Research Keyword: embodiment

Navigating groundlessness: An interview study on dealing with ontological shock and existential distress following psychedelic experiences

People who use psychedelic substances like psilocybin or LSD sometimes experience profound changes in how they understand reality that can be distressing and last for months or years. This study interviewed 26 people who went through such difficult experiences and found that what helped them most was practicing grounding techniques (like yoga, spending time in nature, and creative activities), talking about their experiences with others, and learning to accept their new perspectives. The research shows that while these experiences can be challenging, people can recover and grow from them with the right support and practices.

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Why psychedelic-assisted therapy studies in eating disorders risk missing the mark on outcomes: a phenomenological psychopathology perspective

This scientific commentary examines how research on psychedelic-assisted therapy for eating disorders may be missing important aspects of how people actually experience the treatment. The authors argue that current study methods rely too heavily on questionnaires that don’t capture the full depth of what people experience during psychedelic sessions. They propose using phenomenological approaches—methods that deeply explore lived experience—to better understand which aspects of the psychedelic experience actually lead to recovery from eating disorders.

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Weaving birth: interdependence and the fungal turn

This article explores how childbirth can be understood through the metaphor of fungal networks, which emphasize connection and interdependence rather than isolation and control. The authors compare two contrasting birth experiences—one marked by feelings of abandonment and the need to defend oneself, the other by trust and surrender—to show how different care models shape birthing experiences. Like fungi that thrive through interconnected relationships, positive births flourish in environments of love, safety, and collective support rather than standardized medical protocols.

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Weaving birth: interdependence and the fungal turn

This paper explores childbirth through an innovative lens, comparing it to how fungal networks operate—through connection and interdependence rather than isolation. Using real birth stories, the authors show how supportive, trusting care environments allow mothers to surrender to the birthing process, whereas medical systems focused on control and isolation can be traumatic. The paper argues that positive birth experiences happen when pregnant people feel safe, supported, and connected to their care providers, communities, and their own bodies.

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Weaving birth: interdependence and the fungal turn

This paper explores how childbirth can be understood through the metaphor of fungal networks, which interconnect and support life through relationships rather than individual independence. The authors share personal birth experiences—one traumatic and controlled, one trusting and flowing—to illustrate how care models fundamentally shape birthing experiences. Using phenomenological philosophy, they argue that positive birth experiences emerge when caregivers create environments that allow the birthing person to feel safe, supported, and interconnected with others, similar to how fungi thrive through collaborative relationships.

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