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Phenomenology, Structure, and Dynamic of Psychedelic States

This academic book chapter (2016) explores the phenomenology, structure, and dynamic of altered states of consciousness (ASC) produced by classic serotonergic hallucinogens or psychedelics.

Authors

  • Franz Vollenweider
  • Katrin Preller

Published

Behavioral Neurobiology of Psychedelic Drugs
meta Study

Abstract

Classic serotonergic hallucinogens or psychedelics produce an altered states of consciousness (ASC) that is characterized by profound alterations in sensory perception, mood, thought including the perception of reality, and the sense of self. Over the past years, there has been considerable progress in the search for invariant and common features of psychedelic states. In the first part of this review, we outline contemporary approaches to characterize the structure of ASCs by means of three primary etiology-independent dimensions including oceanic boundlessness, anxious ego-dissolution, and visionary restructuralization as well as by 11 lower-order factors, all of which can be reliably measured by the altered state of consciousness questionnaire (APZ-OAV). The second part sheds light on the dynamic nature of psychedelic experiences. Frequently, psychedelic subjects progress through different stages over time and levels of changes along a perception-hallucination continuum of increasing arousal and ego-dissolution. We then review in detail the acute effects of psychedelics on sensory perception, emotion, cognition, creativity, and time perception along with possible neural mechanisms underlying them. The next part of this review outlines the influence of non-pharmacological factors (predictors) on the acute psychedelic experience, such as demographics, genetics, personality, mood, and setting, and also discusses some long-term effects succeeding the acute experience. The last part presents some recent concepts and models attempting to understand different facets of psychedelic states of consciousness from a neuroscientific perspective.

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Research Summary of 'Phenomenology, Structure, and Dynamic of Psychedelic States'

Introduction

Halberstadt and colleagues open by situating classic serotonergic hallucinogens (LSD, psilocybin, DMT, mescaline and congeners) as pharmacological tools and cultural practices that produce profound, sometimes therapeutically useful, changes in perception, emotion, cognition and the sense of self. Earlier work—from ethnographic reports of ritual use to mid‑20th century clinical and psychopharmacological studies—has documented a wide range of acute effects and suggested links to both psychopathology (as models of psychosis) and clinical benefit (for addiction, existential distress, etc.). At the same time, recent molecular and neuroimaging tools have renewed interest in how 5‑HT2A receptor agonists produce these states and what neural systems mediate their phenomenology and possible therapeutic action. This chapter/review therefore aims to synthesise phenomenology, measurement, experimental findings and emerging neural models of psychedelic states. The authors set out to (1) characterise invariant dimensions and the staged dynamics of psychedelic experiences using psychometric instruments; (2) identify psychological and contextual predictors of acute responses; (3) summarise perceptual, emotional and cognitive alterations with an emphasis on vision and self‑experience; and (4) review human neurobiological data (EEG/MEG, PET/SPECT, fMRI) and psychotherapeutic outcome studies that link acute drug effects, mystical‑type experiences, and longer‑term changes. The goal is to integrate phenomenology with candidate neural mechanisms (notably 5‑HT2A‑related cortical dynamics and default‑mode network changes) and to indicate implications for therapeutic research.

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Study Details

References (129)

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Show all 98 papers
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The Influence of Psilocybin on Subconscious and Conscious Emotional Learning

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2 cited
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LSD-induced changes in the functional connectivity of distinct thalamic nuclei

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The Bodily Self from Psychosis to Psychedelics

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Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Psilocybin-induced changes in cerebral blood flow are associated with acute and baseline inter-individual differences

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9 cited
The ego in psychedelic drug action - ego defenses, ego boundaries, and the therapeutic role of regression

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Dynamic Functional Hyperconnectivity after Psilocybin Intake is Primarily Associated with Oceanic Boundlessness

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20 cited
Psilocybin intoxication did not affect daytime or sleep-related declarative memory consolidation in a small sample exploratory analysis

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Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of human studies

Pereira, L. · European Neuropsychopharmacology (2023)

A phenomenological analysis of Fellini's films to understand the effect of LSD therapy on his creativity

Metastasio, A., Mignogna, S., Paci, R. et al. · Drug Science Policy and Law (2023)

Spatial correspondence of LSD-induced variations of brain functioning at rest with serotonin receptor expression

Pizzi, S. D., Chiacchiaretta, P., Sestieri, C. et al. · Biological Psychiatry (2023)

A complex systems perspective on psychedelic brain action

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TMS-EEG and resting-state EEG applied to Altered States of Consciousness: Oscillations, Complexity, and Phenomenology

Ort, A., Smallridge, J. W., Sarasso, S. et al. · iScience (2023)

LSD and language: Decreased structural connectivity, increased semantic similarity, changed vocabulary in healthy individuals

Wießner, I., Falchi, M., Daldegan-Bueno, D. et al. · European Neuropsychopharmacology (2023)

4 cited
Psychedelic replications in virtual reality and their potential as a therapeutic instrument: an open-label feasibility study

Kaup, K. K., Vasser, M., Tulver, K. et al. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2023)

Can psychedelics enhance group psychotherapy? A discussion on the therapeutic factors

