Psychedelic experience and the narrative self an exploratory qualitative study
Date
2020
Authors
Amada, N.
Lea, T.
Letheby, C.
Shane, J.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Journal of Consciousness Studies: controversies in science and the humanities, 2020; 27(9-10):6-33
Statement of Responsibility
Amada, N., Lea, T., Letheby, C., Shane, J.
Conference Name
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that psychedelic experiences elicit lasting psychological benefits by altering narrative selfhood, which has yet to be explicitly studied. The present study investigates retrospective reports (n = 418) of changes to narrative self that participants believe resulted from, or were catalysed by, their psychedelic experience(s). Responses to open-ended questions were analysed using inductive and deductive thematic coding and interpreted within agent-centred approaches to development and well-being. Themes include decentred introspection, greater access to self-knowledge, positive shifts in self-evaluation processes, greater psychological and behavioural autonomy, and enhanced connectedness with others and the world. While this explorative qualitative study offers some initial support for the explanation that changes to narrative self are a cornerstone of psychedelics' therapeutic and transformative potential, methodological and recruiting limitations preclude the ability to make objective claims and generalizations. Future scientific research is necessary to further elucidate this hypothesized mechanism.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
© CLA, The Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd.