CogSci Colloquium: David Yaden (Johns Hopkins)

What are psychedelic experiences like?

Abstract: The question in the title can have at least two different meanings: 1) what do psychedelic experiences feel like and 2) what other experiences are similar to psychedelic experiences (e.g., psychosis, meditation, etc.)? In this talk, I will discuss current major characterizations and measures of psychedelic experiences and compare them to mental states that seem to share some similarities but are triggered through different means. I will also discuss the (mixed) evidence for metaphysical belief changes after psychedelic experiences, as well as emerging evidence on how pre-existing beliefs might help to shape psychedelic experiences. I will conclude by discussing studies involving the administration of psychedelic substances to individuals with different belief systems (e.g., religious, spiritual-but-not-religious, and atheistic), which may shed light on how certain worldviews might change the content and the risk/benefit profiles of these experiences.