Ponomarenko, P., Seragnoli, F., Calder, A. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2023)

Psychedelics and psychological strengths

Brasher, T., Rosen, D., Spinella, M. · International Journal of Wellbeing (2023)

A neurophenomenological approach to non-ordinary states of consciousness: hypnosis, meditation, and psychedelics

Timmermann, C., Vollenweider, F. X. · Trends in Cognitive Sciences (2023)

Altered States of Consciousness During Ceremonial San Pedro Use

Bohn, A., Kiggen, M. H. H., Uthaug, M. V. et al. · International Journal for the Psychology of Religion (2022)

More than meets the eye: The role of sensory dimensions in psychedelic brain dynamics, experience, and therapeutics

Aqil, M., Roseman, L. · Neuropharmacology (2022)

Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics: A Systematic Review

Gattuso, J. J., Perkins, D., Ruffell, S. G. D. et al. · International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology (2022)

Lasting increases in trait mindfulness after psilocybin correlate positively with the mystical-type experience in healthy individuals

Madsen, M. K., Ozenne, B., Armand, S. et al. · Frontiers in Psychology (2022)

24 cited
Nootropic effects of LSD: Behavioral, molecular and computational evidence

Ornelas, I. M., Cini, F. A., Wießner, I. et al. · Experimental Neurology (2022)

25 cited
Macrodosing to microdosing with psychedelics: Clinical, social, and cultural perspectives

Kaypak, A. C., Raz, A. · Transcultural Psychiatry (2022)

Serotonergic psychedelic drugs LSD and psilocybin reduce the hierarchical differentiation of unimodal and transmodal cortex

Girn, M., Roseman, L., Bernhardt, B. et al. · NeuroImage (2022)

A Dose of Creativity: An Integrative Review of the Effects of Serotonergic Psychedelics on Creativity

Costa, M. A. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2022)

Language Models Learn Sentiment and Substance from 11,000 Psychoactive Experiences

Friedman, S. F., Ballentine, G. · Biorxiv (2022)

2 cited
Motives for the use of serotonergic psychedelics: A systematic review

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Psychedelic Resting-state Neuroimaging: A Review and Perspective on Balancing Replication and Novel Analyses

McCulloch, D. E-W., Knudsen, G. M., Barrett, F. S. et al. · Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews (2022)

Naturalistic use of psychedelics is related to emotional reactivity and self-consciousness: The mediating role of ego-dissolution and mystical experiences

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Language as a Window Into the Altered State of Consciousness Elicited by Psychedelic Drugs

Tagliazucchi, E. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2022)

Towards psychedelic apprenticeship: Developing a gentle touch for the mediation and validation of psychedelic-induced insights and revelations

Timmermann, C., Watts, R., Dupuis, D. · Transcultural Psychiatry (2022)

95 cited
Psychedelic Cognition-The Unreached Frontier of Psychedelic Science

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Psilocybin-Induced Mystical-Type Experiences are Related to Persisting Positive Effects: A Quantitative and Qualitative Report

McCulloch, D. E-W., Madsen, M. K., Jensen, P. S. et al. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2022)

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Classic Psychedelic Drugs: Update on Biological Mechanisms

Vollenweider, F. X., Smallridge, J. W. · Pharmacopsychiatry (2022)

71 cited
Effective Connectivity of LSD-induced Ego Dissolution

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4 cited
Models of psychedelic drug action: modulation of cortical-subcortical circuits

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Low-dose LSD and the stream of thought: Increased Discontinuity of Mind, Deep Thoughts and abstract flow

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Lifetime use of psychedelics is associated with better mental health indicators during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Psychedelics, sociality, and human evolution

Rodríguez Arce, J. M., Winkelman, M. J. · Frontiers in Psychology (2021)

Neuropsychological Functioning in Users of Serotonergic Psychedelics - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Basedow, L. A., Riemer, T. G., Reiche, S. et al. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2021)

Consciousness in active inference: Deep self-models, other minds, and the challenge of psychedelic-induced ego-dissolution

Deane, G. · Neuroscience of Consciousness (2021)

24 cited
Increases in Psychological Flexibility Mediate Relationship Between Acute Psychedelic Effects and Decreases in Racial Trauma Symptoms Among People of Color

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Trips and Neurotransmitters: Discovering Principled Patterns across 6,850 Hallucinogenic Experiences

Ballentine, G., Friedman, S. F., Bzdok, D. · Science Advances (2021)

44 cited
Psilocybin Induces Aberrant Prediction Error Processing of Tactile Mismatch Responses-A Simultaneous EEG-FMRI Study

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Psilocybin as a Novel Pharmacotherapy for Treatment-Refractory Anorexia Nervosa

Rodan, S., Aouad, P., McGregor, I. S. et al. · OBM Neurobiology (2021)

Lasting effects of a single psilocybin dose on resting-state functional connectivity in healthy individuals

McCulloch, D. E-W., Madsen, M. K., Stenbæk, D. S. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2021)

The entropic tongue: Disorganization of natural language under LSD

Sanz, C., Pallavicini, C., Carrillo, F. et al. · Consciousness and Cognition (2021)

