N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a potent serotonergic psychedelic, bridges ancient wisdom and modern science. The mechanisms underlying its powerful psychedelic effects and out-of-body experiences continue to intrigue scientists. The functional role of DMT remains ambiguous. This paper explores the endogenous presence of DMT in the human body and its diverse neuroregulatory functions, which...
This paper explores the experience of receiving a fatal medical diagnosis. It is meant to shed light on a phenomenon that, for obvious reasons, rarely gets reported on. The narrative takes one through the business of navigating a flawed medical system in search of an accurate diagnosis—and finally accepting that one’s condition is dire and untreatable. It is about bumping up against this wall...
The symbolic architecture of non-ordinary consciousness remains largely unmapped in cognitive science and artificial intelligence. While conventional models prioritize rational coherence, altered states such as those induced by psychedelics reveal distinct symbolic regimes characterized by recursive metaphor, ego dissolution, and semantic destabilization. We present \textit{Glyph}, a generative...
The MindGym, a novel immersive technology utilizing a reflective chamber environment, was developed to create standardized experiential content, including anxiolytic experiences. This study examined whether therapeutic experiences originally created in the MindGym could maintain their efficacy when delivered via 360-degree recordings through virtual reality (VR) headsets. A randomized...
There has been growing interest in understanding the psychological effects of psychedelic experiences, including their potential to catalyze significant shifts in moral cognition. This retrospective study examines how meaningful psychedelic experiences are related to changes in moral expansiveness and investigates the role of acute subjective effects as predictors of these changes. We found...
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9-THCP) is a potent phytocannabinoid found naturally in the cannabis plant in small quantities. This cannabinoid is noted to potently bind to cannabinoid receptor 1 and cannabinoid receptor 2 and is reported to be highly psychoactive. A small amount of Δ9-THCP is found naturally, which led to its isolation and synthetic production. This isolate is beginning to...
The potential of meditation as a preparatory tool for psychedelic experiences lacks empirical investigation. We surveyed experienced practitioners (N=123) with substantial histories in both meditation and psychedelic use to examine meditation’s role in psychedelic preparation. Respondents expected meditation training to primarily enhance acceptance and present-moment focus during psychedelic...
Bhakti Yoga connects individuals to the supreme divine by fostering selfless love, surrender and a connection beyond the ego. In parallel, Self-transcendence is the process of rising beyond personal ego and self-interest to connect with a higher purpose, ultimate truth and divine consciousness. This paper explores the concept of self-transcendence within Maslow’s hierarchy of needs through the...
Psychiatry Research2025Sarah Beutler-Traktovenko, Marcel Franz, Judith Daniels et al.
Dissociative symptoms are a frequent complication in posttraumatic stress disorders affecting about a third of all PTSD patients. While theoretical models predict a physiological hypoarousal during posttraumatic dissociations, empirical evidence is lacking. We addressed this by studying spontaneously occurring dissociative symptoms and related heart rate changes in an ecological momentary...
Emerging psychedelic research highlights the therapeutic potential and broader positive psychological transformation of psychedelic-assisted therapy. While naturalistic studies support these outcomes, gaps remain in understanding the specific nature of perceived benefits and in the availability of validated instruments to assess them. This study aimed to develop and validate the Perceived...