Neuroscience of Psychedelic Experiences

Harvard FAS

During a psychedelic experience, people report profound alterations in their sensation, perception, and consciousness, ranging from visual distortions to a loss of the sense of self to a feeling of “oneness” with the universe. While the psychedelic experience may last only minutes to hours, many people with these experiences report long-lasting changes in their thought patterns and perspectives for weeks to months afterwards. Psychedelic experiences can be induced by use of substances such as…