Embedding existential psychology within psychedelic science: reduced death anxiety as a mediator of the therapeutic effects of psychedelics

Authors

Sam G. Moreton, University of WollongongFollow
Luke Szalla, University of Wollongong
Rachel Menzies, University of Sydney
Andrew Arena, University of Sydney

RIS ID

140571

Publication Details

Moreton, S. G., Szalla, L., Menzies, R. E. & Arena, A. F. (2019). Embedding existential psychology within psychedelic science: reduced death anxiety as a mediator of the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. Psychopharmacology, Online First 1-12.

Abstract

Psychedelic therapies can engender enduring improvements in psychological well-being. However, relatively little is known about the psychological mechanisms through which the salutary effects of psychedelics emerge. Through integrating extant research on psychedelics with contemporary existential psychology, we present a novel hypothesis that reduced death anxiety may be a key mechanism underpinning the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. In developing this hypothesis, we also provide a complementary review of mechanisms through which psychedelics may reduce death anxiety. We conclude that an awareness of the role of death anxiety in psychopathology has the potential to guide future research into psychedelic therapies.