Being no one, being One: The role of ego-dissolution and connectedness in the therapeutic effects of psychedelic experience

Summary & key facts

Researchers reviewed 15 studies with about 2,200 people to see how two parts of the psychedelic experience — losing your sense of self (called ego-dissolution) and feeling more connected to others and the world (connectedness) — relate to therapeutic benefit. They found that both experiences are linked to a higher chance of getting better after a psychedelic session. Ego-dissolution seems to spark psychological change but usually fades with the drug experience, while connectedness often lasts longer and brings several positive feelings that could help people recover. The authors suggest focusing on preparing people for possible ego-dissolution before sessions and on building connectedness afterwards, but they also say the exact reasons these effects happen still need more study.

Key facts:

• The paper was a mixed methods systematic review that combined findings from 15 studies and about 2,200 people.
• Both ego-dissolution (a temporary loss of the usual sense of self) and increased connectedness (feeling closer to others and life) were linked with a higher chance of improvement after a psychedelic experience.
• Ego-dissolution tended to trigger psychological change but usually did not last beyond the psychedelic experience itself.
• Connectedness was often more sustained after the session and was tied to several positive feelings that could be therapeutic.
• The reviewers analyzed data from four research databases and organized results using thematic analysis and narrative synthesis.
• The authors suggest that therapists or guides might emphasise preparation for ego-dissolution before sessions and focus on building connectedness during the integration period after sessions.
• The paper says these findings help build theories about how psychedelics might work, but it also notes that the exact mechanisms are still unclear and need more research.

Abstract

Abstract Background and aims Despite promising findings indicating the therapeutic potential of psychedelic experience across a variety of domains, the mechanisms and factors affecting its efficacy remain unclear. The present paper explores this by focusing on two psychedelic states which have been suggested as therapeutically significant in past literature: ego-dissolution and connectedness. The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of ego-dissolution and connectedness on the therapeutic effects of the psychedelic experience. Methods The investigation was carried out as a mixed methods systematic review, with the data from four databases analysed thematically and results presented through narrative synthesis. Results The analysis and synthesis of findings from 15 unique studies ( n = 2,182) indicated that both ego-dissolution and connectedness are associated with a higher chance of improvement following a psychedelic experience. However, there seem to be differences in the way the two experiences affect individuals psychologically. Ego-dissolution appears to trigger psychological change but does not typically exceed the psychedelic experience in its duration, while connectedness can be more sustained and is associated with several positive, potentially therapeutic feelings. Conclusions Moreover, the findings of this review have implications for further theory-building about the mechanisms which enable therapeutic effects in psychedelic experience. This in turn might lead to improved models for psychedelic therapy practice. Emphasis on ego-dissolution during the preparation phase and on connectedness during integration is one suggestion presented here, alongside overarching implications for the mental health debate and general practice.

Topics

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Affect (linguistics) Clinical psychology Communication Feeling Id, ego and super-ego Linguistics Mental health Narrative Philosophy Psychology Psychotherapist Social connectedness Social psychology

Conditions & symptoms

Feeling disconnected from others