Psilocybin occasioned mystical‐type experiences

Abstract

Objective Research into psychedelic therapy models has shown promise for the treatment of specific psychiatric conditions. Mystical‐type experiences occasioned by psilocybin have been correlated with therapeutic benefits and long‐term improvements in positive mental outlook and attitudes. This article aims to provide an overview of the topic, highlight strengths and weaknesses in current research, generate novel perspectives and discussion, and consider future avenues for research. Design This narrative review was designed to summarise and assess the state of research on psilocybin occasioned mystical‐type experiences and applications for the treatment of specific psychiatric conditions. Results Contemporary methods on the quantification of mystical‐type experiences and their acute subjective effects are discussed. Recent studies provide some understanding of the pharmacological actions of psychedelics although the neurological similarities and differences between spontaneous and psychedelic mystical‐type experiences are not well described. Applicability to modern clinical settings is assessed. Potential novel therapeutic applications include use in positive psychology interventions in healthy individuals. Conclusions Since 2006 significant advancements in understanding the therapeutic potential of psilocybin‐assisted psychotherapy have been made; however, more work is required to understand the neuromechanistic processes and applicability in modern clinical settings. Despite promising results in recent studies, funding issues for clinical trials, legal concerns and socio‐cultural resistance provide a counterpoint to experimental evidence.

The Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin

“…In patients with mental or psychiatric disorders, suicidal ideation and auto-mutilation are possible risks of magic mushroom ingestion and, though rare, have been documented in the literature [ 244 ]. Another risk is the possibility of exacerbating psychotic symptoms [ 192 ]. As a result, having psychotic disorders such as schizophrenic tendencies is a contraindication for undergoing psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, particularly psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy [ 245 ].…”

“…However, there are limitations that must be overcome before it can become an established part of psychiatric treatment. These limitations include the highly sensationalized global history and lingering negative stigmatization of psychedelic drugs, particularly in the United States, challenges with federal regulations, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and (European Medicines Agency) EMA approval and federal funding for clinical psychedelic studies [ 2 ], the lack of standardized psychedelic/psilocybin diagnostic and therapeutic practices [ 257 ], particularly in inducing “mystical experiences” that are essential to the outcome of psilocybin therapy [ 192 ], lack of larger, more sufficient double-blinded, randomized, clinical studies to assess safety, pharmacology and dose–response relationships for each mood and anxiety disorder [ 158 ], and challenges with intellectual property (IP) and securing enforceable patents, seeing that mushrooms grow naturally. A result of this IP challenge is the unwillingness of some investors to invest in the psilocybin industry.…”

Psychedelics and Psychotherapy

“…An enhanced sense of meaning is perhaps the overriding hallmark of the psychedelic experience, even above mystical phenomena and visual alteration [49][50][51][52][53]. This is best exemplified by the "noetic quality" of psychedelic mystical experiences.…”

N,N‐dimethyltryptamine and Amazonian ayahuasca plant medicine

“…A change of Schedule from Schedule 1, acknowledging potential medical applications of DMT is justifiable at this point and such a change in Schedule would facilitate further medical studies (dos . As is the case with cannabis (James et al, 2021) and psilocybin (James et al, 2020), the investment route is challenging due to the compounds being natural products and the lack of financial incentive for private companies to conduct such research as a result of this (dos .…”