Chasing the Numinous: Hungry Ghosts in the Shadow of the Psychedelic Renaissance.
Helge Michael Osterhold, Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold
Journal of Analytical Psychology September 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1111/1468-5922.12949 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Fantasma affamato Fantasma hambriento Hungriger geist Hungry ghost Individuation Schatten der psychedelika Spectre affamé Complejo cultural Complesso culturale Complexe culturel Cultural complex Cultural shadow Individuación Individuazione Kultureller komplex Kultureller schatten Ombra culturale Ombra negli psichedelici Ombre culturelle Ombre des psychédéliques Psychedelic renaissance Psychedelisch unterstützte therapie Psychedelische renaissance Renacimiento psicodélico Renaissance psychédélique Rinascimento psichedelico Shadow in psychedelics Sombra cultural Sombra en psicodélicos Terapia psichedelia assistita Голодный призрак Индивидуация Культурная тень Культурный комплекс Психоделик-ассистированная психотерапия Психоделический ренессанс Тень психоделиков 文化情结 文化阴影 自性化 致幻辅助的治疗 迷幻药中的阴影 迷幻药复兴 饿鬼 |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key points | Argues that the collective fascination with psychedelics may be a symptom of a deeper psychological and spiritual malaise in the modern Western psyche. |
Abstract
In recent years a renewed scientific, public and commercial interest in psychedelic medicines can be observed across the globe. As research findings have been generally promising, there is hope for new treatment possibilities for a number of difficult-to-treat mental health concerns. While honouring positive developments and therapeutic promise in relation to the medical use of psychedelics, this paper aims to shine a light on some underlying psycho-cultural shadow dynamics in the unfolding psychedelic renaissance. This paper explores whether and how the multi-layered collective fascination with psychedelics may yet be another symptom pointing towards a deeper psychological and spiritual malaise in the modern Western psyche as diagnosed by C. G. Jung. The question is posed whether the West's feverish pursuit of psychedelic medicines-from individual consumption to entheogenic tourism, from capitalist commodification of medicines and treatments to the increasing number of ethical scandals and abuse through clinicians and self-proclaimed shamans-is related to a Western cultural complex. As part of the discussion, the archetypal image of the Hungry Ghost, known across Asian cultural and religious traditions, is explored to better understand the aforementioned shadow phenomena and point towards mitigating possibilities.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theorizing that Psychedelic Assisted Therapy May Play a Role in the Treatment of Trauma-Induced Personality Disorders. | 2024 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Learning to Let Go: A Cognitive-Behavioral Model of How Psychedelic Therapy Promotes Acceptance | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Awe: a putative mechanism underlying the effects of classic psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy | 2018 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy | 2021 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Towards psychedelic apprenticeship: Developing a gentle touch for the mediation and validation of psychedelic-induced insights and revelations. | 2022 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 38
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- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
and 33 more in the library