Comforting delusions? How to evaluate the plausibility of mystical-type insights in psychedelic experiences

Summary & key facts

The paper says that psychedelics can produce mystical-type beliefs, like the idea that reality is a loving consciousness. The author argues we should not call these beliefs delusional just because they clash with naturalism (the view that only natural stuff exists). Instead, the paper recommends “metaphysical agnosticism” — holding off judgment between different metaphysical views — while noting that paranormal claims are a different, more problematic case. The paper also says mystical insights may be ineffable or non-conceptual, and it discusses what all this means for research and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Key facts:

• Psychedelics can lead to mystical-type insights and belief changes, for example the belief that the fundamental nature of reality is loving consciousness.
• The paper notes these belief changes could help explain some positive effects of psychedelics on wellbeing, but states this as a possibility rather than a proven fact.
• Some critics call mystical-type beliefs delusional because they contradict naturalism (the view that reality is only natural), but the author challenges that critique.
• The author argues naturalism is only one metaphysical position among several, and several other metaphysical positions are internally consistent and compatible with scientific knowledge.
• Because there is no definite way to choose between these metaphysical theories, the paper recommends metaphysical agnosticism — withholding final judgment between competing metaphysical views.
• Metaphysical agnosticism means psychedelic-facilitated metaphysical beliefs should not be dismissed as delusional solely for contradicting naturalism, according to the paper.
• The author says metaphysical agnosticism does not cover paranormal beliefs (examples of mystical-type beliefs that go beyond metaphysics), and these paranormal claims can be considered problematic.
• The paper raises the possibility that mystical-type beliefs are ineffable or non-conceptual, and so we should be cautious about taking verbal or conceptual descriptions of them too literally.
• The paper applies these ideas to empirical research on psychedelic-related belief changes and discusses the implications for psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Abstract

Psychedelics can facilitate mystical-type insights and beliefs, such as the belief that the fundamental nature of reality is loving consciousness. These belief changes could underlie the positive effects of psychedelics on wellbeing. However, mystical-type beliefs have been criticized of being delusional, as they contradict naturalism. Here I argue that naturalism is one metaphysical position among several competing ones. There is no definite way of choosing one metaphysical theory over others, as there are several metaphysical positions that are internally consistent and compatible with scientific knowledge. This calls for metaphysical agnosticism, which entails that psychedelic-facilitated metaphysical beliefs cannot be considered as delusional simply if they contradict naturalism. However, the challenge is to distinguish between beliefs that are strictly metaphysical and other mystical-type beliefs, which can include, for example, paranormal beliefs. Metaphysical agnosticism does not apply to the latter and they can be considered as problematic. I apply metaphysical agnosticism to evaluate mystical-type belief changes associated with the use of psychedelics, as indicated by empirical research. I consider the possibility that mystical-type beliefs are ineffable and non-conceptual, which entails that we should not take conceptualizations of them too seriously. I conclude by discussing the implications of metaphysical agnosticism for psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Topics

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Agnosticism Alternative medicine Consciousness Epistemology Medicine Metaphysics Mysticism Naturalism Paranormal Pathology Philosophy Psychology Theology