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Pivotal Mental States: Difference between revisions

Pivotal Mental States: Difference between revisions

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Yuri Gagarin, upon his return as the first human in space, marvelled at the planet from orbit in 1961. “''People of the world, let us safeguard and enhance this beauty — not destroy it'',” . A half-century later, ex-NASA astronaut José Hernández said that the view aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2009 turned him into “''an instant treehugger''.” On Christmas Eve 1968, NASA astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders were aboard Apollo 8, the first manned mission to orbit the Moon. They had spent most of the day photographing the Moon’s surface when Borman turned the spaceship around, and Earth came into view. ‘Oh my God, look at that picture over there. Here’s the Earth coming up,’ shouted Anders. Like the astronauts themselves, the world was awestruck by the first images of the whole Earth from space, which are today widely credited with triggering the birth of the modern environmental movement.
Yuri Gagarin, upon his return as the first human in space, marvelled at the planet from orbit in 1961. “''People of the world, let us safeguard and enhance this beauty — not destroy it'',” . A half-century later, ex-NASA astronaut José Hernández said that the view aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2009 turned him into “''an instant treehugger''.” On Christmas Eve 1968, NASA astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders were aboard Apollo 8, the first manned mission to orbit the Moon. They had spent most of the day photographing the Moon’s surface when Borman turned the spaceship around, and Earth came into view. ‘Oh my God, look at that picture over there. Here’s the Earth coming up,’ shouted Anders. Like the astronauts themselves, the world was awestruck by the first images of the whole Earth from space, which are today widely credited with triggering the birth of the modern environmental movement.
===Spiritual experiences===
Whilst unproven scientifically, (it would be very difficult due to the subjective nature) spiritual experiences have been shown to shift modes of general thought patterns. Pharmacologically the human brain has been found to produce endogenous psychedelic compounds (DMT)<ref>'''N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an Endogenous Hallucinogen: Past, Present, and Future Research to Determine Its Role and Function'''. Front Neurosci. 2018; 12: 536. Published online 2018 Aug 6. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00536. Accessed on 24th September via: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6088236</ref>, some believe that certain techniques may be helpful in unleashing its effect:
*'''Holotropic breathing techniques'''<ref>https://maps.org/news-letters/v23n1/v23n1_24-27.pdf</ref><ref>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353/full</ref> - 30 minutes breathing in a controlled, three-beat pattern — one sharp breath into my belly, one sharp breath into my lungs, and a sigh-like exhale to release.


