience Psychedelics Quantitative assessment
Citations 8
Key findings There is no consensus on the set of alterations of consciousness that qualifies an altered state to be a 'psychedelic state,' and distressing effects (challenging experiences) are under-researched yet important for understanding therapeutic potential and risks.

Abstract

The range of phenomena that can be induced by psychedelic substances is broad and variable, including effects on perception, cognition, and emotion. The umbrella term "psychedelic phenomenology" is used to refer to a combination of altered experiential features, such as hallucinations or ego dissolution, which together constitute a psychedelic experience. However, there is no consensus on the set of alterations of consciousness that qualifies an altered state to be a "psychedelic state." In this chapter we summarize the most commonly discussed changes in subjective experiences which could be seen as "core features" of psychedelic experiences. While acknowledging the rich history of pioneering phenomenological work of the last century, this chapter focuses on more recent developments in the quantitative work on the assessment of these phenomena. We also address the under-researched phenomenology of distressing effects, often referred to as "challenging experiences" or "bad trips," and point to their importance in understanding the therapeutic potential and risks associated with psychedelic phenomenology. Historically, one can find many links between psychedelic phenomenology and the phenomenology of psychopathology. We stress the importance to refine the assessment and description also of distressing effects, to identify factors that promote acute experiences which are beneficial and limit those which can have potentially harmful long-term effects.

Comparable studies

Other narrative reviews on philosophy of mind, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Body Consciousness: A Philosophy of Mindfulness and Somaesthetics 2008 Review article
Phenomenology, Structure, and Dynamic of Psychedelic States 2016 Review
Classic Hallucinogens and Mystical Experiences: Phenomenology and Neural Correlates. 2018 Review
The lived experience of psychosis: a bottom-up review co-written by experts by experience and academics. Individuals with lived experience of psychosis, family members, and carers 2022 Co-written bottom-up review
From autopoiesis to neurophenomenology: Francisco Varela's exploration of the biophysics of being. 2003 Review

Citations in the library

Cited by 9

and 4 more in the library

Cites 67

and 62 more in the library

Related reading

Explore topics

Altered states of consciousness Philosophy of mind Ego dissolution