2021 AM Posters-The Emerging Role of Non-Ordinary Experiences in Addressing

The Emerging Role of Non-Ordinary Experiences in Addressing - 1

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This document discusses the emerging role of non-ordinary experiences (NOEs) induced by mind-body practices in the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). The authors note that while research has focused on the psychological benefits of regular practice, the therapeutic potential of acute mind-body induced NOEs has been overlooked. Preliminary data suggests that mind-body practices can produce a relaxed but alert state of mind, ideal for developing deeper states of consciousness. <br /><br />The available evidence on mind-body induced NOEs and their potential in the treatment of SUDs is reviewed. Mind-body practices such as meditation, yoga, drumming, and breathwork have been associated with reduced cravings, increased motivation to quit addictive behaviors, and decreased levels of anxiety and depression in individuals with various SUDs. <br /><br />Furthermore, preliminary evidence indicates that mind-body practices can produce NOEs comparable to those induced by hallucinogens. Advanced practitioners and those with higher levels of altruism, absorption, and religiosity were more likely to have NOEs during mind-body practices. Reported NOEs during these practices include introspective and dream-like states, trance-like states, a sense of epiphany, dissolution of the sense of self, visual phenomena, feelings of self-transcendence, awakening and spiritual liberation, amplification of psychological processes, enhanced autobiographical memory, and the emergence of difficult emotional material. <br /><br />The authors suggest that mind-body practices may represent a promising approach for treating SUDs by promoting healthy decision-making and targeting maladaptive cognitive and affective processes underlying addiction. Implementing mind-body practices may be a safer, more accessible, and acceptable way of eliciting potentially helpful NOEs compared to hallucinogen-based therapies. However, rigorous and methodologically sound empirical research in this area is limited, and further investigation is needed to understand the psychological mechanisms of change and the role of non-ordinary experiences in producing and maintaining these changes.

Keywords

non-ordinary experiences

mind-body practices

treatment of substance use disorders

psychological benefits

acute mind-body induced NOEs

relaxed but alert state of mind

meditation

yoga

drumming

breathwork

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