‘Mind-Revealing’ Psychedelic States: Psychological Processes in Subjective Experiences That Drive Positive Change
Rúna F. E. Walther, Hein T. van Schie
Psychoactives September 27, 2024 DOI: 10.3390/psychoactives3030026 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Narrative review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness Mystical experience Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Therapeutic change Mental health Psychedelic healing Psychedelic treatment Psychedelic medicine Psychedelic intervention Subjective experience Consciousness exploration Expanded awareness Inner experience Psychological well-being Emotional health Therapeutic outcomes Mental wellness Psychological health |
| Citations | 14 |
| Key findings | Mystical experiences are the strongest predictor of positive outcomes in psychedelic therapy, but other psychological processes such as awe, insight, emotional breakthrough, and acceptance are also significantly associated with positive change. |
Abstract
This narrative review explores the utilization of psychedelic states in therapeutic contexts, deliberately shifting the focus from psychedelic substances back to the experiential phenomena which they induce, in alignment with the original meaning of the term “mind-manifesting”. This review provides an overview of various psychedelic substances used in modern therapeutic settings and ritualistic indigenous contexts, as well as non-pharmacological methods that can arguably induce psychedelic states, including breathwork, meditation, and sensory deprivation. While the occurrence of mystical experiences in psychedelic states seems to be the strongest predictor of positive outcomes, the literature of this field yields several other psychological processes, such as awe, perspective shifts, insight, emotional breakthrough, acceptance, the re-experiencing of memories, and certain aspects of challenging experiences, that are significantly associated with positive change. Additionally, we discuss in detail mystical experience-related changes in metaphysical as well as self-related beliefs and their respective contributions to observed outcomes. We conclude that a purely medical and neurobiological perspective on psychological health is reductive and should not overshadow the significance of phenomenological experiences in understanding and treating psychological issues that manifest in the subjective realities of human individuals.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Subjective Effects of Psychedelics Are Necessary for Their Enduring Therapeutic Effects. | 2020 | Review | |
| Psychobiology of Altered States of Consciousness. | 2005 | Review | |
| Intrinsic Brain Activity in Altered States of Consciousness | 2008 | Review | |
| Dynamic functional connectivity and brain metastability during altered states of consciousness | 2017 | Review | |
| A default mode of brain function in altered states of consciousness. | 2013 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- Decreased CO2 saturation during circular breathwork supports emergence of altered states of consciousness. Communications Psychology April 13, 2025
- Uncovering Psychedelics: From Neural Circuits to Therapeutic Applications Pharmaceuticals January 19, 2025
- Regulatory Challenges of Integrating Psychedelics into Mental Health Sector Psychoactives April 22, 2025
- Mapping the phenomenology of intranasal 5-MeO-DMT in psychedelic-naïve healthy adults. Scientific Reports November 6, 2025
- Psychedelic Integration and Spiritual Growth in a Christian Context Religions September 18, 2025
and 8 more in the library
Cites 157
- 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
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 23, 2011
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Attending to the present: mindfulness meditation reveals distinct neural modes of self-reference Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience August 13, 2007
and 152 more in the library