On non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogens, the transformative potential of pain and the perils of experiential sterilization

Non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogens are presented as a novel class of compounds designed to harness the therapeutic neuroplastic benefits of psychedelics while circumventing the subjective hallucinogenic experience. This approach aims to address challenges in scalability, accessibility, and safety in classic psychedelic therapy, potentially allowing for the treatment of populations otherwise unsuitable for psychedelic sessions. Psychoplastogens are explored as a potential, albeit controversial, shortcut that raises deep philosophical questions regarding the necessity of the subjective psychedelic experience in therapeutic outcomes. Experts within the field highlight the critical role of these internal experiences and the transformative impact of working through psychological pain. Ultimately, non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogens are contextualized within broader sociotechnological trends that often prioritize efficiency over deep, experiential work.