The power of insight: How psychedelics solicit false beliefs

This theory-building paper (2023) presents the first cohesive model of how psychedelics induce false insights (and beliefs).

Abstract of The Power of Insight

“Psychedelics are increasingly recognised for their therapeutic potential and ability to re-orient belief structures. However, the potential they carry for inducing false insights and beliefs has thus far been under-considered. Here, we outline the first cohesive model of how psychedelics induce false insights and thence beliefs, leveraging findings from cognitive psychology and computational neuroscience. Being able to explain and understand how psychedelics solicit false beliefs is crucial if we are to optimally leverage their apparent therapeutic potential.”

Authors: H.T. McGovern, Hilary Grimmer, Manoj Doss, Brendan Hutchinson, Christopher Timmermann, Aidan Lyon, Philip R. Corlett & Ruben Laukkonen

Summary of The Power of Insight

When an idea or problem solution appears, it can produce a distinct and powerful phenomenology, known as insight moments. This phenomenology may be a defining feature of psychedelic experiences. Psychedelics are increasingly recognised for their potential to restructure maladaptive beliefs underlying mental illness. However, the quality of these insights is not always well-founded, and psychedelics may increase the frequency of belief changes, orthogonal to accuracy. Insight moments may play a key role in psychedelic experiences, and may be important for precipitating subsequent changes to mind and behaviour.

However, insight moments can also be wrong or misleading and thus warrant appraisal of how psychedelic-induced insights could also proliferate false or maladaptive beliefs. Insight moments are a special type of problem-solving process where a problem-solver achieves a sudden and complete mental restructuring of a problem. These moments are often associated with correct solutions to problems.

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The power of insight: How psychedelics solicit false beliefs

https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/97gjw

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Cite this paper (APA)

McGovern, H., Grimmer, H. J., Doss, M., Hutchinson, B., Timmermann, C., Lyon, A., … Laukkonen, R., Dr. (2023, July 3). The power of insight: How psychedelics solicit false beliefs. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/97gjw

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This survey (n=2,374) sought to characterise a broad range of psychedelic-induced changes in beliefs. Upon analysis, five key factors were identified: dualism, paranormal/spirituality, non-mammal consciousness, mammal consciousness, and superstition. Increases in non-physicalist beliefs included belief in reincarnation, communication with the dead, existence of consciousness after death, telepathy, and consciousness of inanimate natural objects at an individual level.

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