Learning from boundlessness: epistemic shifts towards a holistic worldview following psychedelic experiences.

ABSTRACT: Psychedelic substances are increasingly recognized for their potential to catalyse transformative shifts in worldviews. Central to these transformations may be the integration of self-transcendent states. This mixed-methods study explored transformative psychedelic experiences, focussing on subsequent epistemic shifts. Ninety participants completed the Awe Experience Scale (AWE-S), and the Inclusion of Other in Self Scale (IOS) and open-ended questions exploring epistemic changes. The vastness and connectedness components of awe recalled from the acute psychedelic experience were significantly positively associated with perceived self-other overlap post-experience. Thematic Network Analysis revealed three epistemic shift clusters: (1) expanded awareness and openness to complexity, (2) diss

SUBMITTER: Argyri EK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12855808 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature