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Sense of reality, metacognition, and culture in schizophrenic and drug-induced hallucinations

Martin Fortier

Oxford University Press eBooks May 24, 2018 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780198789710.003.0016 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Topics Ayahuasca
Keywords Metacognition Hallucinogen Visual hallucination Cognitive psychology Schizophrenia object-oriented programming Sensory system Psychotherapist
Citations 8
Key points Argues that metacognitive models fail to explain important aspects of hallucinations and that the role of metacognition varies by hallucinogen type and cultural context.

Abstract

Hallucinations possess two main components: (i) a sensory content; (ii) a sense that the sensory content is real. Influential models of schizophrenic hallucination claim that both the sensory content and the sense of reality can be explained in terms of metacognitive dysfunction. This chapter assesses whether such a claim holds for schizophrenic and drug-induced hallucinations; it further attempts to determine the actual role of metacognition in hallucination and how this role is liable to vary across cultures. It is first argued that the notion of sense of reality is heterogeneous and should therefore be divided into distinct kinds. Next, some monitoring-based models of hallucination are presented, and it is shown that they fail to explain important aspects of hallucinations. It is subsequently suggested that the main mechanisms of serotoninergic hallucinogens are not metacognitive, whereas those of anticholinergic hallucinogens importantly tap into subpersonal metacognitive processes. Finally, after specific consideration of the use of ayahuasca across different Amazonian indigenous groups, it is proposed that the metacognitive properties of hallucinogenic experiences can be variously exploited or ignored depending on cultural expectations.

Comparable studies

Other theoretical and historical papers on ayahuasca, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The globalization of ayahuasca: Harm reduction or benefit maximization? 2006 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Ayahuasca Shamanism in the Amazon and Beyond 2014 Theoretical or philosophical paper
The Antipodes of the Mind: Charting the Phenomenology of the Ayahuasca Experience 2003 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
Ayahuasca healing beyond the Amazon: the globalization of a traditional indigenous entheogenic practice 2008 Theoretical or philosophical paper

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