Psychedelics, Empathogens and Mindfulness-based Capacities: A Review of Recently Published Research Findings
Psychedelic Press Journal 26 (2019): 65-81
Abstract: This research summary address the emerging affinities and potential synergies between mindfulness-based interventions and the renaissance of psychedelic research in general as well as psychedelics as a pharmacological pathway for increasing mindfulness-related capacities and the possible role of mindfulness in navigating psychedelic experiences in particular.
An overview of recent clinical and neuroscientific research will provide evidence for this curious relationship by highlighting the increasing use of mindfulness-related scales and concepts as outcome measures in psychedelic research as well their possibly shared mechanisms of action. Since mindfulness has arisen as a modernized and evidence-based translation of traditional Buddhist contemplative practices, these recent research findings may also shed new light onto the disputed relationship of Buddhism and psychedelics, especially if these are contextualized within the wider perspective of historical, cultural and philosophical studies.
The summary closes with a few implications for the future development of the research and practice of both mindfulness and psychedelics by questioning what psychedelic researchers and practitioners may learn from the pros and cons of mainstreaming mindfulness and how more traditional Buddhist viewpoints may provide potentially fruitful contributions to this discourse.