==== Near Death Experience ====
=== Near Death Experience ===
A Near-death-experience (NDE) is an intense psychological experience characterized by an atypical state of consciousness usually in life-threatening conditions<ref>'''The phenomenology of near-death experiences.''' ''Am. J. Psychiatry'' 137, 1193–1196. Greyson, B., and Stevenson, I. (1980). Accessed on 24th September 2022 via https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7416264/</ref>. NDEs in general are typically characterised by [[Out of Body Experiences]] and hallucinations<ref>'''Near-Death Experiences are Hallucinations'''. Keith Augustine. In Keith Augustine & Michael Martin (eds.), The Myth of an Afterlife: The Case against Life After Death. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 529-569 (2015)</ref><ref>'''Three cases of near death experience''': Is it physiology, physics or philosophy? Purkayastha M, Mukherjee KK.  Ann Neurosci. 2012 Jul;19(3):104-6. doi: 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.190303. PMID: 25205979; PMCID: PMC4117086.</ref> which are affected by set and setting much like psychedelics<ref>'''Comparison of psychedelic and near-death or other non-ordinary experiences in changing attitudes about death and dying'''. Mary M. Sweeney ,Sandeep Nayak,Ethan S. Hurwitz, Lisa N. Mitchell,T. Cody Swift,Roland R. Griffiths. Published: August 24, 2022. Accessed on 26th August 2022 via <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271926</nowiki></ref>. Some evidence suggests that dissociatives such as ketamine<ref>'''Anomalous Psychedelic Experiences''': At the Neurochemical Juncture of the Humanistic and Parapsychological, Volume 62, Issue 2. Accessed on 15th September 2022 via: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0022167820917767</ref><ref>'''The Ketamine Model of the Near-Death Experience''': A Central Role for the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor. Jansen, K.L.R. Journal of Near-Death Studies 16, 5–26 (1997). <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025055109480</nowiki></ref> or classical psychedelics such as DMT can induce this state<ref>'''DMT Models the Near-Death Experience'''. Christopher Timmermann1,2*, Leor Roseman1,2, Luke Williams1, David Erritzoe1, Charlotte Martial3, Héléna Cassol3, Steven Laureys3, David Nutt1 and Robin Carhart-Harris. Front. Psychol., 15 August 2018 | <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01424</nowiki> </ref> however historically, a defunct class of drugs called the pseudohallucinogens<ref>Schultes, Richard Evans (1976). Hallucinogenic Plants. illus. Elmer W. Smith. New York: Golden Press. <nowiki>ISBN 0-307-24362-1</nowiki>.</ref> is also thought to bridge this gap by actually causing a near death experience! These compounds consist of a diverse range of chemicals the effects of which broadly are considered poisonous, these include:  
A Near-death-experience (NDE) is an intense psychological experience characterized by an atypical state of consciousness usually in life-threatening conditions<ref>'''The phenomenology of near-death experiences.''' ''Am. J. Psychiatry'' 137, 1193–1196. Greyson, B., and Stevenson, I. (1980). Accessed on 24th September 2022 via https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7416264/</ref>. NDEs in general are typically characterised by [[Out of Body Experiences]] and hallucinations<ref>'''Near-Death Experiences are Hallucinations'''. Keith Augustine. In Keith Augustine & Michael Martin (eds.), The Myth of an Afterlife: The Case against Life After Death. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 529-569 (2015)</ref><ref>'''Three cases of near death experience''': Is it physiology, physics or philosophy? Purkayastha M, Mukherjee KK.  Ann Neurosci. 2012 Jul;19(3):104-6. doi: 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.190303. PMID: 25205979; PMCID: PMC4117086.</ref> which are affected by set and setting much like psychedelics<ref>'''Comparison of psychedelic and near-death or other non-ordinary experiences in changing attitudes about death and dying'''. Mary M. Sweeney ,Sandeep Nayak,Ethan S. Hurwitz, Lisa N. Mitchell,T. Cody Swift,Roland R. Griffiths. Published: August 24, 2022. Accessed on 26th August 2022 via <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271926</nowiki></ref>. Some evidence suggests that dissociatives such as ketamine<ref>'''Anomalous Psychedelic Experiences''': At the Neurochemical Juncture of the Humanistic and Parapsychological, Volume 62, Issue 2. Accessed on 15th September 2022 via: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0022167820917767</ref><ref>'''The Ketamine Model of the Near-Death Experience''': A Central Role for the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor. Jansen, K.L.R. Journal of Near-Death Studies 16, 5–26 (1997). <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025055109480</nowiki></ref> or classical psychedelics such as DMT can induce this state<ref>'''DMT Models the Near-Death Experience'''. Christopher Timmermann1,2*, Leor Roseman1,2, Luke Williams1, David Erritzoe1, Charlotte Martial3, Héléna Cassol3, Steven Laureys3, David Nutt1 and Robin Carhart-Harris. Front. Psychol., 15 August 2018 | <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01424</nowiki> </ref> however historically, a defunct class of drugs called the pseudohallucinogens<ref>Schultes, Richard Evans (1976). Hallucinogenic Plants. illus. Elmer W. Smith. New York: Golden Press. <nowiki>ISBN 0-307-24362-1</nowiki>.</ref> is also thought to bridge this gap by actually causing a near death experience! These compounds consist of a diverse range of chemicals the effects of which broadly are considered poisonous, these include:  


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* ''Wisteria sinenis''
* ''Wisteria sinenis''


