Self-perception and self-recognition while looking in the mirror on psilocybin
Sam Elias, Stephanie Spivak, Alexa Alverez, Alejandro Gili Olivares, Maria Ferrol, Julian Paul Keenan
Journal of Psychedelic Studies September 19, 2023 DOI: 10.1556/2054.2023.00251 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 89 |
| Population | Reddit users who ingested psilocybin and looked in a mirror |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Face sociological concept Face perception Cognitive psychology |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Under psilocybin, seeing one's own face as a different entity is rare, and self-perception is significantly more positive than negative. |
Abstract
Abstract Introduction It is not known how self-perception and self-recognition are influenced when one is highly self-focused under the influence of psilocybin. Here we examine self-reports of mirror self-recognition and self-perception during a psilocybin experience.
Methods: Reddit posts were examined in a systematic manner. Posts that were written by individuals that ingested psilocybin and subsequently looked in a mirror were examined. After both automatic and manual filtering, a total of 89 posts with 775 post excerpts were analyzed.
Results: It was found that it was rare to see one's own face as a different entity (e.g., an animal or other person) however people were equally likely to see themselves as they really are or distorted. People were significantly more positive than negative when perceiving their own face.
Discussion: We found wide variation in the perception of the own-face while under the influence of psilocybin. While generally positive, the self-face appears to be an experience that varies dramatically from person to person under the influence of psilocybin.