Psychedelics, Spirituality, and Fundamentalism: A Brain Network Approach to Cognitive Flexibility and Rigidity
Anjian Yang, Xinyou Lv, Hongshuang Wang, Xiaohui Wang
ACS Chemical Neuroscience July 24, 2025 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5c00509 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Psilocybin Lysergic acid diethylamide N N-dimethyltryptamine |
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Keywords | Extremism Fundamentalism Terrorism Rigid thinking Inflexible beliefs Dogmatic thinking Psychedelics: psychedelic substances Entheogens Mental health treatment Cognitive enhancement Belief system modulation Spirituality: mysticism Spiritual growth Consciousness exploration |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that mysticism and fundamentalism can be reconceptualized as brain network disorders and that psychedelics may modulate these states by disrupting rigid neural patterns. |
Abstract
This viewpoint reconceptualizes mysticism and fundamentalism as brain network disorders, with psychedelics like psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and N,N-dimethyltryptamine offering potential to modulate these states. By disrupting rigid neural patterns, psychedelics may foster cognitive flexibility, challenge inflexible belief systems, and offer therapeutic value for extremism and mental health disorders.