Kangaslampi discusses the need to study autobiographical memories that may emerge during trips.

Rationale Reports of resurfaced repressed memories during psychedelic experiences have circulated for decades and still emerge today. However, the veracity of repressed memories remains debated, and the mechanisms through which psychedelics might recover alleged repressed memories are unclear. Objectives This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of the literature on repressed memory in the context of psychedelics. It examined how repressed memory was defined, which substances were predominantly discussed, which mechanisms were proposed to explain their effects, and whether these mechanisms were empirically supported. Methods A scoping review was conducted in line with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were searched for relevant publications. Fifty-three sources met eligibility criteria. Data were charted on study design, psychedelic substance, definitions of repressed memory, results, and proposed mechanisms. Results Most publications focused on lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in relation to repressed memory. Few sources provided a definition of repressed memory. Proposed mechanisms on how psychedelics might influence repressed memory included psychoanalytical reductions of defensive memory blockades and neurobiological alterations of executive control. However, empirical support for these mechanisms was limited. Conclusions The included literature did not offer a coherent explanation on how psychedelics could recover repressed memories, nor consistent evidence that they did so reliably. Future work should provide clear definitions of repressed memory in the context of psychedelics, test proposed effects of psychedelics on memory and executive control across multiple psychedelic substances, include placebo-controlled designs, and account for the potential occurrence of false memories.

In their recent case report article, Peck and colleagues suggested that two patients recovered dissociated traumatic memories during psilocybin treatment for anorexia nervosa. These case reports are of clinical and scientific interest and confirm that psychedelics may induce vivid memory-like experiences. However, the reports warrant scrutiny. Here, based on what is known about recovered memories and the effects of psychedelics, we argue that the authors may not have adequately considered alternative explanations. The cases do not necessarily demonstrate that psilocybin induces recovery of dissociated traumatic memories or could treat dissociative amnesia. We further caution against the authors’ suggestion of explicitly preparing patients for the emergence of forgotten material.

Psychedelic Alpha’s Josh Hardman speaks with clinical psychologist and trauma researcher Dr. Samuli Kangaslampi about how psychedelics affect autobiographical memory. They discuss the historical…

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Rationale Anecdotal evidence suggests that psychedelic researchers often have personal experiences with psychedelic substances. While such experiences may benefit research, concerns have been raised a...

Kirjoituskutsu: uusi psykedeelitutkimuslehti Acta Psychedelica Meillä on ilo ilmoittaa, että olemme perustaneet uuden monitieteisen, psykedeelitutkimukseen keskittyneen tiedelehden. Acta Psychedelica ...

Rationale Since the earliest LSD research, psychedelics have been claimed to enhance autobiographical memory. Revisiting and processing autobiographical memories has further been suggested to be a maj...