The mechanisms of psychedelic therapy
Philosophy of Psychedelics August 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1093/med/9780198843122.003.0004 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ego dissolution Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Psychedelic treatment Psychedelic medicine Psychedelics Psychedelic research Psychological mechanisms Psychological factors Subjective experience Mystical-type states Connectedness Mental processes Consciousness Mental health Therapeutic outcomes Positive outcomes Well-being Healing |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key points | Argues that psychedelic therapy's benefits stem from a psychological factor correlated with mystical-type experiences but independent of non-naturalistic metaphysical ideations. |
Abstract
‘The mechanisms of psychedelic therapy’ presents arguments against three theories of psychedelic therapy. The Molecular Neuroplasticity Theory ascribes therapeutic benefits to an experience-independent molecular mechanism. This theory is undermined by the correlation between ‘mystical-type experiences’ and beneficial outcomes, which suggests that genuinely psychological mechanisms are involved. The Metaphysical Belief Theory and the Metaphysical Alief Theory fare better on this count: both ascribe beneficial outcomes to the transcendent vision of a ‘Joyous Cosmology’ supposedly encountered in the mystical-type experience. However, these theories struggle to account for the fact that some patients satisfy psychometric criteria for a mystical-type experience without undergoing a non-naturalistic metaphysical hallucination. The psychometric criteria can also be satisfied by more naturalistic experiences of ego dissolution and connectedness. The conclusion is that psychedelics cause lasting benefits via some genuinely psychological factor that (i) correlates with the construct of a mystical-type experience, but (ii) is independent of non-naturalistic metaphysical ideations.
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
Cited by 2
- Being no one, being One: The role of ego-dissolution and connectedness in the therapeutic effects of psychedelic experience Journal of Psychedelic Studies September 16, 2022
- Psilocybin‐assisted psychotherapy for treatment‐resistant depression: Which psychotherapy? International Journal of Mental Health Nursing August 17, 2023