Eirini Argyri - Awakening from Normality: Psychedelics as Ontologically Diversifying Experiences

Psychedelics are characterized here as catalysts for ontologically diversifying experiences rather than merely therapeutic tools. These substances disrupt habitual assumptions about self and reality, creating moments of increased malleability. While this state often facilitates transformative insights, it also carries the risk of ontological shock or existential distress when established frameworks dissolve, leading to isolation or confusion. Integration emerges as essential aftercare to help individuals navigate this disorientation. Practices such as grounding, community support, and bidirectional mentorship enable individuals to synthesize these complex experiences and re-establish a sense of ontological security. Ultimately, this approach moves past the binary of medicinal versus harmful, toward an understanding of how shifting perspectives fosters resilience and personal growth.