Psychedelic Therapy: Beyond Brain, Embracing Culture
Inês Hipólito, Sofia Tzima
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.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theorizing that Psychedelic Assisted Therapy May Play a Role in the Treatment of Trauma-Induced Personality Disorders. | 2024 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Learning to Let Go: A Cognitive-Behavioral Model of How Psychedelic Therapy Promotes Acceptance | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Awe: a putative mechanism underlying the effects of classic psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy | 2018 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy | 2021 | 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 |
Citations in the library
Cites 37
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- The Oxford Handbook of 4E Cognition Oxford University Press eBooks September 13, 2018
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics Pharmacological Reviews June 20, 2019
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up. Psychopharmacology November 8, 2017
and 32 more in the library