The Phenomenology and Potential Religious Import of States of Consciousness Facilitated by Psilocybin
Archive for the Psychology of Religion 2008 DOI: 10.1163/157361208x317196 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Topics | Mysticism Psilocybin Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Consciousness Altered state Telepathy Trance Revelation Phenomenology philosophy Religious experience Epistemology Psychoanalysis Hallucinogen Anthropology Theology |
| Citations | 19 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin produces a range of conscious states, including mystical experiences, which may have religious import and therapeutic potential. |
Abstract
Accompanying the resumption of human research with the entheogen (psychedelic drug), psilocybin, the range of states of consciousness reported during its action, including both nonmystical and mystical forms of experience, is surveyed and defined. The science and art of facilitating mystical experiences is discussed on the basis of research experience. The potential religious import of these states of consciousness is noted in terms of recognizing the reality of the spiritual, in better understanding the biochemistry of revelation, and in exploring the potentially positive contributions that mystical consciousness may effect in psychological treatment.