== Pivotal Mentals States Precursors ==
=== Optical Illusions ===
Whilst one of the weakest ways to induce PiMS, [[Optical Illusions|optical illusions]] can provide a gateway for people to start to ask elementary questions about their perceptions and start them on the path to overcome their [[Psychedelic Anxiety Syndrome]].
===Stroboscopics===
===Stroboscopics===
[[Stroboscopics]] is a technique that flashes a bright light into the eyes of patients that in turn induces visual hallucinations. The process works as the speed at which the light is flashing is the same speed as the transmission rate of the optical nerve, this causes an temporary interference pattern which disorientates optical transmission to the brain leading to visual hallucinations similar to effects induced by psychedelic substances<ref>'''Altered states phenomena induced by visual flicker light stimulation'''. Marie Therese Bartossek, Johanna Kemmerer, Timo Torsten Schmidt. Published: July 1, 2021. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253779</nowiki></ref>.   
[[Stroboscopics]] is a technique that flashes a bright light into the eyes of patients that in turn induces visual hallucinations. The process works as the speed at which the light is flashing is the same speed as the transmission rate of the optical nerve, this causes an temporary interference pattern which disorientates optical transmission to the brain leading to visual hallucinations similar to effects induced by psychedelic substances<ref>'''Altered states phenomena induced by visual flicker light stimulation'''. Marie Therese Bartossek, Johanna Kemmerer, Timo Torsten Schmidt. Published: July 1, 2021. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253779</nowiki></ref>.   
 
===Spiritual experiences===
=== Optical Illusions ===
Whilst unproven scientifically, (it would be very difficult due to the subjective nature) spiritual experiences have been shown to shift modes of general thought patterns. Pharmacologically the human brain has been found to produce endogenous psychedelic compounds (DMT)<ref>'''N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an Endogenous Hallucinogen: Past, Present, and Future Research to Determine Its Role and Function'''. Front Neurosci. 2018; 12: 536. Published online 2018 Aug 6. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00536. Accessed on 24th September via: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6088236</ref>, some believe that certain techniques may be helpful in unleashing its effect:
Whilst one of the weakest ways to induce PiMS, [[Optical Illusions|optical illusions]] can provide a gateway for people to start to ask elementary questions about their perceptions and start them on the path to overcome their [[Psychedelic Anxiety Syndrome]]. <hr>
*'''Holotropic breathing techniques'''<ref>https://maps.org/news-letters/v23n1/v23n1_24-27.pdf</ref><ref>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353/full</ref> - 30 minutes breathing in a controlled, three-beat pattern — one sharp breath into my belly, one sharp breath into my lungs, and a sigh-like exhale to release.<hr>
'''References'''
'''References'''
<references />
<references />

Revision as of 23:10, 28 November 2022

Pivotal Mental States (PiMS) are states of mind created by profound psychological events which shift default thought patterns. PiMS are an evolved feature of human brains as they aid in overwriting outdated ways of thinking when novel, actual or perceived environmental pressures demand this[1]. PiMS exert their effect by inducing neuroplastic states, which given the correct priming, setting and integration allows the user to eliminate out-of-date thought patterns and strengthen healthier, more adapted ones. Specific PiMS have been shown clinically to ease psychological transitions away from egocentrism toward ecocentrism[2][3][4].

Below is a list of known PiM inducers listed in order of ease of accessibility:

Pivotal mental states induced by psychedelics
Figure 1. Pivotal mental states induced by psychedelics[5].

Psychedelics

Psychedelics are exogenous neurotransmitters that when administered correctly can safely and proundly shift normal thought patterns[6] (see Figure 1). This is achieved by causing brain function to be less constrained than usual by modulating the presence or absence of underlying anatomical connections[7]. There is a common misconception about psychedelics propagated by the War on Drugs which manifests medically as Psychedelic Anxiety Syndrome. Instead of psychedelics being detrimental to one's health there is a vast amount of evidence to suggest that they are highly effective in treating mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety[8].

Electroconvulsive Therapy

When people think of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) they often think of the process depicted in the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. A lone patient with electrodes attached to their head convulsing in pain... This was an over dramatisation, the modern process is far from what was depicted. Since its introduction in the 1930's, various changes to pulse width, dosing and duration, electrode placement and anaesthesia have made the treatment almost unrecognisable[9]. Research has shown that 64% to 87% of patients with severe MDD respond to ECT, with response rates as high as 95% for patients with MDD with psychotic features[10]. Furthermore, in otherwise healthy patients with intellectual disability, a retrospective chart review performed at Cambridge university has shown that 79% showed a positive outcome following ECT[11]. There is some evidence to suggest that ECT causes similar long and short term effects to psychedelics in some in vivo case studies[12][13][14].

Overview Effect

Astronauts looking back at Earth with the naked eye often suddenly get an overwhelming responsibility to protect it. When they see only a fine blue line of atmosphere that shelters our only planet from the hostile vacuum of space, national borders disappear; and the scene often evokes a feeling of cosmic connection. This so-called “overview effect” has been turning astronauts into environmental advocates ever since the first person in space.

