Psychedelic therapy helps create mental images

Some people are unable to mentally visualize an object, a landscape or a face. This disorder has a name: aphana. In the journal Cortexresearchers in Australian psychology explain that therapies based on psychedelics could allow these individuals to develop their visualization capacity. But they warn in the face of the risk of undesirable effects.

APHAntasia: What is a psychedelic therapy?

“Psychedelic therapy is increasing, because its legalization is underway in several countries “recall these scientists in the preamble to their study. This type of management is based on psychedelic substances such as MDMA, LSD or Ketamine, combined with psychotherapy sessions. “”Its medical use has shown promising results in the case of treatment resistant to treatments, post-traumatic stress syndrome, anxiety and disorders related to the use of substances “they say.

Recently, scientific work, including two case studies, and testimonials have shown that people with aphantasis can be mentally visualized thanks to psychedelics. Thus, a man was able to create mental images after having taken a dose of an Amazonian hallucinogen, the Ayahuasca, and a woman also managed to do so after taking hallucinogenic mushrooms. For the latter, the effects on its visualization capacity have continued more than a year after experience. According to scientists, psychedelics act on the activity of the visual cortex in the brain and on connectivity between certain brain areas.

Psychedelic therapy: Risks of unwanted image for people with aphantasy

If these results seem encouraging, Australian researchers alert on the risks of undesirable effects. “”The visualization of images can emotionally amplify thoughts, connecting strong images to a painful and undesirable emotional content in the form of intrusive thoughts, they warn. Associations include an increased risk of flashbacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and sudden suicidal thoughts. “ According to them, this new visualization capacity could generate these images “intrusive “In people with aphantasis.

“It is strongly recommended to find out about previous studies before administering or undergoing treatmentrecall Australian scientists, Knowing that the sudden appearance of visual imaging could lead to difficulties involving intrusive and anxiety thoughts, and that all the potential results must be explained so that people can make an informed decision.”