Daniel
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thisispsychedelico.com
Daniel
@thisispsychedelico.com
550 followers 550 following 1.2K posts
Anthropologist curious about #psychedelics, #phenomenology, #art & #arthistory, #archaeology, #aesthetics, and #philosophy. Em dash, semicolon, and Oxford comma enthusiast. MA in #anthropology.
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thisispsychedelico.com
Well— 🤔

#Kierkegaard #philosopy
Meme-style image with the words "Kierkegaard would have killed on Twitter" above, and then an excerpt from Kierkegaard's journal (1838) that reads: “I have just returned from a party of which I was the life and the soul; witty banter flowed from my lips, everyone laughed and admired me—but I came away, indeed that dash should be as long as the radii of the earth’s orbit——————————————————wanting to shoot myself.”
October 29, 2025 at 8:41 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Screenshot of the paper's abstract, which reads: Aesthetic experience is widely believed to foster creativity, yet the neural mechanisms mediating this link remain poorly defined. Here, we propose five key brain networks that may support this process and systematically review the evidence. In the creative generation stage, immersive aesthetic stimuli first activate the default mode network (DMN), which supports memory retrieval and spontaneous divergent thinking. Concurrently, the executive control network (ECN) remains suppressed, enabling associative thinking and intuitive creativity, while the salience network (SN) monitors novel or emotionally salient features. During the creative evaluation stage, aesthetic processing synergistically engages the SN, DMN, and ECN. The SN flexibly modulates the coupling between the DMN and ECN. The DMN contributes to affective and interoceptive evaluation, retrieves prototypical events, and supports insight generation, whereas the ECN inhibits conventional ideas, facilitates mental set shifting, and promotes the formation of novel associations. In the creative expression stage, aesthetic experience recruits the sensorimotor network (SMN), enhancing creative output and improvisational capability. Across all three stages, the reward system (RS) plays a dual role in both initiating and sustaining creativity. Dopamine released in response to aesthetic pleasure increases cognitive flexibility and task persistence during the generation and evaluation stages. In the expression stage, it maintains high creative motivation, thereby driving creative implementation and reinforcing emotional resonance. Importantly, none of these stages is mediated by a single brain region or network; instead, creativity is supported by the dynamic reconfiguration of connections within and between these networks. Finally, the review addresses current challenges in the field and proposes promising future directions.
October 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Somewhat adjacent to my last post—this little book is what initially sparked my interest in #psychedelics as an #archaeology undergrad who wanted to study ice age cave paintings in Europe. Their descriptions of altered states are a little, ah, naïve, but I didn't know that at the time. ⬇️
Couverture de « Les chamanes de la préhistoire : Texte intégral, polémiques et réponses » (2007) par Jean Clottes et David Lewis-Williams
October 17, 2025 at 6:17 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Screenshot of the paper's abstract, which reads: Religious experiences are important for many human traditions. A predictive processing-based approach to religious experiences previously identified sensory deprivation and the influence of authority as probable means of their induction. To observe the effects of these factors on human perception and psychology, this qualitative study focuses on the alternative-spiritual practice called Dark therapy, which combines days alone in complete darkness with the influence of authority—a guide consulting clients daily. Qualitative data were obtained via interviews and engaged field observations; interview data from 12 participants were analyzed using open and hypothesis coding. Findings demonstrate that Dark therapy induces psychologically challenging experiences and unusual perceptual phenomena. Participants who can gain a feeling of control could actively exploit the Dark by gaining perceptually active experiences related to their expectations, beliefs, and previous cultural learning. Guides could influence clients’ experiences, but clients only chose to learn from them when perceiving guides as prestigious. Combining sensory deprivation with social seclusion and the influence of authority thus seems to be a potent practice for the induction of spiritual and other special experiences. The predictive processing framework and theories on human ethology can provide a useful explanatory framework for the observed effects of these factors and point to interesting future directions in research on religious experiences.
