Eirini K Argyri

"Bad trips" can have surprising benefits Psychedelics can cause long-lasting challenging experiences. In certain settings, they can be transformative

New article in 'Salon' by Elizabeth Hlavinka about the bad & the good sides of 'bad trips', interviewing Eirini Argyri & myself about our work on the Challenging #Psychedelic Experiences Project exploring recovery & growth after post-psychedelic extended difficulties

www.salon.com/2025/06/06/b...

07.06.2025 12:31 — 👍 8    🔁 5    💬 1    📌 0

Psychedelics and Ontological Shock During or after intense psychedelic experiences – typically elicited by taking a high dose, or a synergistic drug combination – one may find oneself in a state known as ontological shock. This is when...

Just published this post on psychedelic-induced 'ontological shock' (a term coined by the German-American philosopher Paul Tillich).

I include some findings from a new study on this by @eirini-k-a.bsky.social @philosojules.bsky.social @drdluke.bsky.social @rosmcalpine.bsky.social and others.

26.05.2025 10:54 — 👍 6    🔁 2    💬 1    📌 1

Navigating groundlessness: An interview study on dealing with ontological shock and existential distress following psychedelic experiences Psychedelic induced mystical experiences have been largely assumed to drive the therapeutic effects of these substances, which may in part be mediated by changes in metaphysical beliefs. However, ther...

Our latest CPEP, led by @eirini-k-a.bsky.social exploring ontological shock & existential challenge as extended difficulties following a psychedelic experience - highlighting that grounding practices, integration support, & time were critical in helping participants cope. doi.org/10.1371/jour...

07.05.2025 10:35 — 👍 11    🔁 9    💬 1    📌 0

Understanding experiences with psychedelics The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the 2025 Psychedelic Community Survey, a research project for the psychedelic community. Participation is completely anonymous. Please share the survey invitation and link with anyone you think might be interested in participating.

07.04.2025 21:57 — 👍 4    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0

Grateful to all participants and to insightful collaborators, including colleagues from Exeter's Transdisciplinary Psychedelics Research Group @leorroseman.bsky.social @profceliamorgan.bsky.social

07.04.2025 06:45 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

⚖️ That said, some participants struggled with distressing or destabilizing experiences. We suggest that the ability to navigate and integrate psychedelic-induced epistemic shifts may depend on individuals’ capacity for uncertainty management ❗️❕

07.04.2025 06:45 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

These findings further highlight awe’s potential role in facilitating lasting changes in perspective that support a more interconnected and holistic understanding of self and world.

07.04.2025 06:45 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Such shifts reflect the complex processes of meaning-making that psychedelics can catalyze, aligning with theories of transformative learning that emphasize perspective transformation through the integration of novel insights.

07.04.2025 06:45 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Thematic Network Analysis graph depicting 3 clusters of epistemic shifts: 🟠Dissolution of societal and natural boundaries 🟣Expanded awareness and openness to complexity 🟢Greater compassion and acceptance of difference

Thematic Network Analysis identified 3 clusters of epistemic shifts:
🟠Dissolution of societal and natural boundaries
🟣Expanded awareness and openness to complexity
🟢Greater compassion and acceptance of difference

07.04.2025 06:45 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Quant data showed awe—especially through vastness and connectedness—was significantly associated with increased self–other overlap.

These findings highlight awe’s potential to destabilize habitual self–world boundaries and open space for ontological and epistemic transformation.

07.04.2025 06:45 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Learning from Boundlessness: Psychedelic induced awe and epistemic shifts towards a holistic worldview Psychedelic substances are increasingly recognized for their potential to catalyse transformative shifts in worldviews. Central to these transformations are states of awe, a self-transcendent, epistem...

New pre-print out 🌍✨🌌
'Learning from Boundlessness: Psychedelic induced awe and epistemic shifts towards a holistic worldview'

doi.org/10.21203/rs....
We explored how awe during psychedelic experiences relates to lasting shifts in sense of self, other, and reality

07.04.2025 06:45 — 👍 4    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0

Eirini K. Argyri 26th April 2025, in Prague. speaking on 'Growing from Groundlessness: Ontological Shock and Epistemic Metamorphosis Following Psychedelic Experiences' for the uniMIND Symposium 2025: Metamorphosis in Psychedelic Science, by the MIND Foundation

Speaking on 'Growing from Groundlessness: Ontological Shock and Epistemic Metamorphosis Following Psychedelic Experiences' in Prague, April 26th,
for the uniMIND Symposium 2025: Metamorphosis in Psychedelic Science by the @mind-foundation.bsky.social
www.mind-foundation.org/get-involved...

29.03.2025 09:17 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0