Psychedelics and neonihilism: connectedness in a meaningless world

The resurgence of psychedelic research explicitly targets treating mental health conditions largely through psychedelics-assisted psychotherapy. Current theories about mechanisms of change in psychedelics-assisted psychotherapy focus on mystical experiences as the main driver of symptom improvement. During these mystical experiences, participants report an enhanced sense of salience, connectedness, and meaning. Simultaneously, a growing psychedelic culture is also cultivating the use of psychedelics as medicine for relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression and promoting cognitive functions. We argue that an integral part of the excitement around the resurgence in psychedelics is in response to a meaning and alienation crisis that correlates with rising rates of anxiety and depression. Framing the absence of meaning as neonihilism, a contemporary correlate to the 19(th)-century phenomenon with unique features present in a neoliberal cultural context, we explore whether psychedelics combined with group therapy can provide answers to modern experiences of meaninglessness. Based on this exploration, we suggest concrete next steps both in the theory and practice of psychedelic psychotherapy toward what we are calling neonihilistic psychedelic group psychotherapy.

Automated summary

The resurgence of psychedelic research focuses on using psychedelics-assisted psychotherapy to treat mental health conditions, with current theories emphasizing the role of mystical experiences in symptom improvement. At the same time, psychedelics are increasingly used in a psychedelic culture to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms and enhance cognitive functions. This excitement around the resurgence of psychedelics is driven by a crisis of meaning and alienation correlated with rising rates of anxiety and depression. The concept of neonihilism in a neoliberal cultural context is explored to understand modern experiences of meaninglessness and whether psychedelics combined with group therapy can provide solutions. Concrete next steps are suggested for the theory and practice of psychedelic psychotherapy, leading to neonihilistic psychedelic group psychotherapy.