On the need for metaphysics in psychedelic therapy and research

Summary & key facts

This paper argues that psychedelic-assisted therapy should include optional, clear discussion of metaphysical views during integration. It presents a "Metaphysics Matrix" schema and a new "Metaphysics Matrix Questionnaire (MMQ)" as tools to help integrate and to measure metaphysical aspects of psychedelic experiences. The authors say metaphysics (a branch of philosophy about reality, knowledge, and values) is different from mysticism, and they present this idea as a proposal to be tested, not as proven fact.

Key facts:

• The paper proposes adding an optional "Metaphysics Matrix" discussion during the integration phase of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
• The authors introduce the "Metaphysics Matrix Questionnaire (MMQ)" and state it could be used as an alternative or additional quantitative measure of psychedelic experience in trials.
• The paper distinguishes three things: metaphysics, mysticism, and psychedelic experience, and says not all psychedelic experiences are metaphysical or mystical.
• The authors describe metaphysics as a branch of philosophy alongside epistemology (theory of knowledge) and axiology (ethics and aesthetics).
• The paper argues there may be a potential extra benefit to patients from offering an intelligible schema of metaphysical options during integration, but this is presented as a proposal rather than established evidence.

Abstract

The essential proposal of this text is that psychedelic-induced metaphysical experiences should be integrated and evaluated with recourse to metaphysics. It ...

Topics

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Argument (complex analysis) Computer science Epistemology Internal medicine Machine learning Medicine Metaphysics Mysticism Philosophy Psychology Schema (genetic algorithms) Theology