Understanding Psychedelics
May 19, 2026 DOI: 10.4324/9781003541639-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Topics | Default mode network Mysticism |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Affect linguistics Consciousness Dual grammatical number Reflection computer programming Epistemology Cognitive science Natural archaeology |
| Key points | Argues that psychedelics help people access new ways of thinking, feeling, and being by affecting the Default Mode Network, enhancing neuroplasticity, and disrupting rigid thought patterns. |
Abstract
This chapter explores the evolution of psychedelics from ancient rituals to modern neuroscience. It begins with a historical overview of their use in spiritual and communal healing, then traces the scientific discoveries that followed—from early psychiatric research to current clinical trials. The chapter then introduces how psychedelics affect the brain, especially through their impact on the Default Mode Network (DMN), enhancing neuroplasticity and disrupting rigid thought patterns. Through personal reflection and client stories, it illustrates how these brain shifts can support deep emotional insight, behavioral change, and even mystical experiences. Together, the historical, clinical, and neurological perspectives show how psychedelics help people access new ways of thinking, feeling, and being. In this chapter, I delve into the rich history of psychedelics, from ancient rituals to modern scientific discovery, revealing what contemporary neuroscience has to say about their effects on the brain. This dual perspective, which holds the ancient and the modern simultaneously, sets the stage for a deeper understanding of each specific psychedelic medicine I will talk about in future chapters.