An Integrated theory of false insights and beliefs under psychedelics
This theoretical review examines how psychedelics may lead to false insights and beliefs by connecting experimental work on false memories with insights under psychedelics using the active inference framework. It suggests that psychedelics increase the quantity and intensity of insights, which could include false beliefs, and proposes future research directions to minimize such risks while maximizing therapeutic potential.
Authors
- Christopher Timmermann
- Alaina Doss
- Manoj Doss
Published
Abstract
Psychedelics are recognised for their potential to re-orient beliefs. We propose a model of how psychedelics can, in some cases, lead to false insights and thus false beliefs. We first review experimental work on laboratory-based false insights and false memories. We then connect this to insights and belief formation under psychedelics using the active inference framework. We propose that subjective and brain-based alterations caused by psychedelics increases the quantity and subjective intensity of insights and thence beliefs, including false ones. We offer directions for future research in minimising the risk of false and potentially harmful beliefs arising from psychedelics. Ultimately, knowing how psychedelics may facilitate false insights and beliefs is crucial if we are to optimally leverage their therapeutic potential.
Research Summary of 'An Integrated theory of false insights and beliefs under psychedelics'
Introduction
Insight moments—sudden, phenomenologically powerful experiences of apparent understanding—play an important role in shaping beliefs, and are a common feature of psychedelic experiences. Earlier experimental work in cognitive psychology and memory research shows that insight phenomenology can be fallible: fluency, priming and misattribution can produce vivid but incorrect insights and false memories. In parallel, clinical and recreational reports suggest that psychedelics often precipitate strong noetic feelings and belief change, but the literature has not fully explained how the two domains interact to produce accurate versus false beliefs. Mcgovern and colleagues set out to integrate laboratory findings on false insights with computational theories of perception and recent neuropharmacological and neuroimaging evidence about psychedelics. Their stated aim is to propose a mechanistic account—termed False Insights and Beliefs Under Psychedelics (FIBUS)—that explains how psychedelics can both increase the quantity and felt certainty of insights and thereby sometimes foster false or maladaptive beliefs. The paper also seeks to outline testable predictions and practical implications for research and clinical practice focused on minimising epistemic harm while preserving therapeutic benefit.
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McGovern, H. T., Grimmer, H. J., Doss, M. K., Hutchinson, B. T., Timmermann, C., Lyon, A., Corlett, P. R., & Laukkonen, R. E. (2024). An Integrated theory of false insights and beliefs under psychedelics. Communications Psychology, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-024-00120-6
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