Abstract
This paper introduces a new construct, the ‘pivotal mental state’, which is defined as a hyper-plastic state aiding rapid and deep learning that can mediate psychological transformation. We believe this new construct bears relevance to a broad range of psychological and psychiatric phenomena. We argue that pivotal mental states serve an important evolutionary function, that is, to aid psychological transformation when actual or perceived environmental pressures demand this. We cite evidence that chronic stress and neurotic traits are primers for a pivotal mental state, whereas acute stress can be a trigger. Inspired by research with serotonin 2A receptor agonist psychedelics, we highlight how activity at this particular receptor can robustly and reliably induce pivotal mental states, but we argue that the capacity for pivotal mental states is an inherent property of the human brain itself. Moreover, we hypothesize that serotonergic psychedelics hijack a system that has evolved to mediate rapid and deep learning when its need is sensed. We cite a breadth of evidences linking stress via a variety of inducers, with an upregulated serotonin 2A receptor system (e.g. upregulated availability of and/or binding to the receptor) and acute stress with 5-HT release, which we argue can activate this primed system to induce a pivotal mental state. The pivotal mental state model is multi-level, linking a specific molecular gateway (increased serotonin 2A receptor signaling) with the inception of a hyper-plastic brain and mind state, enhanced rate of associative learning and the potential mediation of a psychological transformation.
Highlights
One way of explaining quantum change experiences is that they represent a kairos, a turning point in the life journey where major change must occur because the person in unable or unwilling to continue in his or her present course
We highlight striking similarities in the conditions of induction, neuropharmacology, neurobiology and psychology of transformative experiences. We demonstrate that these similarities are most compelling when one focuses on the states preceding and mediating psychological transformations, but become obscured when one selectively attends to the products of the transformations themselves
We propose that the mechanisms underlying pivotal mental state (PiMS) have evolved to aid rapid and deep learning in situations of perceived or actual existential threat or crisis for the ultimate purpose of catalyzing psychological change when circumstances demand this
Summary
One way of explaining quantum change experiences is that they represent a kairos, a turning point in the life journey where major change must occur because the person in unable or unwilling to continue in his or her present course. The position that PiMSs are ripe mediators of psychological transformation, whether towards pathology or away from it, could be viewed as unjustly dismissive or neglectful of the important contribution made by factors such as polygenic predisposition (Davis et al, 2016) and early life adversity (Szyf, 2013; Varese et al, 2012b) in shaping mental health Such apparent neglect is not intentional, and we consider the highlighted factors part of the overall contextual/relational frame shaping the onset and outcome of a PiMS, where context is a phenomenon that stretches over a broad timescale (Figure 2). In keeping with the so-called ‘plastic paradox’ (Doidge, 2007), in the same way that states of hyper-plasticity can aid unlearning in the service of new perspectives and behaviour, they can serve to reinforce old beliefs and biases if the relevant entraining conditions exist
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