Pivotal Mental States

Pivotal mental states (PiMs) are states of mind created by an experience which can permanently shift modes of general thought patterns. PiMs serve an important evolutionary function, that is, to aid psychological transformation when actual or perceived environmental pressures demand this. In nature PiMs are primed by chronic stress and neurotic traits, whereas acute stress can be a trigger. PiMs can also be induced by certain medicines and experiences, evidence for which is presented below.

Strong evidence

Psychedelics

With the correct priming, psychedelics administered with guidance can shift normal thought patterns.

Medium evidence

Blue Marble

The Blue Marble by Carl Sagan

Astronauts looking down on Earth from above for the first time see that only a fine blue line of atmosphere shelters our planet from the hostile vacuum of space — and often, they suddenly get an overwhelming responsibility to protect it. National borders disappear; the scene 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, marveled at the planet from orbit in 1961. “People of the world, let us safeguard and enhance this beauty — not destroy it,” the Soviet cosmonaut said upon his return. 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.”

Electroconvulsive Therapy

When people think of ECT they think of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, however this was a dramatisation, the 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 anesthesia have made the treatment almost unrecognisable. 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. Furthemore, 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.

Weak Evidence

Spiritual experiences

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

• Holotropic breathing techniques- 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.

Stroboscopics

A total of 24 participants were recruited to take part in the small study, each of whom was first screened for indications of photosensitive epilepsy before beginning the trial. Once cleared, volunteers were placed in a dark room and instructed to close their eyes while a stroboscopic light flickered on and off for a period of 20 minutes.

In order to compare the effects of this method with those of pharmacological psychedelics, the researchers employed a series of scientifically validated questionnaires that are typically used to measure altered states of consciousness in studies involving drugs. In doing so, they found that flickering lights generate a degree of “vigilance reduction” – which refers to the experience of “clouded consciousness” – that is comparable to a low dose of ketamine.

Furthermore, participants reported seeing “elemental imagery” hallucinations, consisting of “colorful, dynamically changing fractal structures,” that were similar in strength to those typically produced by an average recreational dose of LSD.  

Summing up this finding, the study authors state that “our results demonstrate that the visual effects of flickering light stimulation, in some aspects, are rated to be similarly strong as the effects induced by certain psychedelic substances.” However, they go on to explain that “the induced spectrum of phenomena is rather limited to visual effects, while other aspects of alterations in consciousness are less robustly induced.”

For example, the use of flickering lights did not precipitate any of the “ego dissolution or mystical-type experiences” that are commonly reported by users of psychedelics, while complex hallucinatory visions featuring “meaningful objects” were also lacking.

Furthermore, recent studies have indicated that psychedelic drugs have the capacity to enhance users’ creative thinking abilities, although participants in this study demonstrated no such increases in creativity after being exposed to flickering lights.

Nonetheless, the study authors conclude that “flicker light stimulation is capable of inducing visual effects with an intensity rated to be similar in strength to effects induced by psychedelic substances and thereby support the investigation of potentially shared underlying neuronal mechanisms.”

References