Psychedelics, Consciousness, Mental Health & the Entropic Brain | Robin Carhart-Harris | 173
Mind & Matter
Caracterización de los psiquedélicos clásicos
Classic psychedelics are defined as compounds that act as agonists at the serotonin 2A receptor, demonstrating a specific pharmacological interaction that is crucial for their psychedelic effects. However, this biological perspective must be complemented by an understanding of the psychological and subjective experiences they evoke. The term 'psychedelic' itself, meaning 'soul revealing,' highlights the importance of these subjective dimensions. Key aspects that differentiate classic psychedelics from similar compounds, such as ketamine or MDMA, include the distinct visual quality of experiences induced, characterized by geometric patterns and complex scenes, often more pronounced with eyes closed. Additionally, classic psychedelics facilitate profound psychological insights, enabling users to gain clarity about their environment and deeper understanding of the human psyche. While compounds like MDMA and ketamine may evoke other experiential dimensions, such as dissociation or love, they do not provide the same visual and insight-rich experiences found with classic psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and DMT.