October 17, 2025 at 5:59 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Screenshot of the paper's abstract, which reads: Psychedelic therapy is commonly understood as a form of psychotherapy. However, despite promising results from clinical trials, scientific progress has been hindered by a lack of theoretical integration between the fields of psychedelic and psychotherapy research. This article seeks to bridge this divide by outlining a transtheoretical understanding of psychedelic-occasioned psychological change based on Klaus Grawe’s model of general change mechanisms—an empirically grounded framework of psychotherapeutic “common factors” that emphasizes therapeutic experiences and change processes. Drawing on extensive evidence from psychedelic research, we argue that the efficacy of psychedelic therapy is ultimately mediated by the same five general change mechanisms that underlie all effective psychotherapies: (1) resource activation, (2) therapeutic relationship, (3) problem actuation, (4) clarification, and (5) mastery. Implications for clinical practice, training, and future research are discussed.
October 15, 2025 at 8:07 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Screenshot of the paper's abstract, which reads: The paper critically discusses whether mystical experiences induced by psychedelics should be considered inauthentic or counterfeit forms of mystical experiences. It examines three arguments against the authenticity of these experiences: pimes are too easy; pimes do not have lasting spiritual or moral effects; pimes do not involve divine grace. Positive arguments for the authenticity of pimes discussed are as follows: pimes rely on similar neural mechanisms as other mystical experiences; pimes are phenomenologically similar to other mystical experiences. The paper argues that the positive arguments are more convincing than the negative ones. It thereby presents a case in favor of the authenticity of psychedelically induced mystical experiences.
October 15, 2025 at 7:47 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
🤣🤣🤣

My bff and I are so stupid sometimes—an actual text exchange from yesterday and today:
An iMessage text exchange where in the first person asks, "You ever thought about getting 10,000 steps a day like me instead of gooning and playing Sega Genesis all day?" The second person replies, "You're the gooner."
October 11, 2025 at 5:32 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Screenshot of the paper's abstract, which reads: Why are certain common classes of ritually destroyed objects (persons, artifacts, or architecture), such as persecuted witches, so difficult to identify in the archaeological record? Although a common topic in cultural anthropology, witches seldom receive the attention of archaeologists. The difficulties archaeologists face in the study of religion derive, in part, from the lack of correlates linking ritual activities to the formulation of archaeological deposits. This paper defines ritual as a technology and employs an object life history approach that draws upon ethnographic, archaeological, and experimental research to begin building such linkages—including those describing the persecution and disposition of witches, sorcerers, and other victims of ritual violence. These new directions are illuminated through a case study of anomalous deposits of human skeletal remains from the North American Southwest.
October 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Oh, I see. I don't know anything about D&D, really. But about five minutes ago I was looking through my photos for something else, and ran across this meme I'd saved at one point.
Meme split into two halves. On top, it says, Friend: So you just sit at a table and pretend to go into dungeons and fight dragons? Is it fun? The bottom half is the response, showing Big Bob from Bob's Burgers saying, "I mean, I don't want to oversell it, but it changes you forever."
October 8, 2025 at 10:18 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
This request is really for everyone. Most of mine are in boxes or storage currently. This is a pic of my wonderful high-rise apartment in #Chicago that I miss terribly.
A stylish living room with books prominently displayed on the back wall and on the coffee table.
October 8, 2025 at 8:52 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
This is a bad take, and why sometimes people have unrealistic expectations about #psychedelics and their outcomes. They may help change unhelpful perspectives if you're being intentional about it, but that doesn't mean you have everything you need. And sometimes you don't *know* what you need.
"The strangest part of tripping is realizing you already had everything you need to create the life you want."
October 8, 2025 at 8:09 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
(Don't willy nilly just gobble down magic mushrooms, please.)
