The present article is limited to research studies focused on understanding the phenomenon and construction of the concept of 'Self.' When we look at one's experience of the Self, as a whole, it involves various components associated with different aspects like self-identification, self-location and the sense of the existence of oneself or the sense of Self. While exploring the Self phenomenon,...
In contemporary consciousness research, we have defended a position of experiential minimalism, arguing that for-me-ness (or minimal selfhood) is a necessary, universal feature of phenomenal consciousness. The concept of for-me-ness refers to the fact that experiences are given first-personally to the subject of experience. To challenge the universality of for-me-ness, several authors have...
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are compounds designed to mimic the effects of existing recreational drugs (classical psychoactive substances [CPS]), while eluding established legal frameworks. Little is known about their effects and potential harms, rendering the increasing number of NPS a challenge to policy makers and researchers alike. Quantitative studies on the motives underlying NPS...
This letter is not a classic scientific work, but a cavalcade of memories that recall the long road of a research pathway on the relationship between psychopathology, brain and consciousness. Extraordinary things happened during this journey. Discussions with Kary Mullis, meetings with world-renowned scientists such as Stuart Hameroff, Mark Rasenick, Mario Tiengo and others. With them, a field...
This essay reflects on the constitution of subjectivity in relation to transcendence specifically through an analysis of responsibility. The openness to re-thinking transcendence in continental philosophy led to a corollary re-thinking of subjectivity as constituted in response to otherness or transcendence, in such a way, however, that emphasized the utter passivity of the subject. This essay...
Medical HypothesesAugust 23, 2019Andreja Vujanac, I. Srejovic, V. Zivkovic et al.
The essence of our hypothesis is quantum properties of conscious processes as well as the possibility to measure changes in conscious attention by using quantum double-slit experiment. We supposed that the act of observing in state of focused attention cause a wave function collapse in double-slit diffraction. In order to test the hypothesis, 26 participants took part in the study divided into...
Abstract 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (acronymized as 5-MeO-DMT) is sui generis among the numerous naturally-occurring psychoactive substances due to its unparalleled ego-dissolving effects which can culminate in a state of nondual consciousness (which is phenomenologically similar to transformative peak experiences described in various ancient contemplative traditions, e.g., Advaita...
This study examines the phases of human consciousness revealed in the poetry of indigenous people in the light of some prominent psychologists and philosophers mainly Bucke, Schleiermacher, William James, Hegel, and Moores. Bucke and Schleiermacher cited three forms of consciousness: Animal or Brutish Self-awareness, Sensual or Self-Consciousness, and Cosmic Consciousness. While examining the...
General anesthesia reversibly alters consciousness, without shutting down the brain globally. Depending on the anesthetic agent and dose, it may produce different consciousness states including a complete absence of subjective experience (unconsciousness), a conscious experience without perception of the environment (disconnected consciousness, like during dreaming), or episodes of oriented...
August 14, 2019S. Penedos, I. Figueiredo, Maria Margarida Magalhães Lopes et al.
BACKGROUNDMicrodosing of psychedelics such as LSD consists in its regular ingestion of a non-hallucinogenic dose. Advocates deny experiencing the typical alterations in consciousness while reporting various long-lasting psychological benefits.It has been under research for treatment of mental health disorders including end-of-life anxiety, drug abuse, and depression. Increased accessibility in...