“Diversity makes the richness of humanity”: the emergence of mental imagery after self-reported psilocybin mushrooms intake in an autistic woman with “blind imagination” (aphantasia): a 1-year retrospective case report DOI Open Access
Kevin Rebecchi

Published: Aug. 16, 2023

This retrospective case report explores the impact of psilocybin mushroom intake on emergence mental imagery in an autistic woman with aphantasia. Aphantasia refers to inability generate visual images, which can significantly affect individuals' experiences and cognitive processes. The study focuses a 34-year-old who had been living aphantasia since childhood. After consuming mushrooms, she reported experiencing vivid for first time, ability manipulate explore images her mind. effects persisted even after psychedelic subsided. woman's assessment using Vividness Visual Imagery Questionnaire revealed significant increase vividness scores post-intake. findings align previous research brain connectivity, neuroplasticity, processing. highlights potential modulate individuals suggests avenues further research. Moreover, it raises questions about classification pathologization aphantasia, emphasizing importance recognizing diversity promoting well-being different profiles, including

Language: Английский

On the varieties of conscious experiences: Altered Beliefs Under Psychedelics (ALBUS) DOI Creative Commons
Adam Safron, Arthur Juliani, Nicco Reggente

et al.

Neuroscience of Consciousness, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 2025(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract How is it that psychedelics so profoundly impact brain and mind? According to the model of “Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics” (REBUS), 5-HT2a agonism thought help relax prior expectations, thus making room for new perspectives patterns. Here, we introduce an alternative (but largely compatible) perspective, proposing REBUS effects may primarily correspond a particular potentially pivotal) regime very high levels receptor agonism. Depending on both variety contextual factors specific neural systems being considered, suggest opposite also occur in which synchronous activity becomes more powerful, with accompanying “Strengthened (SEBUS) effects. Such SEBUS are consistent enhanced meaning-making observed psychedelic therapy (e.g. psychological insight noetic quality mystical experiences), imposition expectations perception hallucinations pareidolia), delusional thinking sometimes occurs during experiences apophenia, paranoia, engendering inaccurate interpretations events, false memories). With “Altered (ALBUS), propose manifestation vs. vary across dose–response curve signaling. While explore diverse range complex models, our basic idea fundamentally simple: can be understood as kinds waking dream states varying degrees lucidity, similar underlying mechanisms. We further demonstrate utility ALBUS by providing neurophenomenological models focusing mechanisms conscious perceptual synthesis, dreaming, episodic memory mental simulation.

Language: Английский

Citations

0

Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Potential Synergies DOI Creative Commons
Richard Chambers, Devon Stoliker, Otto Simonsson

et al.

Mindfulness, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(9), P. 2111 - 2123

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Abstract Objectives The mindfulness-informed intervention that has so far received the most attention as an adjunct to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), but little remains known about potential synergies between mindfulness-based interventions such Mindfulness-Based Cognitive (MBCT). This paper examines evaluates therapeutic compatibility of MBCT with psychotherapy, their synergies. Methods study represents a narrative review current literature on MBCT. Results We demonstrate how targets core processes including acceptance, being present, concentration, decentering embracing difficulties — outline why strengthening these capacities systematic meditation training may prove invaluable during preparation, dosing integration phases psychotherapy. Conclusions MBCT’s emphasis in mindfulness fostering nonjudgmental presence aligns well states consciousness induced by psychedelics, highlighting its enhance various stages both psychedelic experience subsequent integration. By equipping individuals effective cognitive restructuring techniques, offer advantages beyond those provided ACT, ability skillfully navigate manage challenging experiences can emerge different suggests unique approach complement ways ACT not fully address, particularly context handling experiences.

Language: Английский

Citations

8

Visual hallucinations originating in the retinofugal pathway under clinical and psychedelic conditions DOI Creative Commons
Zeus Tipado, Kim P. C. Kuypers, Bettina Sorger

et al.

European Neuropsychopharmacology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 85, P. 10 - 20

Published: April 21, 2024

Psychedelics like LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) and psilocybin are known to modulate perceptual modalities due the activation of mostly serotonin receptors in specific cortical (e.g., visual cortex) subcortical thalamus) regions brain. In domain, these psychedelic modulations often result peculiar disturbances viewed objects light sometimes even hallucinations non-existent environments, objects, creatures. Although underlying processes poorly understood, research conducted over past twenty years on subjective experience psychedelics details theories that attempt explain alterations a disruption communication between regions. However, rare medical conditions system Charles Bonnet syndrome cause distortions may shed new additional importance retinofugal pathway experiences. Interneurons retina called amacrine cells could be first site modulation aid disrupting hierarchical structure how humans perceive information. This paper presents an understanding communicates modulates information clinical conditions. Therefore, we elucidate theory pathway.

Language: Английский

Citations

1

“Diversity makes the richness of humanity”: the emergence of mental imagery after self-reported psilocybin mushrooms intake in an autistic woman with “blind imagination” (aphantasia): a 1-year retrospective case report DOI Open Access
Kevin Rebecchi

Published: Aug. 16, 2023

This retrospective case report explores the impact of psilocybin mushroom intake on emergence mental imagery in an autistic woman with aphantasia. Aphantasia refers to inability generate visual images, which can significantly affect individuals' experiences and cognitive processes. The study focuses a 34-year-old who had been living aphantasia since childhood. After consuming mushrooms, she reported experiencing vivid for first time, ability manipulate explore images her mind. effects persisted even after psychedelic subsided. woman's assessment using Vividness Visual Imagery Questionnaire revealed significant increase vividness scores post-intake. findings align previous research brain connectivity, neuroplasticity, processing. highlights potential modulate individuals suggests avenues further research. Moreover, it raises questions about classification pathologization aphantasia, emphasizing importance recognizing diversity promoting well-being different profiles, including

Language: Английский

Citations

0