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Phenomenology

IJTS Special Topic Section: Ketamine ● Ketamine Psychedelic Psychotherapy: Focus on its Pharmacology, Phenomenology, and Clinical Applications

January 1, 2014 / Ketamine, Medicine, Other subjects, Papers, Phenomenology, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Publications / By / , , , , , ,

Abstract

Meant to be an authoritative guide for psychiatrists and others interested in understanding and applying ketamine psychedelic psychotherapy (KPP), this paper focuses on its pharmacology, phenomenology, and clinical applications. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic widely used by physicians and veterinarians in the United States. In addition to its anesthetic and dissociative properties, ketamine also has a multitude of other psychological and pharmacological properties, which include analgesic, sedative, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, antidepressant, stimulant, euphoriant, and hallucinogenic effects. The literature on the clinical application of KPP is comprehensively reviewed, practical advice for using KPP is given, and the pharmacology and phenomenology of ketamine-induced psychedelic experiences are explored, including in relationship to transpersonal healing and possible iatrogenic consequences of misuse of KPP.

Kolp, E., Krupitsky, E., Sylvester, M., Kolp, A., Friedman, H. L., Jansen, K., & Young, M. S. (2014). Ketamine Psychedelic Psychotherapy: Focus on its Pharmacology, Phenomenology, and Clinical Applications. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 33(2).
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Psilocybin – Summary of knowledge and new perspectives

December 17, 2013 / Addiction, Anxiety disorders / PTSD, Chemistry, Cluster headache, Depression, HPPD, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Mystical experiences, Neuroscience, Papers, Personality, Phenomenology, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Psychosis, Psychotherapy, Publications, Safety, Spirituality, Toxicology / By / , ,

Abstract

Psilocybin, a psychoactive alkaloid contained in hallucinogenic mushrooms, is nowadays given a lot of attention in the scientific community as a research tool for modeling psychosis as well as due to its potential therapeutic effects. However, it is also a very popular and frequently abused natural hallucinogen. This review summarizes all the past and recent knowledge on psilocybin. It briefly deals with its history, discusses the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and compares its action in humans and animals. It attempts to describe the mechanism of psychedelic effects and objectify its action using modern imaging and psychometric methods. Finally, it describes its therapeutic and abuse potential.

Tylš, F., Páleníček, T., & Horáček, J. (2014). Psilocybin – Summary of knowledge and new perspectives. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 24, 342-365. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.12.006

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Salvia divinorum: A Psychopharmacological Riddle and a Mind-Body Prospect

March 1, 2013 / Chemistry, Ethnobotany, Papers, Phenomenology, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Publications, Salvia / Salvinorin A / By /

Abstract

The multidisciplinary research on Salvia divinorum and its chemical principles is analyzed concerning whether the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, mental effects, and neuropharmacology of this sacred psychoactive plant and main principle clarify its experienced effects and divinatory uses. The scientific pursuit spans from the traditional practices, continues with the botanical identification, isolation of active molecules, characterization of mental and neural effects, possible therapeutic applications, and impinges upon the mind-body problem. The departure point is ethnopharmacology and therefore the traditional beliefs, ritual uses, and mental effects of this Mazatec sacred mint recorded during a 1973-1983 field research project are described. A water potion of crushed leaves produced short-lasting light-headedness, dysphoria, tactile and proprioceptive sensations, a sense of depersonalization, amplified sound perception, and an increase visual and auditory imagery, but not actual hallucinations. Similar effects were described using questionnaires and are attributable to salvinorin A, but cannot be explained solely by its specific and potent brain kappa-opioid receptor agonist activity. Some requirements for a feasible classification and mechanism of action of consciousness-altering products are proposed and include the activation of neural networks comprising several neurochemical systems. Top-down analyses should be undertaken in order to characterize such neural networks and eventually allowing to explore the differential ethnic effects. As is the case for other consciousness-altering preparations, a careful and encompassing research on this plant and principle can be consequential to endeavors ranging from the mind-body problem, a better understanding of shamanic ecstasy, to the potential generation of analgesic, antidepressant, and drug-abuse attenuating products.

