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Review ArticleReview Article

Self-Entropic Broadening Theory: Toward a New Understanding of Self and Behavior Change Informed by Psychedelics and Psychosis

Haley Maria Dourron, Camilla Strauss and Peter S. Hendricks
Eric Barker, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Pharmacological Reviews October 2022, 74 (4) 984-1029; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.121.000514
Haley Maria Dourron
Drug Use & Behavior Laboratory, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (H.M.D., P.S.H.) and Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey (C.S.)
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  • ORCID record for Haley Maria Dourron
Camilla Strauss
Drug Use & Behavior Laboratory, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (H.M.D., P.S.H.) and Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey (C.S.)
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Peter S. Hendricks
Drug Use & Behavior Laboratory, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (H.M.D., P.S.H.) and Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey (C.S.)
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Eric Barker
Roles: ASSOCIATE EDITOR
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Abstract

The extremes of human experiences, such as those occasioned by classic psychedelics and psychosis, provide a rich contrast for understanding how components of these experiences impact well-being. In recent years, research has suggested that classic psychedelics display the potential to promote positive enduring psychologic and behavioral changes in clinical and nonclinical populations. Paradoxically, classic psychedelics have been described as psychotomimetics. This review offers a putative solution to this paradox by providing a theory of how classic psychedelics often facilitate persistent increases in well-being, whereas psychosis leads down a “darker” path. This will be done by providing an overview of the overlap between the states (i.e., entropic processing) and their core differences (i.e., self-focus). In brief, entropic processing can be defined as an enhanced overall attentional scope and decreased predictability in processing stimuli facilitating a hyperassociative style of thinking. However, the outcomes of entropic states vary depending on level of self-focus, or the degree to which the associations and information being processed are evaluated in a self-referential manner. We also describe potential points of overlap with less extreme experiences, such as creative thinking and positive emotion-induction. Self-entropic broadening theory offers a heuristically valuable perspective on classic psychedelics and their lasting effects and relation to other states by creating a novel synthesis of contemporary theories in psychology.

Significance Statement Self-entropic broadening theory provides a novel theory examining the psychedelic-psychotomimetic paradox, or how classic psychedelics can be therapeutic, yet mimic symptoms of psychosis. It also posits a framework for understanding the transdiagnostic applicability of classic psychedelics. We hope this model invigorates the field to provide more rigorous comparisons between classic psychedelic-induced states and psychosis and further examinations of how classic psychedelics facilitate long-term change. As a more psychedelic future of psychiatry appears imminent, a model that addresses these long-standing questions is crucial.

Footnotes

    • Received October 12, 2021.
    • Revision received June 14, 2022.
    • Accepted June 16, 2022.
  • This work received no external funding.

  • P.S.H. serves on the scientific advisory boards of Bright Minds Biosciences Inc., Eleusis Benefit Corporation, and Reset Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The authors have no other conflict of interest to disclose.

  • dx.doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.121.000514.

  • Copyright © 2022 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
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Pharmacological Reviews: 74 (4)
Pharmacological Reviews
Vol. 74, Issue 4
1 Oct 2022
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Review ArticleReview Article

Self-Entropic Broadening

Haley Maria Dourron, Camilla Strauss and Peter S. Hendricks
Pharmacological Reviews October 1, 2022, 74 (4) 984-1029; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.121.000514

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Review ArticleReview Article

Self-Entropic Broadening

Haley Maria Dourron, Camilla Strauss and Peter S. Hendricks
Pharmacological Reviews October 1, 2022, 74 (4) 984-1029; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.121.000514
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    • Abstract
    • I. Introduction
    • II. Entropic Processing
    • II. The Trajectory of Entropic Processing
    • III. Pharmacological Considerations
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    • V. Conclusions
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