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.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| The pharmacology of psilocybin | 2002 | Review | |
| Serotonin research: contributions to understanding psychoses | 2008 | Review | |
| Psychedelics, Meditation, and Self-Consciousness | 2018 | Review | |
| The abuse potential of medical psilocybin according to the 8 factors of the Controlled Substances Act | 2018 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- Current perspectives on psychedelic therapy: use of serotonergic hallucinogens in clinical interventions International Review of Psychiatry July 4, 2018
- The influence of ceremonial settings on mystical and challenging experiences occasioned by ayahuasca: A survey among ritualistic and religious ayahuasca users Frontiers in Psychology July 15, 2022
- HERE AND NOW: DISCOVERING THE SACRED WITH ENTHEOGENS Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science September 2, 2014
- Psychedelic Epistemology: William James and the “Noetic Quality” of Mystical Experience Religions November 29, 2021
- Peak Experiences of Psilocybin Users and Non-Users Journal of Psychoactive Drugs April 1, 2013
and 9 more in the library
Cites 7
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later Journal of Psychopharmacology May 30, 2008
- The Use of Music in Psychedelic (LSD) Psychotherapy Journal of Music Therapy June 1, 1972
- The Peak Experience Variable in DPT-Assisted Psychotherapy with Cancer Patients Journal of Psychedelic Drugs 1977
and 2 more in the library