Screenshot of the paper's abstract, which reads: Psychedelic fungi have received considerable attention recently due to their promising treatment potential of several psychiatric disorders and medical conditions, both in clinical settings but also as a nutraceutical. Besides research, a growing number of companies are developing capacity to conduct research and clinical trials where these fungi and their products can be used, and to provide these fungi to the public market that are rapidly becoming legal across the world. Whereas Psilocybe species are better known as psychedelic fungi, species in Panaeolus are also reputed to contain the psychedelic compound psilocybin and used recreationally. For the novice, there is no contemporary scientific summary of all the species in this genus that are known to be psychedelic, compared to those that are not. The global distribution and species diversity of these brown to white, often inconspicuous mushrooms are also not summarised, nor is it known to what extent DNA sequence data that are needed for identification have been generated for all of the species in this genus. However, psychedelic Panaeolus species are used and moved across the world. This lack of data makes it difficult to regulate bioexploitation and apply law enforcement of these fungi and the compounds they contain, especially seen in the light of the rapid development of the related markets. The aim of this review is to summarise current scientific data and knowledge on the species biodiversity, geographical distribution, extent of sequence data for identification purposes, and the psychedelic potential of species, based on published results. The review revealed where species are mostly known from, while also indicating areas seriously lacking such biodiversity data. A significant degree of study across the world is still needed to confirm which of these species are truly psychedelic and exactly what compounds they can produce.
October 8, 2025 at 6:50 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
I gleefully await the day AI can correctly check the box and/or pick out all the images with fire hydrants. How I will laugh and laugh! What are you gonna do then, Cloudflare? What are you going to do then? Lol
A Cloudflare "Verify you are human" checkbox
October 8, 2025 at 6:23 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
If you see this post, a random photo (or meme) from your photo gallery without explaining it.
A meme of a stick figure man with flames covering his body as he runs away. The text reads: "I tried it at home!"
October 6, 2025 at 6:24 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Abstract: Psychedelic use in naturalistic settings in Australia is increasing. Although the risks and harms of psychedelics from a physical perspective are low, psychedelic drugs carry a unique psychological risk profile which is increased in uncontrolled settings. Harm reduction support services align with the Australian Government’s Federal Drug strategy, which includes harm reduction as the third pillar in the overall harm minimisation approach to drug use for the period of 2017–2026. This study examined the harm reduction behaviours which users of psychedelics in naturalistic settings currently use, and any harm reduction interventions which have been developed for this population. A scoping review was undertaken using online databases, Psychinfo, Medline, CINAHL and Scopus. Articles were included if they explored or informed harm reduction practices for users of psychedelic drugs in naturalistic settings, which included articles that investigated motivations for psychedelic use. Twenty-seven papers were included, which contained only four intervention-based studies. Harm reduction or benefit enhancing strategies were categorised into three themes: before psychedelic use, during psychedelic experience and after the experience (integration). The review found that users of psychedelic drugs in naturalistic settings employ several different harm minimisation strategies, predominantly before and during use. Motivation for use, social setting and dosage amount were all found to influence the strategies used. There were a limited number of evaluated interventions for users of psychedelics in naturalistic settings, identifying the need for further research in this area. Challenges for harm reduction campaigns such as low uptake of drug checking services and low trust in government institutions were identified. Further research needs to consider the differing motivations of psychedelic users and recognise strategies that promote benefit enhancement and reduce risk.
October 6, 2025 at 4:27 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Curious to hear people's experiences with #sativa #cannabis strains as an alternative to stimulant meds for managing #ADHD. Does it help or is it all hype?

(I'm prescribed Adderall for ADHD, but I don't take it that often, bc I don't like the side effects. It does help me get things done, though.)
