Psychedelic integration: An analysis of the concept and its practice

Bathje, Geoff J.; Majeski, Eric; Kudowor, Mesphina

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.824077

Cited by 65 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…It is a practice in its infancy. A recent overview of psychedelic integration (Bathje et al, 2022) begins by acknowledging that there are "many definitions of psychedelic integration, and the term encompasses a range of practices and techniques. This seems to have led to confusion about what integration is" (ibid., p. 1).…”

Section: Psychedelic-induced Metaphysical Experiencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the need for metaphysics in psychedelic therapy and research

Sjöstedt-Hughes

2023

Front. Psychol.

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The essential proposal of this text is that psychedelic-induced metaphysical experiences should be integrated and evaluated with recourse to metaphysics. It will be argued that there is a potential extra benefit to patients in psychedelic-assisted therapy if they are provided with an optional, additional, and intelligible schema and discussion of metaphysical options at the integrative phase of the therapy. This schema (the “Metaphysics Matrix”) and a new Metaphysics Matrix Questionnaire (“MMQ”) stemming therefrom will be presented, the latter of which can also be used as an alternative or additional tool for quantitative measurement of psychedelic experience in trials. Metaphysics is not mysticism, despite some overlap; and certainly not all psychedelic experience is metaphysical or mystical—all three terms will be defined and contrasted. Thereafter psychedelic therapy will be presented and analysed in order to reveal the missing place for metaphysics. Metaphysics, with epistemology (theory of knowledge) and axiology (ethics and aesthetics), is a defining branch of Philosophy. Metaphysics, in contrast to mysticism, is considered to be based on argument rather than pure revelation. Thus, in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy one sees here the potential bridge between reason-based philosophy and practical therapy—or, more broadly, with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy there is the potential and mutually beneficial fusion of philosophy with practical science.

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Section: Psychedelic-induced Metaphysical Experiencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the need for metaphysics in psychedelic therapy and research

Sjöstedt-Hughes

2023

Front. Psychol.

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“…Experiences that impact global worldviews, such as PAT, can contribute to challenges if they are difficult to reconcile with existing worldviews and may require specialized support for integration. 55 Because existential worldviews are an important coping resource, struggles related to worldviews can constitute a double challenge comprising initial distress 56 coupled with reduction in the coping resources that would otherwise help manage the distress. 57 For this reason, it is important to ensure that SERT-relevant concerns are addressed as part of safety considerations, including ensuring that patients have support in making sense of worldview-related struggles.…”

Section: Safetymentioning

confidence: 99%

Importance of Integrating Spiritual, Existential, Religious, and Theological Components in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies

et al. 2023

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ImportanceMounting evidence supports the role of spiritual, existential, religious, and theological components in mediating psychedelic-assisted therapy, yet integration of these elements into the clinical setting is laggingObservationsAlthough psychedelic-assisted therapy commonly produces spiritually, existentially, religiously, or theologically relevant experiences for patients, these have not been systematically integrated into the psychotherapies that accompany therapeutic uses of psychedelics. As a key feature and potential mediator of therapeutic effects, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies should include these topics in the treatment model. Research across multiple diagnostic targets and treatment contexts suggests that spiritually integrated psychotherapies are effective, feasible, and produce add-on benefits in spiritually, existentially, religiously, and theologically relevant outcomes, which are particularly germane to psychedelics. Established standards in spiritually integrated psychotherapy may be fruitfully applied to psychedelic-assisted therapy. Objectives for spiritually, existentially, religiously, and theologically integrated psychedelic-assisted therapy based on these standards and informed by considerations specific to psychedelics are recommended.Conclusions and RelevanceSpiritual, existential, religious, and theological topics’ integration in psychedelic-assisted therapy is needed to ensure culturally competent, evidence-based treatment aligned with the highest standards of clinical care. Neglecting to address these topics can detract from cultural competence, contribute to risks for patients, and potentially undermine treatment success.

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“…In psychedelic parlance, 'integration' is defined as an important process for bringing the insights and benefits from a psychedelic experience back into daily life, and also for assimilating any challenges that arose during the experience (e.g. Aixala, 2022;Bathje, Majeski, & Kudowor, 2022;Earleywine, Low, Lau, & De Leo, 2022;Gorman, Nielson, Molinar, Cassidy, & Sabbagh, 2021;Pilecki et al, 2021;Read & Papaspyrou, 2021). The term 'challenge' is employed as it denotes an experience that is demanding but transient, and that does not result in any serious or lasting harmin fact it may be ultimately understood as cathartic.…”

Section: The Present Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychedelic integration challenges: Participant experiences after a psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands

Lutkajtis

Evans

2023

JPS

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This article reports on integration challenges that were experienced by nine individuals who attended a three-day legal psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach, using semi-structured interviews to gain an understanding of participants' (n = 30) psilocybin experiences and their after-effects. While the study did not actively seek to measure integration issues or unexpected side effects, nine out of thirty participants (30%) spontaneously reported a post-experience integration challenge. These challenges included: mood fluctuations, ‘post-ecstatic blues’, disconnection from community, re-experiencing symptoms, spiritual bypass and perceived lack of support. Integration challenges were transient; they occurred immediately after the psilocybin experience (once the main psychedelic effects had worn off) and in the days and weeks following the retreat, and resolved with time. Integration challenges were also correlated with positive after-effects including long-term remission of significant health conditions. The experiences related in this article align with existing literature that describes the ‘spiritual emergency’ phenomenon; that is, the potential challenges that can arise after ecstatic experiences and how these challenges may be integral to the transformative potential of such experiences. We discuss the implications for psychedelic integration and harm reduction practices and for future psychedelic research.

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Psychedelic integration: An analysis of the concept and its practice

Cited by 65 publications

References 36 publications

On the need for metaphysics in psychedelic therapy and research

On the need for metaphysics in psychedelic therapy and research

Importance of Integrating Spiritual, Existential, Religious, and Theological Components in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies

Psychedelic integration challenges: Participant experiences after a psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands

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