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How psychedelics may therapeutically alter the link between your two “selves”

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Summary

This article explores the idea that consciousness is deeply rooted in interoception, or the sense of the body from within. Research suggests that when interoceptive processes go awry, psychiatric disorders may ensue. Psychedelics may offer insight into the relationship between interoception and consciousness, and could potentially be used to treat a range of mental and physical ailments. The article discusses the notion of the "narrative self" and the "minimal self," and how psychedelics may be used to help people reflect on their current state of existence without the embedded narrative of their past. Finally, the article argues that future psychedelic science should shift its focus away from the brain and towards the body.

Q&As

What is interoception and how is it related to consciousness?
Interoception is the sense of the body from within, including hunger, pain, pleasure, joy, anger, and sadness. It is becoming clear that interoception could be just as crucial to well-being as neural circuitry or genetics, and it may be fundamental to human health precisely because it is fundamental to consciousness.

How has the scientific study of altered states of consciousness been influenced by psychedelics?
The scientific study of altered states of consciousness has been influenced by psychedelics in that it has focused almost exclusively on the relationship between the mind and the brain.

What are the potential benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy?
The potential benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy include improvements in symptoms across a wide range of mental illnesses, from depression to PTSD to eating disorders, as well as potential for treating physical ailments such as chronic pain from fibromyalgia.

How could psychedelics offer insights into the relationship between interoception and consciousness?
Psychedelics could offer insights into the relationship between interoception and consciousness by allowing people to experience the intricate dance between the two in novel and beneficial ways. It's possible that this unique experience — where the basic sense of being and one’s life story momentarily drift apart — could be a key therapeutic aspect of psychedelics, allowing individuals to reflect on their current state of existence without the embedded narrative of their past.

What evidence is there to suggest that altered interoception is a key mechanism in psychedelic therapy?
Evidence to suggest that altered interoception is a key mechanism in psychedelic therapy includes studies that have reported that moderate doses of psychedelics seem to increase body trust, a facet of interoception, and that self-connectedness in psychedelic therapy tends to be described as connectedness to the senses, the body, and emotions.

AI Comments

👍 This article provides a great insight on the link between interoception and consciousness and the role of psychedelics in rectifying interoceptive imbalances. It is an interesting read for anyone interested in the research of psychedelics and its potential therapeutic effects.

👎 The article is overly long and is full of jargon that may be difficult to understand for someone without a scientific background. It also focuses too much on the potential benefits of psychedelics and does not mention any risks or drawbacks.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about how psychedelics may therapeutically alter the link between your two “selves”. The article suggests that interoception — our sense of the internal state of our body — may be deeply connected to consciousness, and that when interoceptive processes go awry, psychiatric disorders may ensue. It also suggests that psychedelics could potentially help rectify these imbalances by providing insights into how interoception and consciousness interact.

Friend: That's really interesting. It seems like psychedelics could be a powerful tool for treating mental health issues, but I wonder what the implications of this research are?

Me: Well, the implications could be significant: if psychedelics are proven to be an effective treatment for psychiatric disorders, it could change the way we approach mental health treatment. It could also open up new opportunities for non-pharmaceutical treatments, and potentially make mental health care more accessible and affordable. But of course, further research is needed to fully understand the implications of this research.

Action items

Research the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics on interoception and consciousness.
Reach out to experts in the field of psychedelic science to learn more about the relationship between interoception and consciousness.
Attend a psychedelic-assisted therapy session to experience the effects of psychedelics on interoception and consciousness first-hand.

Technical terms

Neuropsych: The study of the relationship between the brain and behavior.
Interoception: The sense of the internal state of the body.
Psychedelics: A class of drugs that produce altered states of consciousness.
Homeostasis: The body’s ability to self-regulate.
Qualia: Qualitative subjective experiences.
Heartbeat Detection Task: A method of measuring interoceptive accuracy.
Interoceptive Accuracy: The ability to accurately detect one’s own heartbeat.
Interoceptive Awareness: The awareness of one’s perceptions of sensations from inside the body.
REBUS Model: A model of how psychedelics work in the brain.
Critical Period Theory: A theory of how psychedelics work in the brain.
Transdiagnostic: Treating symptoms across a wide range of mental illnesses.
Body Trust: A facet of interoception.