Psychedelics and Mysticism: Mapping Cultural Approaches
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ayahuasca Mysticism Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Consciousness Indigenous Agency philosophy Modalities Transpersonal Transformative learning Epistemology Participant observation Aesthetics Contemplation Human condition Sine qua non |
| Key points | Argues that cultural approaches can complement biomedical research on psychedelics and proposes the concept of "mystical consciousness" as a key framework. |
Abstract
West in the 1950s shared the view that psychedelic experiences culminate in “mystical experiences” of union. However, the recent “psychedelic renaissance” emphasizes biomedical, neurological, and psychotherapeutic explanations. These clinical, instrumental approaches overlook both new research on mysticism and many cultural realities and practices behind it. Analyzing key research on psychedelics and mysticism over the past three decades, this programmatic chapter investigates how cultural approaches may complement biomedical research and proposes the concept of mystical consciousness as a key.