Diaz, J-L (2013) Salvia divinorum: A Psychopharmacological Riddle and a Mind-Body Prospect. Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 6(1), 43-53.
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Research on psychedelic substances

July 6, 2012 / History, LSD, Mystical experiences, Other disciplines, Papers, Phenomenology, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Publications / By / ,

Introduction

The term ‘psychedelic ’ (i.e. mind-manifesting) was coined by Humphrey Osmond to characterize a grou p of substances that are capable of liberating human perception from cultural conditioning, providing an op ening to the transcendent qualities of being human. Osmond claimed that LSD and similar drugs may give people insightful experiences that enable them to better understand themselves and their relationships with the world. Psychedelic substances have the potential to show mindmanifesting properties under appropriate internally and externally supported conditions. They can offer lucid insights into one’s psychological make-up and functioning. They are also capable of inducing a spectrum of inner experiences, sometimes
referred to as ‘religious’ or ‘mystical’. Another commonly used term for these substances is ‘hallucinogens’, although this synonym is viewed as controversial because of the implication that they somehow cause hallucinations, which they do very rarely. Most psychedelic substances produce visual alterations of perceived objects and pseudohallucinations which are understood by the subject to be ‘illusionary’ in character […]
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Brandt, S. D., & Passie, T. (2012). Research on psychedelic substances. Drug testing and analysis, 4(7-8), 539-542. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/dta.1389
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Genuine and drug-induced synesthesia: a comparison

April 21, 2012 / Other substances, Papers, Phenomenology, Psychology, Publications / By / , , , , ,

Abstract

Despite some principal similarities, there is no systematic comparison between the different types of synesthesia (genuine, acquired and drug-induced). This comprehensive review compares the three principal types of synesthesia and focuses on their phenomenological features and their relation to different etiological models. Implications of this comparison for the validity of the different etiological models are discussed.

Comparison of the three forms of synesthesia show many more differences than similarities. This is in contrast to their representation in the literature, where they are discussed in many respects as being virtually similar. Noteworthy is the much broader spectrum and intensity with the typical drug-induced synesthesias compared to genuine and acquired synesthesias. A major implication of the phenomenological comparison in regard to the etiological models is that genuine and acquired synesthesias point to morphological substrates, while drug-induced synesthesia appears to be based on functional changes of brain activity.

Sinke, C., Halpern, J. H., Zedler, M., Neufeld, J., Emrich, H. M., & Passie, T. (2012). Genuine and drug-induced synesthesia: a comparison. Consciousness and cognition, 21(3), 1419-1434. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2012.03.009
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Heaven and Hell—A Phenomenological Study of Recreational Use of 4-HO-MET in Sweden

August 29, 2011 / New substances, Other substances, Papers, Phenomenology, Psychology, Publications / By / ,

Abstract

The psychoactive substance 4-HO-MET (4-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine) with psychedelic qualities is one of many legal so-called Internet drugs. The aim of this qualitative study was to establish an understanding of what characterizes its recreational use. Very little is known about the effects of this substance. Twenty-five anonymous Swedish experience reports (from persons aged 18–30 years) from public Internet forums were analyzed using the Empirical Phenomenological Psychological Method. The analysis produced 37 categories that were compiled into nine general themes: (1) motivation, preparation and expectation; (2) initial effects; (3) change of perception; (4) unfiltered awareness and intensified flow of information; (5) lateral cognition; (6) border between subject and object is erased; (7) heaven; (8) hell; and (9) subsiding effects. An understanding of the chronological happenings, called The Process, appeared out of the general structure. Drastic changes in cognitive, emotional and bodily functions were described. The motivation for use seemed to be driven by a strong curiosity. The experiences shifted between “heaven” and “hell,” but participants appeared satisfied and ready to repeat the experience. The experiences described show great similarity with classic psychedelic substances as LSD or psilocybin. More research is needed about health hazards or possible therapeutic potentials.

Kjellgren, A., & Soussan, C. (2011). Heaven and Hell—A Phenomenological Study of Recreational Use of 4-HO-MET in Sweden. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 43(3), 211-219. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2011.605699
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Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Subjective effects and patterns of use among Australian recreational users

September 1, 2010 / Ayahuasca, DMT, Papers, Phenomenology, Psychology, Publications / By / ,

