Depersonalisation /Derealisation (DP/DR) has been an object of interest in clinical psychology for many years, with its exact causes still uncertain and debated. As part of a pilot study for a...Show moreDepersonalisation /Derealisation (DP/DR) has been an object of interest in clinical psychology for many years, with its exact causes still uncertain and debated. As part of a pilot study for a larger study, this paper attempts to integrate information from previous studies to link DP/DR to disrupted interoceptive processes, indicated through a disruption in the sense of presence in the real world and decreased heart rate variability (HRV). By using a virtual reality (VR) experience to induce an altered state of consciousness, data from questionnaires and electrocardiogram (ECG) measures were used to determine the relations between the sense of presence and HRV, depending on whether attention was directed, or the participant was allowed to fully immerse themselves in the experience. While no significant results were found, the limitation of a small sample size does not necessarily imply the rejection of the theoretical assumptions shaping the proposed hypothesis, and trends in the data may reflect the theoretical background.Show less
Psychedelics have long been known to deeply affect a person’s psyche. The current study investigated whether the intensity of psychedelic-induced mystical experiences is positively associated with...Show morePsychedelics have long been known to deeply affect a person’s psyche. The current study investigated whether the intensity of psychedelic-induced mystical experiences is positively associated with death transcendence and negatively with fear of death, and whether greater death transcendence is related to a decreased fear of death. Moreover, this study aimed to ascertain whether death transcendence is positively associated with meaning in life, mediated by fear of death. It also investigated self-reported reasons for potential changes in psychedelic users’ fear of death. To test these hypotheses, an online survey including the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), the Death Transcendence Scale (DTS), the Revised Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale (CL-FODS), and the Three-Dimensional Meaning in Life Scale (3DM) was conducted. Overall, 111 individuals (including 74 psychedelic users) completed the survey. To analyze the data, Pearson correlations were calculated, Linear Regression analyses, a thematic analysis, and an Independent-Samples t-test were conducted. The results show that a more intense psychedelic-induced mystical experience is positively associated with death transcendence and negatively with fear of death. However, no significant relationships could be found between the other variables. Finally, the thematic analysis suggests that there are qualitative connections between all of the concepts relevant to the present study. Due to some limitations of the current study, future studies are needed to re-investigate these hypotheses with better-fitting scales and a better study method. This paper makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of psychedelics’ potential role in increasing meaning in life and in decreasing death anxiety.Show less
This research paper aimed to investigate the relationship between psychedelic use, creativity, and meaning in life. A survey was distributed to investigate creative activity scores, personality...Show moreThis research paper aimed to investigate the relationship between psychedelic use, creativity, and meaning in life. A survey was distributed to investigate creative activity scores, personality traits, and meaning in life for both psychedelic users and psychedelic naïve respondents. Creative activity (CAct) scores were collected for the domains of Literature, Music, Arts-and- Crafts, and Visual Arts. Personality traits were tested with the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI), with hypotheses focusing on the personality trait of “Openness to Experience”, due to established relations with the other variables of interest. Meaning in life was assessed with use of the Three Dimensional Meaning in Life Scale (3DM) and its subscales covering the concepts of Coherence, Purpose, and Significance. It was expected that psychedelic users would show increased creativity, as has been supported by existing literature. However, these results were not significant. The results did show significance for the prediction that psychedelic use would increase trait openness, as well as creativity when mediated by trait openness. The prediction that psychedelic use would increase meaning in life was not supported. The results from this research provide further insight into the relations between psychedelic use and cognitive factors such as personality traits, creativity, and perceived meaning in life. The subjective benefits psychedelic users could potentially experience as a result of increases in these domains might have the ability to improve mental health, and warrant the further research of applicability of psychedelics in clinical care. Since the results of this research were limited by a small sample size, more research is necessary to investigate other related variables and extend the current findings.Show less
This study focuses on the contributing factors that could predict the likelihood of developing a psychological addiction to mystical experiences induced by psychedelics. A cross-sectional online...Show moreThis study focuses on the contributing factors that could predict the likelihood of developing a psychological addiction to mystical experiences induced by psychedelics. A cross-sectional online survey study (n = 200) was conducted to investigate these effects using a combination of questionnaires and open questions. Contrary to expectations, avoidance was not found to be connected to psychological addiction to mystical experiences. However, sensation-seeking proved to relate to psychological addiction and was correlated with an increased likelihood of using psychedelics in the future. The relationship between absorption and psychological addiction was found to be mediated by the intention to confront difficult emotions. The findings indicate that higher scores on absorption increase the likelihood of using psychedelics with the intention to confront negative emotions. In contrast to expectations, the intention to confront one's emotions was found to increase the likelihood of using psychedelics in the future, therefore making the person more likely to become psychologically addicted to mystical experiences. Exploratory analysis revealed that the perceived importance of a facilitator in a non-clinical setting and the importance of experiencing ego death were not connected to psychological addiction and the future likelihood of using psychedelics. Five intentions for psychedelic use were found to be connected to an increased likelihood of psychological addiction to mystical experiences. Additionally, alternative explanations for hypotheses and new research are suggested.Show less
