Psychedelic Therapy: Beyond Brain, Embracing Culture
October 4, 2023 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/rjngs (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Situated Narrative Perspective graphical Psychological intervention Psychotherapist Mental health |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key points | Argues that psychedelic-assisted therapy's therapeutic effect should be understood as pattern changes in culturally situated self-narratives rather than as brain computational model updates. |
Abstract
This paper argues that cultural embodiment plays a pivotal factor in shaping psychological experiences, influencing both the development and treatment of mental health conditions. Traditional analytic philosophy of mind proposes that the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy should be understood as a brain computational model update. Beyond the scientific understanding of neural activity, we argue instead that the psychological therapeutic effect should be understood as pattern changes in self-narratives. Psychedelic experience plays a causal role in therapeutic efficacy by allowing the pattern changes of culturally situated self-narratives. By considering the interplay between cultural embodiment and therapeutic outcomes, this study offers a novel perspective on the processes underlying psychedelic-assisted therapy and highlights the potential for more effective treatment approaches in mental health interventions.