Abstract

Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an endogenous hallucinogen with traditional use as a sacrament in the orally active preparation of ayahuasca. Although the religious use of ayahuasca has been examined extensively, very little is known about the recreational use of DMT. In this study, Australian participants (n = 121) reporting at least one lifetime use of DMT completed an online questionnaire recording patterns of use, subjective effects and attitudes towards their DMT use. Smoking DMT was by far the most common route of administration (98.3%) with a comparatively smaller proportion reporting use of ayahuasca (30.6%). The reasons for first trying DMT were out of a general interest in hallucinogenic drugs (46.6%) or curiosity about DMT’s effects (41.7%), while almost one-third (31.1%) cited possible psychotherapeutic benefits of the drug. An increase in psychospiritual insight was the most commonly reported positive effect of both smoked DMT (75.5%) and ayahuasca (46.7%), a finding that is consistent with other studies examining the ritualised use of ayahuasca in a religious context. Although previous studies of DMT use have examined ayahuasca use exclusively, the present study demonstrates the ubiquity of smoking as the most prevalent route of administration among recreational DMT users.

Cakica, V., Potkonyakb, J., & Marshalla, A. (2010). Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Subjective effects and patterns of use among Australian recreational users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 111(1-2), 30-37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.03.015
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Experiences of Encounters with Ayahuasca – “the Vine of the Soul”

December 10, 2009 / Ayahuasca, Papers, Phenomenology, Psychology, Publications / By / , ,

Abstract

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew used by the indigenous populations of the Amazon. The aim of this qualitative study was to gain insight into the experiences of western users of ayahuasca, as well as to ascertain the experienced meaning that participants felt by their participation. Twenty-five people from Northern Europe with experiences of group sessions with ayahuasca wrote anonymous descriptions of their experiences. The Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method was used for this analysis. The analysis resulted in 33 c^egories which weie assembled into six getieral themes: (a) motivation and aim, (h) contractile frightening state (c) sudden transformation of the experience, (d) limitless expansive states with transcendental experiences, (f) reflections, and (g) changed woridview and new orientation to life. These themes provided a new structure, called the transcendental circle. Participants reponed many positive psychological and physical improvements that indicate that ayahuasca could be of potential interest in the development of new medicines and therapies.

Kjellgren, A., Eriksson, A., & Norlander, T. (2009). Experiences of Encounters with Ayahuasca – ‘the Vine of the Soul. Joumal of Psychoactive Drugs, 41(4), 309-315. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2009.10399767
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The Phenomenology and Potential Religious Import of States of Consciousness Facilitated by Psilocybin

October 30, 2008 / Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Mystical experiences, Neuroscience, Papers, Personal development, Phenomenology, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Psychotherapy, Publications, Religious studies, Spirituality / By /

Abstract

Accompanying the resumption of human research with the entheogen (psychedelic drug), psilocybin, the range of states of consciousness reported during its action, including both nonmystical and mystical forms of experience, is surveyed and defined. The science and art of facilitating mystical experiences is discussed on the basis of research experience. The potential religious import of these states of consciousness is noted in terms of recognizing the reality of the spiritual, in better understanding the biochemistry of revelation, and in exploring the potentially positive contributions that mystical consciousness may effect in psychological treatment.

Richards, W. A. (2008). The Phenomenology and Potential Religious Import of States of Consciousness Facilitated by Psilocybin. Archive for the Psychology of Religion, 30, 189-199. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/157361208X317196
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Effects of varied doses of psilocybin on time interval reproduction in human subjects

April 11, 2008 / Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Other disciplines, Other subjects, Papers, Phenomenology, Psychology, Publications / By / , , ,

Abstract

Action of a hallucinogenic substance, psilocybin, on internal time representation was investigated in two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies: Experiment 1 with 12 subjects and graded doses, and Experiment 2 with 9 subjects and a very low dose. The task consisted in repeated reproductions of time intervals in the range from 1.5 to 5 s. The effects were assessed by parameter κκ of the ‘dual klepsydra’ model of internal time representation, fitted to individual response data and intra-individually normalized with respect to initial values. The estimates View the MathML sourceκˆ were in the same order of magnitude as in earlier studies. In both experiments, κκ was significantly increased by psilocybin at 90 min from the drug intake, indicating a higher loss rate of the internal duration representation. These findings are tentatively linked to qualitative alterations of subjective time in altered states of consciousness.

Wackermann, J., Wittmann, M., Hasler, F., & Vollenweider, F. X. (2008). Effects of varied doses of psilocybin on time interval reproduction in human subjects. Neuroscience letters, 435(1), 51-55. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2008.02.006
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30 April - Q&A with Rick Strassman

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