European PsychiatryMarch 1, 2023E. Prades, A. Torres, P. Díez et al.1 citation
Introduction Ayahuasca is a traditional brew containing the psychedelic 5-DMT (a tryptamine that acts as a 5HT2A-R agonist) used to achieve non-ordinary states of consciousness, with a long tradition among various cultures in ritual and therapeutic contexts. Ayahuasca is being studied as potential treatment in Mental Health, which has led to non-controlled and recreational use. This has led to...
Within the modern resurgence of psychedelics as medicinal agents for a range of conditions, the story of MDMA (Ecstasy, Molly) has been re-narrated from a dangerous street drug to a breakthrough mental health therapy. Even still, the story of MDMA remains incomplete within a binary discourse of deviant recreational use versus psychotherapeutic-medical use. The present research aimed to uncover...
Abstract The physical basis of consciousness is one of the most intriguing open questions that contemporary science aims to solve. By approaching the brain as an interactive information system, complex network theory has greatly contributed to understand brain process in different states of mind. We study a non-ordinary state of mind by comparing resting-state functional brain networks of...
Introduction Substance use disorders(SUDs) are a major health concern and current treatment interventions have proven only limited success. Despite increasing effectiveness, still about 50–60% relapse within 6–12 months after treatment [Cornelius et al ., Addict Behav. 2003;28 381-386]. SUDs are defined as chronic disorders of brain reward system, motivation, and memory processes that have gone...
For a century, psychedelics have been investigated as models of psychosis for demonstrating phenomenological similarities with psychotic experiences and as therapeutic models for treating depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. This study sought to explore this paradoxical relationship connecting key parameters of the psychotic experience, psychotherapy, and psychedelic experience. In...
Ego dissolution (i.e., ego loss, ego disintegration, ego death, or self-loss) is a conscious state marked by a loss or diminution of one's sense of self and a lack of first-person experience. We developed a novel, valid, and internally consistent ego dissolution scale to both (a) assess trait-like aspects of ego dissolution, which have received scant attention to date, and (b) facilitate future...
Background: Recent research has shown promising results for the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. One popular view claims that these benefits are mediated by the subjective experiences induced by these substances. Based on this, we designed a virtual reality experience, Psyrreal, that mimics the phenomenological components of psychedelic experiences. Aims: We aimed to investigate the...
Nature is a vital context for transcendent experiences fostering the spiritual dimensions of humankind. Analysing data from protected areas in China, this paper investigates the ways in which spirituality permeates nature-based tourism. A thematic analysis was undertaken to interpret 27 semi-structured in-depth interviews with professionals and tourists. Findings enable the construction of a...
This article uncovers the congruity of Neo-Platonism in Autobiography of a Yogi by Yogananda. The philosophy of Neo- Platonism postulates that the phenomenal creation is the emanation of the Cosmic One which radiates pervasive wisdom, the world soul and the living being. Thus, the spark of divinity dwells in every living being. Likewise, Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi expounds that the...
Bioenergycorrection as an ancient way of correcting vital energy flow is well known in many multi-millennial traditions, having withstood the test of time to this day, with some modern modifications. On the wave of the expansion of integrative medicine since the mid-1990s in China, the US and Europe, some bioenergycorrection techniques have been subjected to scientific research and have been...