Humans have sought out psychedelic and consciousness-altering substances for thousands of years. While prohibitive laws and associated social stigmas pushed psychedelics generally out of the mainstream, there’s a growing movement to acknowledge and embrace these substances as powerful tools for improving mental health.

Psychedelic therapies can lead to profound results. But if you’re new to the subject, it’s important to get up to speed on some of the key terms and concepts associated with psychedelic therapy.

 

Common psychedelic therapy terms:

●     Default mode network (DMN)

●     Non-ordinary state of consciousness (NOSC)

●     Mystical experience

●     Ego death / ego dissolution

 

1.  Default Mode Network

What is a Default Mode Network?

While researchers have only scratched the surface when it comes to understanding how our brains work, we do know through modern diagnostic imaging that different areas of our brains will become more engaged and active when experiencing different sets of stimuli or asked to do certain tasks.

 

A default mode network (DMN) refers to the network of brain activity that is active while a person is at rest and not acutely focused on their external environment. You can think of this as sort of like a mental “autopilot” that helps your brain efficiently navigate routine situations. This network of brain activity is also believed to be at the root of how we think about ourselves, our relation to others, and how we store and process memories.

How does a default mode network relate to psychedelic therapy?

Similar to “muscle memory” where your body becomes more comfortable and adept at routine movements with practice overtime, it’s believed that our brains may develop consistent patterns of activity(and connectivity) within our DMN that strengthen over time. While these entrenched patterns are generally good for our mental functioning, there’s reason to believe this aspect of our brain function can also make it harder for us to change how we perceive ourselves and others. Studies of the DMN in people diagnosed with depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder indicate this area of the brain is often hyperactive when compared to DMN activity in healthy control groups.

 

Psychedelic therapies can be used as a way to help “rewire” our brains’ default mode networks and break free of the entrenched neurological pathways that influence how we perceive our sense of self. Studies of brain activity for users of psychedelic drugs indicate that their DMN pathways may become more malleable, with more areas of the brain showing activity. With the right guiding hand, this openness can help us change how we see ourselves and others.

 

“One thing I find the most promising is that psychedelic experiences change the way you see yourself and you see the world,” Ross says.

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2.  Non-ordinary state of consciousness

What is a non-ordinary state of consciousness?

A non-ordinary state of consciousness (NOSC) is a temporary change in how we subjectively perceive ourselves and the world around us. This altered state of consciousness isn’t solely triggered by psychedelics–intense physical activities (think of a “runner’s high”), meditation, hypnosis and sensory deprivation experiences are also potential pathways to a NOSC.

 

People across the globe have long pursued these changes in perception as a method of spiritual healing. While our early ancestors may not have fully understood why a NOSC can help the human spirit, there’s a growing base of research validating their intuition.

How does a non-ordinary state of consciousness relate to psychedelic therapy?

Psychedelics are a well-established method for achieving a NOSC. With careful guidance provided by experienced therapists, patients in a non-ordinary state of consciousness may experience a shift in perception that leads to a greater sense of interconnectedness, empathy and acceptance.

 

While an NOSC is only a temporary change, it can provide a window of opportunity for mental health professionals to effectively probe and challenge the mental barriers and lines of thinking we all tend to fall back into. This can help spur gradual and profound changes in how we think about ourselves and the world around us.

 

Pursuing a NOSC isn’t a cure-all to be taken lightly, however. Proper screening, education, guidance and being in the right setting are all critical as it is possible to have an adverse reaction to a NOSC experience.

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3.  Mystical experience

What is a mystical experience?

While a “mystical experience” might sound like something you’d find in a fantasy novel, it’s a fairly common occurrence in psychedelic experiences. A mystical experience is a subjective and profound state of consciousness that’s typically associated with a sense of interconnectedness, timelessness, and transcendence of the ego or personal identity.

 

The feeling of a mystical experience isn’t always easy for us to put into words, but it’s often described as having a sense of oneness with the universe, feeling like you’re in the presence of a divine being, or a general feeling of connection to something larger than oneself.

How do mystical experiences relate to psychedelic therapy?

We all can benefit from an occasional change in perspective in our daily lives – even if it’s something as small as taking a step away from a frustrating situation to gather yourself. A mystical experience brought on by psychedelic therapy provides a change of perspective at a much grander scale.

 

Instead of getting hyper-focused on our day-to-day challenges, these experiences can act as sort of a hard reset for our minds and spur on the type of deep introspection that can lead to lasting change.

 

4.  Ego death / ego dissolution

What is ego death?

Ego death, also called ego dissolution, is a temporary mental state where a person loses their sense of self, identity and ego. While we often discuss people’s egos in terms of how highly they think of themselves (ex: “He’s going to have a hard time admitting he’s wrong with that massive ego.”), your ego isn’t necessarily a positive or negative concept – it’s just how you perceive yourself and how you interact with the world.

 

It’s a rare phenomenon for most people to set aside their sense of self. Whether we’re conscious of it or not, we spend a lot of time and energy thinking about ourselves and how others perceive us. Letting go and temporarily losing some of the mental baggage that comes with our egos can be an illuminating and liberating experience.  

How does ego death relate to psychedelic therapy?

Mental health is closely intertwined with our sense of self. Our egos can cause us to have deeply ingrained ways of thinking that can become barriers to positive change. Psychedelic therapies have the ability to trigger the aforementioned mystical experiences that often bring about elements of ego death or dissolution. With an ego out of the picture, it can become easier to see those mental barriers or rigid ways of thinking in a new light–and reevaluate accordingly.

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A new frontier in your mental health

Psychedelic therapies can spark powerful changes in how we view ourselves and the world around us. This is an exciting new frontier for mental health treatment, but the process should not be taken lightly. The skilled clinicians at Intero can help you determine if psychedelic therapy is an appropriate treatment option, and if so, expertly guide you along this profound journey.

 

If you’re ready to take that first step, visit the Get Started page to get connected with an Intero therapist.  

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