OPEN Foundation

Embedding existential psychology within psychedelic science: reduced death anxiety as a mediator of the therapeutic effects of psychedelics.

Abstract

Psychedelic therapies can engender enduring improvements in psychological well-being. However, relatively little is known about the psychological mechanisms through which the salutary effects of psychedelics emerge. Through integrating extant research on psychedelics with contemporary existential psychology, we present a novel hypothesis that reduced death anxiety may be a key mechanism underpinning the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. In developing this hypothesis, we also provide a complementary review of mechanisms through which psychedelics may reduce death anxiety. We conclude that an awareness of the role of death anxiety in psychopathology has the potential to guide future research into psychedelic therapies.

Moreton, S. G., Szalla, L., Menzies, R. E., & Arena, A. F. (2019). Embedding existential psychology within psychedelic science: reduced death anxiety as a mediator of the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. 29, 1-12., https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05391-0
Link to full text

OPEN Foundation

Share This Post

get the latest

The OPEN Minded Newsletter keeps you informed about the latest psychedelic research & news, articles, exclusive events, job opportunities, programmes, and free resources!

By clicking SUBSCRIBE, I confirm to receive emails from the OPEN Foundation and agree with its privacy policy.

interested in becoming a trained psychedelic-assisted therapist?

Management of Psychedelic-Related Complications - Online Event - Nov 20th