Episode 26

Ep. 26: Would you Believe it? Psychedelics and Transformed Worldviews

Published on: 2nd August, 2022

Psychedelics are known for their ability to shake up one’s existing belief system and provoke new ways of seeing the world. Several studies show that people often become more spiritual or religious after a powerful psychedelic experience. There is a trend in moving away from physical or materialistic worldviews into non-physical, fatalistic, or nondual worldviews. In this episode we discussion the function of a worldview in providing a sense of predictability in the world and bring a skeptic’s eye to explaining the increase in spiritual beliefs- is this just human’s proclivity to engage in pattern recognition and meaning-making? We use nerdy terms such as“ontological shock” and “ecstatic literacy”, and describe how the openness created after a deep psychedelic experience can be used for good or evil. Studies discussed in this episode include:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-01209-2

https://psyarxiv.com/rdzmy/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32461241/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32345112/

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About the Podcast

Altered States of Context

A Podcast about Psychedelics, Science and Psychotherapy

Brian Pilecki and Nathan Gates, two therapists and long-time psychedelic advocates explore the uneasy fit between a medicalized view of individual mental illness and a psychedelic view of suffering and change.

We'll also explore many of the possibilities, opportunities and pitfalls that emerge from this union.

In addition, we'll keep it weird, and talk about some of the aspects of psychedelic experiencing that make it so interesting, fun, and transformative.

This will hold interests for anyone interested in behavior change, cultural trends, and for professionals eager to explore how psychedelics are poised to change many of our therapeutic orientations and approaches.

About your hosts

Nathan Gates

Nathan is a licensed psychotherapist and co-host of Altered States of Context, a podcast about psychedelics, science and psychotherapy. In addition, he serves as president of the board for the Illinois Psychedelic Society and is a board advisor for Entheo Il, a group dedicated to the successful passage of Illinois HB1, the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens act. He also practices regenerative ranching and writes from his family's farm in rural west-central Illinois. He is a frequent guest and guest host for the Doomer Optimism podcast, a collective podcast dedicated to promotive creative and humane ways to engage with our social and environmental problems with creativity, hope, and good stewardship.

Brian Pilecki

Dr. Brian Pilecki is a clinical psychologist at the Portland Psychotherapy Clinic that specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders (OCD, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder), trauma and PTSD, and matters related to the use of psychedelics. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and practices from an orientation based in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Brian also has extensive experience in the areas of mindfulness and meditation, and incorporates them into his therapy with clients. He is an active researcher and has published on topics such as anxiety disorders, mindfulness, and the relationship between theory and practice in psychotherapy. At Portland Psychotherapy, Brian is also involved in research in the use of psychedelics for the treatment of mental health problems.