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Pivotal Mental States: Difference between revisions

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'''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 PiMS are an evolved feature of human brains as they aid in overwriting outdated ways of thinking when novel, actual or perceived environmental pressures demand this'''<ref>'''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</ref>'''.''' PiMS exert their effect by inducing [[Neuroplasticity|neuroplastic]] states, which given the correct [[priming]], [[setting]] and [[Guided Psychedelic Therapy|integration]] allows the user to eliminate out-of-date thought patterns and strengthen healthier, more adapted ones.
<seo title="Pivotal Mental States" metakeywords="psychedelics, neuroplasticity, Carhart-Harris, psychological transformation" metadescription="Psychedlics and Pivotal Mental States"/>
== Chemically induced PiMS ==
[[File:Pivotal mental states induced by psychedelics.png|alt=Pivotal mental states induced by psychedelics|thumb|'''Figure 1'''. Pivotal mental states induced by psychedelics<ref>'''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/</ref>.]]
The easiest way to induce a PiMs is by the use of certain chemicals.


=== Psychedelics ===
<div class="res-img">[[File:Pivotal Mentals States.png|alt=Pivotal Mentals States|Pivotal Mentals States]]</div>
[[Psychedelics]] are [[exogenous neurotransmitters]] that when administered correctly can safely and proundly shift normal thought patterns<ref>'''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</ref> (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<ref>'''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 </ref>. 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<ref>'''Adverse effects of psychedelics: From anecdotes and misinformation to systematic science.''' Anne K Schlag, Jacob Aday, Iram Salam. First Published February 2, 2022. [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02698811211069100 https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811211069100]</ref>.


== Non chemically induced PiMs ==


=== Near Death Experience ===
'''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'''<ref>'''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</ref>'''.''' PiMS exert their effect by inducing [[Neuroplasticity|neuroplastic]] states, which given the correct [[priming]], [[setting]] and [[integration]] allow users to eliminate out-of-date thought patterns and strengthen healthier, more adapted ones.
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:


* Nutmeg / mace
Below is a list of known PiM inducers, listed in order of ease of accessibility:
* ''Wisteria sinenis''
[[File:Pivotal mental states induced by psychedelics.png|alt=Pivotal mental states induced by psychedelics|thumb|'''Figure 1'''. Pivotal mental states induced by psychedelics<ref>'''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/</ref>.]]
=== Psychedelics ===
[[Psychedelics]] are medicines that when administered under [[Psychedelic Best Practice|Best Practice]] can safely and profoundly shift normal thought patterns<ref>'''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</ref> (see '''Figure 1'''). This is achieved by temporarily altering brain function to be less constrained than usual by modulating the presence or absence of underlying anatomical connections<ref>'''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 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117653.] Accessed on 24th Sept 2022 via https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811920311381 </ref>. There is now an overwhelming amount of evidence to suggest that psychedelics are highly effective in treating mental health conditions such as [[depression]] and anxiety<ref>'''Adverse effects of psychedelics: From anecdotes and misinformation to systematic science.''' Anne K Schlag, Jacob Aday, Iram Salam. First Published February 2, 2022. [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02698811211069100 https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811211069100]</ref>.


===Electroconvulsive Therapy===
===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... T''his 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<ref>'''Electroconvulsive therapy: a selected review'''. ''Am J Geriatr Psychiatry''. Greenberg RM, Kellner CH.  2005;13(4):268–81.</ref>. 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<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4193538/</ref>. 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<ref>https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-psychiatrist/article/use-of-ect-in-patients-with-an-intellectual-disability-review/B2CD9151E5A2B9462BD80175E63A9CB0</ref>. There is some evidence to suggest that ECT causes similar long and short term effects to psychedelics in some in vivo case studies<ref>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</ref><ref>'''ECT associated musical hallucinations in an elderly patient''': a case report. ''Ann Gen Psychiatry'' 5, 10 (2006). Janakiraman, R., Wildgoose, K. & Seelam, K.  <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-859X-5-10</nowiki></ref><ref>'''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/</ref>.
[[Electroconvulsive Therapy|Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)]] is a technique used in modern medicine to help cure treatment-resistant depression (TRD) patients. Research has shown that 64% to 87% of patients with severe TRD respond to ECT, with response rates as high as 95% for patients that have accompanying psychotic features<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4193538/</ref>. There is some evidence to suggest that ECT causes similar long and short-term effects to [[psychedelics]] in some in vivo case studies<ref>'''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. Accessed on 3 Feb 2023 via: https://scholar.archive.org/work/weltz5hugrf7ncb6vixnu3ncly/access/wayback/http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/84de/07ffae988b429f784faaafc32b293093ce51.pdf</ref><ref>'''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</ref><ref>'''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/</ref>.
=== Blue Marble Effect ===
=== 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.
It has been documented that astronauts looking back at Earth from space 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, the 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 ===
A [[Near Death Experience|Near-death-experience]] (NDE) is an intense psychological experience characterised by an atypical state of consciousness typically experienced during 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 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271926</ref>. The after-effects of NDEs have been widely documented and have been shown to be powerfully life-altering.
===Stroboscopics===
===Stroboscopics===
A bright light which flashes at the same speed as the transmission rate of the optical nerve can induce 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>. It is thought that low hallucination-inducing frequencies (8 to 11 Hz) and high hallucination-inducing frequencies (19 to 25 Hz)<ref>'''''The hodology of hallucinations'''. FFYTCHE, D. (2008). Cortex, 44(8), 1067–1083.'' doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2008.04.005. Accessed on 17th September 2022 via: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18586234/ </ref>. Whilst the visual aspects of the psychedelic experience can be replicated, there is no evidence to suggest any other neurological effect occurs. The effects of Stroboscopics can be readily demonstrated via [[Experiments|experiment]] or from the comfort of one's home using [https://burnzero.com/Setting#:~:text=an%20individual%20basis.-,Psychedelic,-Visualisation%20Modulators Psychedelic Visualisation Modulators], the strongest of which is the [https://strobe.cool/ stroboscopic] tool.
[[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 a 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. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253779</ref>.  
== Pivotal Mental States Precursors ==
Whilst there is smörgåsbord of scientific evidence for the PiM inducement by the techniques above. There is some evidence for the ''precursors'' below.  


