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Epistemic Risk Reduction in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy.

Chiara Caporuscio, Sascha Benjamin Fink

Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences November 2, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2024_531 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Topics Psychedelic-assisted therapy
Keywords Healing Therapeutic guidance Structured therapy Therapeutic approach Methods Integration Preparation Post-therapy Mental well-being Mental health Self-understanding Insights
Citations 7
Key points Argues that epistemic risks in psychedelic-assisted therapy can be significantly reduced by adapting strategies dynamically to the individual patient's needs.

Abstract

Belief change is crucial to therapeutic benefit in psychedelic-assisted therapy as well as in more traditional forms of therapy. However, the use of psychedelics comes with a few unique challenges that require extra caution. First, drastic belief changes may occur faster than in regular therapy. Facing radical and transformative insights all at once rather than through a gradual process of discovery and integration can lead patients to a volatile, confusing or disorienting epistemic state. Additionally, we know psychedelic substances generate hallucinatory experiences that come with a high degree of confidence and noetic certainty despite not necessarily being connected with reality. On the other hand, telling a patient which ones of her beliefs are true and which ones are not seems beyond the competence of a psychotherapist, if not an abuse of their authority and power. This is even more dangerous when psychedelics are involved, because power imbalance between patient and therapist is exacerbated by the therapist's role as a guiding figure throughout an intense altered state of consciousness. Because of this suggestible state, the therapist's beliefs might have a disproportionate influence, and even well-intentioned nudging might significantly stray the patient's beliefs.How can a therapist help a patient navigate their epistemic uncertainty around psychedelic insights while preserving the patient's autonomy? This chapter will attempt to answer this question through a philosophical and epistemological lens. We will review different strategies to mitigate epistemic risks in psychedelic-assisted therapy and argue that such risks can be significantly reduced by adapting these strategies dynamically to the individual patient's needs.

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

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Psychedelic-assisted therapy Altered states of consciousness