Part 13/17:
An intriguing domain explored is the mystical and psychological effects of psychedelics, which can induce profound personal transformations. Substances like psilocybin, ayahuasca, and DMT have been used in traditional shamanic cultures and are resurging in scientific research for their therapeutic potential.
Research at institutions like Johns Hopkins shows that psychedelics can catalyze lasting changes in personality—specifically, increases in openness and creativity. Participants often rate their experiences as among the most meaningful of their lives, sometimes comparable to near-death experiences. The neurochemical basis involves interactions with serotonin systems, but the subjective impacts are difficult to quantify.