Vibrant green cannabis plants
October 3, 2025 at 6:43 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Started reading this last night, and It made me wonder (not for the first time) what the world would be like if there were no gods? Ever. Anywhere. Like, humans just never considered the supernatural as a possibility? 🤔

#psychedelics #religion #BookSky
Cover of God on Psychedelics: Tripping Across the Rubble of Old-Time Religion by Don Lattin (2023)
October 1, 2025 at 3:36 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Screenshot of the paper's abstract, which reads: Psychedelics have a profound potential to catalyze psychological transformation and support traditional cultures and ways of life. However, many naturally occurring psychoactive plants and animals are facing threats from climate change, habitat loss and other anthropogenic pressures like overharvesting. In this narrative review we examine the conservation issues pertaining to some of the most well-known naturally occurring psychedelics: peyote (Lophophora williamsii), ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi), iboga (Tabernanthe iboga) and the Sonoran Desert toad (Incilius alvarius). For each of the four species we aim to: review their conservation status; assess the sustainability of current sourcing practices; discuss pathways for sustainability of access; examine the efforts underway to preserve these medicines by Indigenous people and local communities; and propose how these efforts could be supported or expanded. This review focuses on an urgent issue of conservation of naturally occurring psychedelic plant and animal species and draws attention to their conservation needs. We conclude that despite biological and ecological differences, all four species face similar knowledge gaps limiting evidence-based conservation. Priorities across species include: long-term ecological and demographic monitoring; genetic and chemical diversity studies; sustainable harvest and management research; integration of Iindigenous knowledge and socio-cultural research into conservation frameworks.
September 29, 2025 at 9:40 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Screenshot of the paper's abstract, which reads: I take “neo-perennialists” to share the following, minimal claim: there exists a cross-cultural category of experiences that can be defined as “mystical”. I first clarify the neo-perennialist project and defend its overall feasibility. I then criticize the narrow focus on mystical experiences that has characterized much neo-perennialist research, and research based on the above-mentioned core claim. With “narrow” I refer both to the specific understanding of mystical states that has become dominant in the literature, and the tendency to focus on mystical experiences specifically, out of all possible altered states. I finally analyze some criteria, external to the phenomenology of extraordinary experiences, that one might appeal to in order to justify restricting a neo-perennialist account, or study, to (certain) mystical states. I close the essay with a call to (1) refine the definition of “mystical experience”, and (2) push the cross-cultural study of altered states of consciousness beyond mystical states.
September 28, 2025 at 8:53 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Those were the days. #DoctorWho
A two panel meme showing scenes from Doctor Who s06e01 "The Impossible Astronaut." The top panel reads: "That awkward moment when you get shot by your wife, in front of your wife, who then proceeds to try to kill your wife, while your best friend is off to the side pregnant..." The bottom panel shows the Eleventh Doctor with a confused look on his face, and the thought continues, "...WITH YOUR WIFE."
September 28, 2025 at 8:11 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
This is the sexiest contemporary artwork I've seen in a long time. I can't stop looking at it—it's absolutely stunning. Good grief.

Artist: LEGIO_X (2025)
Abstract digital artwork by @LEGIO_X (https://x.com/LEGIO_X_/status/1971597157481566622): A geometric abstract artwork featuring a series of evenly spaced black vertical bars forming a three-dimensional corner or enclosure. A sharp red beam diagonally cuts across the scene from upper left to lower right, intersected by a faint magenta glow, while a contrasting deep blue plane emerges from the lower right, enhancing the sense of depth. The bars cast shadows that form a solid black triangular shape in the center, adding a visual illusion of volume and perspective. The minimalist composition and bold use of primary colors evoke a retro-futurist or op art aesthetic.
September 27, 2025 at 5:15 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Screenshot of the paper's abstract, which reads: Awe is theorized to serve a social function, enabling individuals to integrate into collaborative groups and engage in collective action. Across five studies (N = 1,124), we examined awe’s role in promoting identity fusion—an apex form of group connection. Two cross-sectional studies (1a and 1b) revealed that dispositional awe predicted stronger identity fusion. Three subsequent experiments (Studies 2–5) demonstrated that awe experiences strengthened identity fusion, with analyses revealing that the small-self sense of “vastness vis-à-vis the self” provided a significant indirect pathway linking awe (vs. controls) to increased fusion. These effects replicated across varying awe manipulations (emotion recall and virtual reality), target groups (country, university, local community, and nature), and cultural contexts (Australian and American samples). Our findings suggest that awe primes a readiness to fuse with groups, creating an openness to deeper collective bonds. Importantly, rather than diminishing personal agency, awe appears to foster an interdependent alignment where personal and collective goals converge, motivating individuals to direct their capabilities toward shared goals through mutual strengthening between self and group.
