Endorsement of metaphysical idealism mediates a link between past use of psychedelics and wellbeing
It has been proposed that psychedelics promote wellbeing through spiritual-type transformations, involving changes in metaphysical beliefs… the results indicate that Idealism specifically, not non-physicalist beliefs generally, mediate a link between the use of psychedelics and wellbeing… metaphysical beliefs are typically abstract and non-falsifiable…
In terms of predictive coding neuroscience, such as the free energy principle, metaphysical beliefs can be considered as high-level priors, that is, cognitively fundamental and relatively stable assumptions about the reality which shape our perceptions and interpretations about the world. According to the REBUS (Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics) model concerning the action of psychedelics on the brain and cognition, psychedelics temporarily diminish the precision-weighting of high-level priors, enabling their revision through increased endogenous or exogenous bottom-up signaling. This could facilitate the questioning and revision of metaphysical beliefs. Hypothetically, such changes could become permanent if they can be integrated with the rational mind. This process could be facilitated by increased neuroplasticity due to the neuropharmacological effects of psychedelics.
Original Article (Nature):
Endorsement of metaphysical idealism mediates a link between past use of psychedelics and wellbeing
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