Learning from boundlessness: epistemic shifts towards a holistic worldview following psychedelic experiences
This new study found that individuals’ transformative psychedelic experiences were often followed by lasting changes in worldview, particularly toward more holistic, interconnected frameworks of understanding self, others, and reality. These changes extended across intrapersonal, interpersonal, and transpersonal domains.
“Psychedelic substances are increasingly recognized for their potential to catalyse transformative shifts in worldviews. Central to these transformations may be the integration of self-transcendent states.
This mixed-methods study explored transformative psychedelic experiences, focussing on subsequent epistemic shifts. Ninety participants completed the Awe Experience Scale (AWE-S), and the Inclusion of Other in Self Scale (IOS) and open-ended questions exploring epistemic changes.
The vastness and connectedness components of awe recalled from the acute psychedelic experience were significantly positively associated with perceived self–other overlap post-experience.
Thematic Network Analysis revealed three epistemic shift clusters: (1) expanded awareness and openness to complexity, (2) dissolution of societal and natural boundaries, (3) increased prosociality, compassion and acceptance of difference. Together, these patterns suggest that boundary-expanding experiences can promote reflective meaning-making towards more holistic, interconnected frameworks of understanding self, others, and the world.
We discuss the potential of psychedelic experiences to foster prosocial and ecologically aware worldviews, and highlight the need for further research to identify culturally attuned resources for supporting the integration of transformative psychedelic experiences.”
Note
Participants who reported higher levels of awe - especially the vastness and connectedness aspects of the experience - also tended to report greater perceived overlap between self and others afterwards. This suggests that moments of profound awe during psychedelic states may act as catalysts for rethinking boundaries between self, others, and the world.
Overall, the study suggests that profound psychedelic experiences can foster deep epistemic shifts that:
Expand how people understand themselves, others, and reality;
Increase openness, compassion, and ecological awareness;
Lead to more holistic and interconnected worldviews but also carry risks that benefit from supportive integration.
Argyri, E.K., Fraser, F., Schilling, S. et al. Learning from boundlessness: epistemic shifts towards a holistic worldview following psychedelic experiences. npj Mental Health Res 5, 6 (2026). Read Paper
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