=== Optical Illusions ===
=== Optical Illusions ===
Whilst one of the weakest ways to induce of 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>
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 overcoming their [[Psychedelic Anxiety Syndrome]].
===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>'''How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing'''. Front. Hum. Neurosci., 07 September 2018 Sec. Brain Health and Clinical Neuroscience<nowiki/>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353/full</ref> - 30 minutes of 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.
 
=== Subspace ===
There is some evidence in the scientific literature that a sexual practice of inducing ''subspace'' can induce PiMs<ref>'''No Pain, No Gain?: Therapeutic and Relational Benefits of Subspace in BDSM Contexts'''. Dulcinea  Pitagora, PhD, LCSW, CST. Published 2017, Psychology, Journal of Positive Sexuality. Accessed on 11 Jan via: https://www.academia.edu/35126571/No_Pain_No_Gain_Therapeutic_and_Relational_Benefits_of_Subspace_in_BDSM_Contexts</ref><ref>'''Bondage-Discipline, Dominance-Submission and Sadomasochism (BDSM) From an Integrative Biopsychosocial Perspective: A Systematic Review'''. Nele De Neef, MD, Violette Coppens, PhD, Wim Huys, MSc and Manuel Morrens, MD, PhD. Accessed on 11 Jan 2023 via: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6525106/</ref>. The term subspace is used to describe a psychological state of mind that some people may experience during or after participating in BDSM activities. Subspace is described as a feeling of floating or detachment from reality and can be accompanied by feelings of euphoria, tranquillity, or disassociation. <hr>
'''References'''
'''References'''
<references />
<references />

Latest revision as of 04:18, 5 March 2024

Pivotal Mentals States


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 allow users to eliminate out-of-date thought patterns and strengthen healthier, more adapted ones.

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[2].

Psychedelics

Psychedelics are medicines that when administered under Best Practice can safely and profoundly shift normal thought patterns[3] (see Figure 1). This is achieved by temporarily altering brain function to be less constrained than usual by modulating the presence or absence of underlying anatomical connections[4]. There is now an overwhelming amount of evidence to suggest that psychedelics are highly effective in treating mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety[5].

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a technique used in modern medicine to help cure treatment-resistant depression (TRD) patients. Research has shown that 64% to 87% of patients with severe TRD respond to ECT, with response rates as high as 95% for patients that have accompanying psychotic features[6]. There is some evidence to suggest that ECT causes similar long and short-term effects to psychedelics in some in vivo case studies[7][8][9].

Overview Effect

It has been documented that astronauts looking back at Earth from space 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 characterised by an atypical state of consciousness typically experienced during life-threatening conditions[10]. NDEs in general are typically characterised by Out of Body Experiences and hallucinations[11][12] which are affected by set and setting much like psychedelics[13]. The after-effects of NDEs have been widely documented and have been shown to be powerfully life-altering.

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 a temporary interference pattern which disorientates optical transmission to the brain leading to visual hallucinations similar to effects induced by psychedelic substances[14].

Pivotal Mental States Precursors

Whilst there is smörgåsbord of scientific evidence for the PiM inducement by the techniques above. There is some evidence for the precursors below.

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 overcoming their Psychedelic Anxiety Syndrome.

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)[15], some believe that certain techniques may be helpful in unleashing its effect:

  • Holotropic breathing techniques[16][17] - 30 minutes of 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.

Subspace

There is some evidence in the scientific literature that a sexual practice of inducing subspace can induce PiMs[18][19]. The term subspace is used to describe a psychological state of mind that some people may experience during or after participating in BDSM activities. Subspace is described as a feeling of floating or detachment from reality and can be accompanied by feelings of euphoria, tranquillity, or disassociation.

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. ↑ 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/
  3. ↑ 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
  4. ↑ 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
  5. ↑ 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
  6. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4193538/
  7. ↑ 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. Accessed on 3 Feb 2023 via: https://scholar.archive.org/work/weltz5hugrf7ncb6vixnu3ncly/access/wayback/http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/84de/07ffae988b429f784faaafc32b293093ce51.pdf
  8. ↑ 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
  9. ↑ 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/
  10. ↑ 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/
  11. ↑ 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)
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ 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
  14. ↑ 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
  15. ↑ 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
  16. ↑ https://maps.org/news-letters/v23n1/v23n1_24-27.pdf
  17. ↑ How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing. Front. Hum. Neurosci., 07 September 2018 Sec. Brain Health and Clinical Neurosciencehttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353/full
  18. ↑ No Pain, No Gain?: Therapeutic and Relational Benefits of Subspace in BDSM Contexts. Dulcinea  Pitagora, PhD, LCSW, CST. Published 2017, Psychology, Journal of Positive Sexuality. Accessed on 11 Jan via: https://www.academia.edu/35126571/No_Pain_No_Gain_Therapeutic_and_Relational_Benefits_of_Subspace_in_BDSM_Contexts
  19. ↑ Bondage-Discipline, Dominance-Submission and Sadomasochism (BDSM) From an Integrative Biopsychosocial Perspective: A Systematic Review. Nele De Neef, MD, Violette Coppens, PhD, Wim Huys, MSc and Manuel Morrens, MD, PhD. Accessed on 11 Jan 2023 via: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6525106/
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