Yuri Gagarin, upon his return as the first human in space, marvelled at the planet from orbit in 1961. “People of the world, let us safeguard and enhance this beauty — not destroy it,” . A half-century later, ex-NASA astronaut José Hernández said that the view aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2009 turned him into “an instant treehugger.” On Christmas Eve 1968, NASA astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders were aboard Apollo 8, the first manned mission to orbit the Moon. They had spent most of the day photographing the Moon’s surface when Borman turned the spaceship around, and Earth came into view. ‘Oh my God, look at that picture over there. Here’s the Earth coming up,’ shouted Anders. Like the astronauts themselves, the world was awestruck by the first images of the whole Earth from space, which are today widely credited with triggering the birth of the modern environmental movement.

Near Death Experience

A Near-death-experience (NDE) is an intense psychological experience characterized by an atypical state of consciousness usually in life-threatening conditions[15]. NDEs in general are typically characterised by Out of Body Experiences and hallucinations[16][17] which are affected by set and setting much like psychedelics[18]. Some evidence suggests that dissociatives such as ketamine[19][20] or classical psychedelics such as DMT can induce this state[21] however historically, a defunct class of drugs called the pseudohallucinogens[22] is also thought to bridge this gap by actually causing a near death experience! These compounds consist of a diverse range of chemicals the effects of which broadly are considered poisonous, these include:

  • Nutmeg / mace
  • Wisteria sinenis

Pivotal Mentals States Precursors

Optical Illusions

Whilst one of the weakest ways to induce PiMS, optical illusions can provide a gateway for people to start to ask elementary questions about their perceptions and start them on the path to overcome their Psychedelic Anxiety Syndrome.

Stroboscopics

Stroboscopics is a technique that flashes a bright light into the eyes of patients that in turn induces visual hallucinations. The process works as the speed at which the light is flashing is the same speed as the transmission rate of the optical nerve, this causes an temporary interference pattern which disorientates optical transmission to the brain leading to visual hallucinations similar to effects induced by psychedelic substances[23].

Spiritual experiences

Whilst unproven scientifically, (it would be very difficult due to the subjective nature) spiritual experiences have been shown to shift modes of general thought patterns. Pharmacologically the human brain has been found to produce endogenous psychedelic compounds (DMT)[24], some believe that certain techniques may be helpful in unleashing its effect:

  • Holotropic breathing techniques[25][26] - 30 minutes breathing in a controlled, three-beat pattern — one sharp breath into my belly, one sharp breath into my lungs, and a sigh-like exhale to release.

