Psychedelic Induced Transpersonal Experiences, Therapies, and Their Implications for Transpersonal Psychology

Roberts, Thomas B.; Winkelman, Michael

doi:10.1002/9781118591277.ch25

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…In any case, even if specific neurobiological processes can be identified in the induction of specific anomalous experiences, or even states, does not mean to say that a reductionist argument has prevailed, because as Huxley also stated, psychedelics are the occasion not the cause-the ontology of the ensuing experience still needs fathoming whether the neurobiological mediating factors are determined or not. Ultimately, the importance of these anomalous experiences may be determined by what we can learn about ontology, consciousness and our identity as living organisms, and by what use they may be in psychotherapy, one's own spiritual quest, and as catalysts for personal transformation and healing (Roberts & Winkelman, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anomalous Psychedelic Experiences: At the Neurochemical Juncture of the Humanistic and Parapsychological

Luke

2020

Journal of Humanistic Psychology

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This article explores the nature of psychedelically induced anomalous experiences for what they reveal regarding the nature of “expanded consciousness” and its implications for humanistic and transpersonal psychology, parapsychology, and the psychology and underlying neuroscience of such experiences. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, this essay reviews the nature of 10 transpersonal or parapsychological experiences that commonly occur spontaneously and in relation to the use of psychedelic substances, namely synesthesia, extradimensional percepts, out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, entity encounters, alien abduction, sleep paralysis, interspecies communication, possession, and psi (telepathy, precognition, and clairvoyance and psychokinesis).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anomalous Psychedelic Experiences: At the Neurochemical Juncture of the Humanistic and Parapsychological

Luke

2020

Journal of Humanistic Psychology

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“…The ego boundary is one of the ego functions most often discussed in contemporary psychedelic research (Roberts and Winkelman, 2013;Preller and Vollenweider, 2016;Smigielski et al, 2020;Scheidegger, TABLE 1 Ego functions and their components, as defined by Bellak and Sheehy (1976). 2021; Fischman, 2022); conceptually similar terms include psychic membrane, psychic envelope, or contact barrier (Rabeyron, 2021).…”

Section: Ego Functions -Ego Boundarymentioning

confidence: 99%

The ego in psychedelic drug action – ego defenses, ego boundaries, and the therapeutic role of regression

Buchborn,

Kettner,

Kärtner

et al. 2023

Front. Neurosci.

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The ego is one of the most central psychological constructs in psychedelic research and a key factor in psychotherapy, including psychedelic-assisted forms of psychotherapy. Despite its centrality, the ego-construct remains ambiguous in the psychedelic literature. Therefore, we here review the theoretical background of the ego-construct with focus on its psychodynamic conceptualization. We discuss major functions of the ego including ego boundaries, defenses, and synthesis, and evaluate the role of the ego in psychedelic drug action. According to the psycholytic paradigm, psychedelics are capable of inducing regressed states of the ego that are less protected by the ego’s usual defensive apparatus. In such states, core early life conflicts may emerge that have led to maladaptive ego patterns. We use the psychodynamic term character in this paper as a potential site of change and rearrangement; character being the chronic and habitual patterns the ego utilizes to adapt to the everyday challenges of life, including a preferred set of defenses. We argue that in order for psychedelic-assisted therapy to successfully induce lasting changes to the ego’s habitual patterns, it must psycholytically permeate the characterological core of the habits. The primary working principle of psycholytic therapy therefore is not the state of transient ego regression alone, but rather the regressively favored emotional integration of those early life events that have shaped the foundation, development, and/or rigidification of a person’s character – including his or her defense apparatus. Aiming for increased flexibility of habitual ego patterns, the psycholytic approach is generally compatible with other forms of psychedelic-assisted therapy, such as third wave cognitive behavioral approaches.

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“…Smith wrote about the event and spoke about it publicly. For an interview with Smith on the subject, see Roberts and Jesse (1997).…”

Section: Endnotesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Entheogens: Psychedelic religion in the United States, part one

Stoddard

2023

Religion Compass

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Scholars across the academic spectrum have written about the renewed interest in psychedelics that is commonly called the Psychedelic Renaissance (PR). Psychedelic religion is a major component of the PR, as psychedelic churches are growing exponentially and as people who consume and who research psychedelics routinely contend that these substances induce or occasion religious, spiritual, or mystical experiences. Scholars have noticed the growing association of psychoactive substances and religiosity, and they have addressed this association from a variety of academic fields, methods, and methodologies. This article explores the historiography of associations of psychoactive substances and religiosity in the United States from the 1800s to the 1980s.

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Psychedelic Induced Transpersonal Experiences, Therapies, and Their Implications for Transpersonal Psychology

Cited by 5 publications

References 20 publications

Anomalous Psychedelic Experiences: At the Neurochemical Juncture of the Humanistic and Parapsychological

Anomalous Psychedelic Experiences: At the Neurochemical Juncture of the Humanistic and Parapsychological

The ego in psychedelic drug action – ego defenses, ego boundaries, and the therapeutic role of regression

Entheogens: Psychedelic religion in the United States, part one

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