rahli Posted August 9, 2017 Summary: A new study in Neuroscience of Consciousness adds weight to previous findings about the potential benefits psychedelics could have for treating mental health disorders. Source: University of Adelaide. The altered state of consciousness and temporary lack of ego that results from using psychedelic drugs could help some mental health patients recover from their symptoms, according to academics at the University of Adelaide. Researchers in the University’s Department of Philosophy have been studying the body of evidence around the use of psychedelic drugs such as LSD and magic mushrooms, and the impact they have on people’s sense of “self”. In a new article published online today in Aeon, authors Professor Philip Gerrans and recent PhD graduate Dr Chris Letheby say there is growing evidence to suggest that psychedelic experiences can be truly “transformative” — including helping some people with anxiety, depression, or addiction. “We know quite a lot about the neurochemistry of psychedelic drugs and how they work on the brain. What’s poorly understood is the more complex relationship between the brain, our sense of self, and how we perceive the world,” says Professor Gerrans, who has been researching self-representation in psychiatric disorders. In a recent paper published in the journal Neuroscience of Consciousness, Professor Gerrans and Dr Letheby explain how users of psychedelic drugs often report that their sense of being a self or ‘I’ — distinct from the rest of the world – has diminished or completely “dissolved”. “This ‘ego dissolution’ results in a moment of expanded awareness, a feeling in which the mind is put more directly and intensely in touch with the world,” Professor Gerrans says. “Through this experience it may be possible to re-engineer the mechanisms of self, which in turn could change people’s outlook or world view. The profound sense of connection produced by this experience has the potential to be beneficial for people suffering from anxiety, depression, and some forms of addiction,” he says. Dr Letheby says one of the reasons why psychiatric disorders are so hard to shake is that it’s almost impossible for sufferers to view things differently. “People who go through psychedelic experiences no longer take it for granted that the way they’ve been viewing things is the only way,” Dr Letheby says. Link to entire article http://neurosciencenews.com/psychedelics-mental-health-7266/ 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sallubrious Posted August 9, 2017 I wish someone would dose a bunch of the mentally ill pricks running the country to the point of ego death and study that. They might find some of them come out of it with a sense of humanity and start steering the ship for everyone's benefit. 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ajnadurga Posted August 15, 2017 Wow.... Adelaide.....haha... here i was starting to think our focus was solely roadworks and silly multi-million dollar overpasses..... This is great news! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
saylor twift Posted August 16, 2017 awesome and its in aus! cool to see the exploration of consciousness... would be interesting to know what dosages they are talking of Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