24 cited
The potential synergistic effects between psychedelic administration and nature contact for the improvement of mental health

Gandy, S., Forstmann, M., Carhart-Harris, R. L. et al. · Health Psychology Open (2020)

Brain serotonin 2A receptor binding predicts subjective temporal and mystical effects of psilocybin in healthy humans

Stenbæk, D. S., Madsen, M. K., Ozenne, B. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2020)

Psilocybin acutely alters the functional connectivity of the claustrum with brain networks that support perception, memory, and attention

Barrett, F. S., Krimmel, S. R., Griffiths, R. R. et al. · NeuroImage (2020)

P300-mediated modulations in self-other processing under psychedelic psilocybin are related to connectedness and changed meaning: A window into the self-other overlap

Smigielski, L., Kometer, M., Scheidegger, M. et al. · Human Brain Mapping (2020)

2 cited
Psychedelic Treatments for Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Patient Experiences in Qualitative Studies

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LSD-induced increases in social adaptation to opinions similar to one's own are associated with stimulation of serotonin receptors

Schilbach, L., Stämpfli, P., Vollenweider, F. X. et al. · Scientific Reports (2020)

Psilocybin induces time-dependent changes in global functional connectivity: Psi-induced changes in brain connectivity

Preller, K. H., Burt, J. B., Adkinson, B. et al. · Biological Psychiatry (2020)

Broadening Your Mind to Include Others: The relationship between serotonergic psychedelic experiences and maladaptive narcissism

Van Mulukom, V., Patterson, R. E., Van Elk, M. · Psychopharmacology (2020)

Dissolving the self: Active inference, psychedelics, and ego-dissolution

Deane, G. · Philosophy and the Mind Sciences (2020)

Psychedelics and Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

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Reported effects of psychedelic use on those with low well-being given various emotional contexts

Mason, N. L., Dolder, P. C., Kuypers, K. P. C. · Drug Science Policy and Law (2020)

12 cited
Therapeutic mechanisms of psilocybin: Changes in amygdala and prefrontal functional connectivity during emotional processing after psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression

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155 cited
Neuropharmacological modulation of the aberrant bodily self through psychedelics

Ho, J. T., Preller, K. H., Lenggenhager, B. · Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews (2020)

Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety

Davis, A. K., Barrett, F. S., Griffiths, R. R. · Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (2020)

Characterization and prediction of acute and sustained response to psychedelic psilocybin in a mindfulness group retreat

Smigielski, L., Kometer, M., Scheidegger, M. et al. · Scientific Reports (2019)

126 cited
Spectral signatures of serotonergic psychedelics and glutamatergic dissociatives

Pallavicini, C., Vilas, M. G., Villarreal, M. et al. · NeuroImage (2019)

51 cited
Self-Rated Effectiveness of Microdosing With Psychedelics for Mental and Physical Health Problems Among Microdosers

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Psilocybin-assisted mindfulness training modulates self-consciousness and brain default mode network connectivity with lasting effects

Smigielski, L., Scheidegger, M., Kometer, M. et al. · NeuroImage (2019)

Psilocybin lacks antidepressant-like effect in the Flinders Sensitive Line rat

Jefsen, O., Højgaard, K., Christiansen, S. L. et al. · Acta Neuropsychiatrica (2019)

60 cited
Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function

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Effective connectivity changes in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness in humans

Preller, K. H., Razi, A., Zeidman, P. et al. · PNAS (2019)

The effects of microdose LSD on time perception: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

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The Varieties of the Psychedelic Experience: A Preliminary Study of the Association Between the Reported Subjective Effects and the Binding Affinity Profiles of Substituted Phenethylamines and Tryptamines

Zamberlan, F., Sanz, C., Pallavicini, C. et al. · Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience (2018)

Double-blind comparison of the two hallucinogens psilocybin and dextromethorphan: effects on cognition

Barrett, F. S., Carbonaro, T. M., Hurwitz, E. et al. · Psychopharmacology (2018)

78 cited
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research and Development

Schenberg, E. E. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2018)

Role of the 5-HT2A Receptor in Self- and Other-Initiated Social Interaction in Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-Induced States: A Pharmacological fMRI Study

Preller, K. H., Schilbach, L., Pokorny, T. et al. · Journal of Neuroscience (2018)

Unifying theories of psychedelic drug effects

Swanson, L. R. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2018)

Neuroticism is associated with challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms

Barrett, F. S., Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R. · Personality and Individual Differences (2017)

78 cited
Serotonin 2A receptor signaling underlies LSD-induced alteration of the neural response to dynamic changes in music

Barrett, F. S., Preller, K. H., Herdener, M. et al. · Cerebral Cortex (2017)

The Mechanisms of Psychedelic Visionary Experiences: Hypotheses from Evolutionary Psychology

Winkelman, M. J. · Frontiers in Neuroscience (2017)

Qualitative and quantitative features of music reported to support peak mystical experiences during psychedelic therapy sessions

Slevc, L. R., Barrett, F. S., Robbins, H. et al. · Frontiers in Psychology (2017)

Modern clinical research on LSD

Liechti, M. E. · Neuropsychopharmacology (2017)

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