September 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Screenshot of the paper's abstract, which reads: This research addresses the gap regarding the need for a brief, state measure of awe by developing and validating the Awe Short Measure (Awe-SM). Study 1 (N = 246) utilized exploratory factor analysis, resulting in a nine-item, three-factor solution with high factor loadings and adequate internal consistency. Study 2 (N = 576) validated the Awe-SM through confirmatory factor analysis, reaffirming internal consistency and establishing convergent and divergent validity against existing measures. The Awe-SM's three-factor solution encompasses connectedness, absorption, and perception, reflecting key aspects of awe concordant with existing theoretical and empirical findings. The Awe-SM demonstrated strong correlations with subscales of the existing Awe Experience Scale, supporting its validity in capturing awe experiences. While awe is multifaceted and can contain elements of fear or threat, its predominantly positive nature was mirrored in the Awe-SM's correlations with positive and negative affect measures. The Awe-SM provides a valid, succinct measure of state awe.
September 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Screenshot of the paper's abstract, which reads: The potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic, mystical experiences, and peak spiritual experiences are of increasing interest among clinicians, researchers, and the public. Several studies have proposed potential parallels between the altered states of consciousness associated with psychedelics and hypnosis. Although there has been increased interest in psychedelics, mystical experiences, hypnosis, and non-ordinary states of consciousness, much remains unknown. The present special issue addresses many of these questions, such as: What are the similarities and differences in hypnotic and psychedelic contexts? What is the clinical utility of mystical experiences that may be facilitated without drugs? Do suggestion effects play a role in psychedelics? Can mystical experiences be induced through hypnosis and meditation? What is the potential of psychedelic and hypnosis to enhance creativity and spiritual inspiration/growth? The reader will find thought provoking answers to these questions and deepen knowledge of the intersections among psychedelics, mystical experiences and hypnosis.
September 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
thisispsychedelico.com
Screenshot of the paper's abstract, which reads: Psychedelics are undergoing a clinical research renaissance, with compounds such as psilocybin advancing to Phase 3 trials for treatment-resistant depression and receiving fast-track or breakthrough designations from regulatory agencies. Despite this progress, the field lacks standardized terminology to guide clinical development, dosing, safety monitoring, and regulatory classification. Here, we present a comprehensive framework for psychedelic nomenclature based on pharmacology, subjective effects, dosing, and therapeutic use. A pharmacological classification system is described, encompassing serotonergic, glutamatergic, kappaergic, GABAergic, and atypical psychedelics. Dose-dependent categories—microdose, minidose, mididose, and macrodose—are introduced to standardize the description of dosing levels and intended subjective effects. We also standardize vague terms like “short-acting” or “long-acting” with specific pharmacokinetic parameters, including route, onset, and duration of action. Safety considerations are also explored, particularly cardiovascular and psychological effects, and we discuss the need for risk mitigation protocols in higher-risk compounds like ibogaine. The evolving role of psychotherapy in psychedelic treatment is also examined, proposing terminology to distinguish between “psychedelic therapy” and varying levels of psychological support. A three-phase treatment model—preparation, dosing, and integration—is recommended as a minimum standard for safe and effective care. The lack of comparative research on psychotherapy modalities in psychedelic therapy is identified as a critical gap. Ultimately, a standardized lexicon and clinical framework will support clearer communication, improved trial design, and more equitable access as psychedelic therapies move toward widespread clinical use.
September 25, 2025 at 2:25 PM