References

  1. ↑ Pivotal mental states. Brouwer A, Carhart-Harris RL. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 2021;35(4):319-352. doi:10.1177/0269881120959637. Accessed on 24th September 2022 via https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0269881120959637
  2. ↑ From Egoism to Ecoism: Psychedelics Increase Nature Relatedness in a State-Mediated and Context-Dependent Manner. Hannes Kettner, Sam Gandy, Eline C. H. M. Haijen and Robin L. Carhart-Harris Centre for Psychedelic Research, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Published: December 2019 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16245147. Accessed on 30th September 2022 via: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31888300/
  3. ↑ Lifetime experience with (classic) psychedelics predicts pro-environmental behavior through an increase in nature relatedness. Matthias Forstmann and Christina Sagioglou Journal of Psychopharmacology 2017. DOI: 10.1177/0269881117714049. Accessed on 30th September 2022 via: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28631526/
  4. ↑ Manifesting Minds: A Review of Psychedelics in Science, Medicine, Sex, and Spirituality. Doblin, Rick; Brad Burge (2014) North Atlantic Books. ISBN 1583947272.
  5. ↑ Ketamine psychedelic psychotherapy: Focus on its pharmacology, phenomenology, and clinical applications. Kolp, E., Friedman, H. L., Krupitsky, E., Jansen, K., Sylvester, M., Young, M. S., & Kolp, A. (2014). International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 33(2), 84–140. Accessed on 24th September 2022 via: https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/ijts-transpersonalstudies/vol33/iss2/8/
  6. ↑ From Egoism to Ecoism: Psychedelics Increase Nature Relatedness in a State-Mediated and Context-Dependent Manner. Kettner H, Gandy S, Haijen ECHM, Carhart-Harris RL. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Dec 16;16(24):5147. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16245147. PMID: 31888300; PMCID: PMC6949937. Accessed on 24th September 2022 via https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/24/5147
  7. ↑ LSD alters dynamic integration and segregation in the human brain, NeuroImage, Volume 227, 2021, 117653, ISSN 1053-8119, Andrea I. Luppi, Robin L. Carhart-Harris, Leor Roseman, Ioannis Pappas, David K. Menon, Emmanuel A. Stamatakis,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117653.Accessed on 24th Sept 2022 via https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811920311381
  8. ↑ Adverse effects of psychedelics: From anecdotes and misinformation to systematic science. Anne K Schlag, Jacob Aday, Iram Salam. First Published February 2, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811211069100
  9. ↑ Electroconvulsive therapy: a selected review. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. Greenberg RM, Kellner CH. 2005;13(4):268–81.
  10. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4193538/
  11. ↑ https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-psychiatrist/article/use-of-ect-in-patients-with-an-intellectual-disability-review/B2CD9151E5A2B9462BD80175E63A9CB0
  12. ↑ Psychotic symptoms as a complication of electroconvulsive therapy – a case report Anna Antosik-Wójcińska, Magdalena Chojnacka, Łukasz Święcicki Affective Disorders Unit, Second Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw
  13. ↑ ECT associated musical hallucinations in an elderly patient: a case report. Ann Gen Psychiatry 5, 10 (2006). Janakiraman, R., Wildgoose, K. & Seelam, K. https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-859X-5-10
  14. ↑ LSD-Like Flashbacks Associated with ECT. Convuls Ther. Russ MJ, Gold JM. . 1987;3(4):296-301. PMID: 11940932. Accessed on 4th July 2022 via: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11940932/
  15. ↑ The phenomenology of near-death experiences. Am. J. Psychiatry 137, 1193–1196. Greyson, B., and Stevenson, I. (1980). Accessed on 24th September 2022 via https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7416264/
  16. ↑ Near-Death Experiences are Hallucinations. Keith Augustine. In Keith Augustine & Michael Martin (eds.), The Myth of an Afterlife: The Case against Life After Death. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 529-569 (2015)
  17. ↑ Three cases of near death experience: Is it physiology, physics or philosophy? Purkayastha M, Mukherjee KK.  Ann Neurosci. 2012 Jul;19(3):104-6. doi: 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.190303. PMID: 25205979; PMCID: PMC4117086.
  18. ↑ Comparison of psychedelic and near-death or other non-ordinary experiences in changing attitudes about death and dying. Mary M. Sweeney ,Sandeep Nayak,Ethan S. Hurwitz, Lisa N. Mitchell,T. Cody Swift,Roland R. Griffiths. Published: August 24, 2022. Accessed on 26th August 2022 via https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271926
  19. ↑ Anomalous Psychedelic Experiences: At the Neurochemical Juncture of the Humanistic and Parapsychological, Volume 62, Issue 2. Accessed on 15th September 2022 via: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0022167820917767
  20. ↑ The Ketamine Model of the Near-Death Experience: A Central Role for the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor. Jansen, K.L.R. Journal of Near-Death Studies 16, 5–26 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025055109480
  21. ↑ DMT Models the Near-Death Experience. Christopher Timmermann1,2*, Leor Roseman1,2, Luke Williams1, David Erritzoe1, Charlotte Martial3, Héléna Cassol3, Steven Laureys3, David Nutt1 and Robin Carhart-Harris. Front. Psychol., 15 August 2018 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01424
  22. ↑ Schultes, Richard Evans (1976). Hallucinogenic Plants. illus. Elmer W. Smith. New York: Golden Press. ISBN 0-307-24362-1.
  23. ↑ Altered states phenomena induced by visual flicker light stimulation. Marie Therese Bartossek, Johanna Kemmerer, Timo Torsten Schmidt. Published: July 1, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253779
  24. ↑ N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an Endogenous Hallucinogen: Past, Present, and Future Research to Determine Its Role and Function. Front Neurosci. 2018; 12: 536. Published online 2018 Aug 6. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00536. Accessed on 24th September via: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6088236
  25. ↑ https://maps.org/news-letters/v23n1/v23n1_24-27.pdf
  26. ↑ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353/full
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