Psychedelic experience and the narrative self an exploratory qualitative study

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorAmada, N.
dc.contributor.authorLea, T.
dc.contributor.authorLetheby, C.
dc.contributor.authorShane, J.
dc.date.issued2020
dc.description.abstractIt 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.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityAmada, N., Lea, T., Letheby, C., Shane, J.
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Consciousness Studies: controversies in science and the humanities, 2020; 27(9-10):6-33
dc.identifier.issn1355-8250
dc.identifier.orcidLetheby, C. [0000-0002-6293-7873]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/131942
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherImprint Academic
dc.rights© CLA, The Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd.
dc.source.urihttps://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/imp/jcs/2020/00000027/f0020009/art00001
dc.titlePsychedelic experience and the narrative self an exploratory qualitative study
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

Files

Collections

Philosophy publications