How Do Psychedelics Reduce Fear of Death?

This theory-building paper (2024) examines how psychedelic experiences reduce fear of death by promoting non-physicalist metaphysical beliefs. It supports the “Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics” (REBUS) model over other models of psychedelic therapy and argues that these belief changes undermine the use of psychedelics in naturalizing spirituality within the “neuroexistentialist” framework.

Abstract of How Do Psychedelics Reduce Fear of Death?

“Increasing evidence suggests that psychedelic experiences, undergone in controlled conditions, can have various durable psychological benefits. One such benefit is reductions in fear of death, which have been attested in both psychiatric patients and healthy people. This paper addresses the question: how, exactly, do psychedelic experiences reduce fear of death? It argues, against some prominent proposals, that they do so mainly by promoting non-physicalist metaphysical beliefs. This conclusion has implications for two broader debates: one about the mechanisms of psychedelic therapy, and one about the potential non-medical uses of psychedelics for the alleviation of existential angst in psychiatrically healthy people. On the first count, the paper argues that the role of metaphysical belief change in fear of death supports the “Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics” (REBUS) model of psychedelic therapy over alternative accounts. On the second count, the paper argues that the role of metaphysical belief change undermines the proposed use of psychedelics in the “neuroexistentialist” project of naturalizing spirituality. The best available evidence suggests that when psychedelic experiences reduce existential angst and restore a sense of meaning in life, they do so primarily by persuading people of the falsity of a broadly naturalistic worldview, and thus do not help reconcile people to the truth of such a worldview.”

Author: Chris Letheby

Summary of How Do Psychedelics Reduce Fear of Death?

A physicalistic atheist who fears death and loves truth may have heard surprising rumours that the safe, controlled ingestion of psychedelic drugs could fit the bill. These drugs are reputed to induce intense and sometimes transformative experiences that can leave users with radically new perspectives on life, death, and the meaning of it all.

In this paper, I argue that the rumours about psychedelics reducing fear of death must be taken with a grain of salt. The Metaphysical Belief Theory of psychedelic therapy may still be alive and well.

I conclude the paper by reflecting on the implications of these arguments, and suggest that the REBUS model is the most plausible account of psychedelic transformation.

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