Finding Your True Self: How Psychedelics Can Enhance Self-Connection

Posted: May 27, 2025

Have you ever felt like you're going through the motions of life without truly knowing yourself? Like there's a deeper version of you hiding beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered? You're not alone. In our fast-paced world, many of us struggle to maintain a genuine connection with ourselves. As interest in alternative approaches to mental wellness grows, psychedelic therapy has emerged as a fascinating frontier. Research suggests these substances might offer more than just colorful experiences—they may help us forge stronger bonds with our authentic selves.

What Does It Mean to Be Connected to Yourself?

Self-connection isn't just a new-age buzzword. It's about having a clear understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and values. When you're connected to yourself, you recognize your needs and honor your boundaries. You make decisions that align with your true nature rather than simply reacting to external pressures. Think of self-connection as having a friendly conversation with yourself. You're both the speaker and the listener, sharing insights and receiving them with compassion. This internal dialogue helps you navigate life's challenges with greater wisdom and resilience. Unfortunately, modern life often pulls us away from this connection. We're bombarded with notifications, deadlines, and social media comparisons. We become so focused on how others perceive us that we lose sight of how we perceive ourselves. The constant noise drowns out our inner voice, leaving us feeling empty and directionless. Reconnecting with yourself isn't a luxury—it's essential for mental health. Research shows that people with stronger self-connection tend to experience less anxiety and depression. They're more resilient in the face of stress and more satisfied with their lives overall.

The Science of Psychedelics and Self-Connection

A groundbreaking study published in PLOS ONE in April 2025 sheds light on how psychedelics might enhance our relationship with ourselves. Researchers Christian Rominger and Carolina Subow found that people who had used psychedelic drugs showed a higher sense of connectedness—not just to others and the world, but specifically to themselves (Rominger & Subow, 2025).The study involved 326 participants, including 187 who had used psychedelics and 139 who hadn't. Those with psychedelic experience demonstrated greater creative potential and reported feeling more connected to their authentic selves. Interestingly, this enhanced self-connection partially explained why psychedelic users showed more originality in their thinking. But how exactly do psychedelics foster this deeper self-connection? The answer lies in how these substances affect our brain networks. Under normal conditions, our brain operates with certain default patterns—like well-worn paths in a forest. These patterns include our self-image, habitual thoughts, and ingrained beliefs about who we are. Psychedelics temporarily disrupt these patterns, creating what neuroscientists call a state of "increased entropy" in the brain. It's as if the forest paths become less defined, allowing us to wander in new directions. This disruption can help us step outside our usual self-narrative and see ourselves from fresh perspectives. Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, a leading researcher in psychedelic science, describes this as "pivotal mental states" where the mind becomes more flexible and open to change. During these states, we may access aspects of ourselves that were previously hidden or ignored, leading to profound insights about our true nature.

Benefits Beyond the Trip

The beauty of psychedelic-enhanced self-connection is that it doesn't disappear when the substance wears off. Many people report lasting improvements in their relationship with themselves after meaningful psychedelic experiences. Sarah (name changed), a 34-year-old teacher, described her experience: "Before my guided psilocybin session, I was constantly at war with myself—criticizing my choices, doubting my worth. During the experience, I felt this overwhelming compassion for myself. I saw how I'd been treating myself like an enemy rather than a friend. That shift in perspective has stayed with me for months. "Enhanced self-connection ripples outward, improving our relationships with others. When we understand and accept ourselves more fully, we bring greater authenticity to our interactions. We're less likely to project our insecurities onto others or seek external validation to fill internal voids. The PLOS ONE study supports this, showing that feelings of connectedness were associated with greater life satisfaction and positive emotions. Participants who felt more connected to themselves also reported more meaningful coincidences in their lives—moments of synchronicity that gave them a sense of purpose and belonging in the larger world. This aligns with other research suggesting that psychedelics can increase our sense of meaning and connection to something larger than ourselves. By strengthening our relationship with our authentic core, we may develop a deeper appreciation for how we fit into the broader tapestry of life.

Psychedelic Therapy in Practice

So what does a therapeutic session focused on self-connection actually look like? While approaches vary, most follow a similar structure designed to maximize safety and benefit. Before the experience, participants typically meet with trained guides or therapists for preparation sessions. These meetings help clarify intentions and build trust. Many people set specific intentions around reconnecting with aspects of themselves they feel disconnected from. During the experience itself, participants recline in a comfortable setting, often wearing eyeshades and listening to carefully selected music. This minimizes external distractions, allowing them to focus inward. Trained facilitators remain present throughout, providing support if challenging emotions arise. The journey itself varies widely from person to person. Some describe meeting younger versions of themselves and offering the compassion they needed but didn't receive. Others report dissolving boundaries between different parts of themselves, experiencing a sense of wholeness and integration. Michael, a 42-year-old accountant who participated in a clinical trial, shared: "I realized I'd been suppressing my creative side for decades. During my session, I felt this rush of joy when I reconnected with the part of me that loves to create. It wasn't just an idea—it was a physical sensation of coming home to myself. "After the acute effects subside, integration becomes crucial. Through journaling, creative expression, and follow-up therapy sessions, participants work to incorporate their insights into daily life. Many adopt practices like meditation or time in nature to maintain their newfound self-connection.

Considerations and Cautions

While the potential benefits are compelling, psychedelic therapy isn't right for everyone. People with certain psychiatric conditions, particularly psychosis or bipolar disorder, may face increased risks. Family history of these conditions is also an important consideration. The context matters enormously. Underground or recreational use without proper screening, preparation, and support can lead to challenging experiences that reinforce disconnection rather than healing it. The therapeutic benefits emerge most consistently in structured settings with qualified guides. It's also worth noting that psychedelics aren't magic bullets. They can open doors to deeper self-connection, but walking through those doors requires ongoing commitment. Many practitioners describe psychedelics as catalysts that accelerate a process that still demands personal work. For those who aren't ready or able to explore psychedelic therapy, other pathways to self-connection exist. Mindfulness practices, somatic therapies, and expressive arts can all help strengthen your relationship with yourself. The key is finding approaches that help you quiet external noise and tune into your inner wisdom.

Finding Your Way Back to Yourself

The journey toward deeper self-connection is ultimately a personal one, whether or not it includes psychedelic experiences. What matters most is the intention to know yourself more fully and the commitment to showing up for that relationship. Consider these reflection questions as starting points:

When do you feel most connected to yourself? What conditions support that connection?
What parts of yourself feel hidden or neglected? How might you begin to acknowledge them?
What would change in your life if you maintained a stronger connection with your authentic self?

As research into psychedelics and self-connection continues to evolve, we're gaining valuable insights into how these substances might help us navigate the path home to ourselves. For those curious about this approach, resources like the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) provide evidence-based information about ongoing research and therapeutic applications. Remember that the goal isn't to discover a perfect self hidden beneath your flaws. It's to develop a relationship with all aspects of yourself—the light and the shadow, the certain and the questioning. In that complete embrace lies the true meaning of self-connection.

Disclaimer: Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy has not been approved by any regulatory agencies in the United States, and the safety and efficacy are still not formally established at the time of this writing.

References

Rominger, C., & Subow, C. (2025). Feel connected to create: Self-reported psychedelic drug users exhibit higher sense of connectedness and better divergent thinking skills compared to non-users. PLOS ONE, 20(4), e0320755. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320755

Carhart-Harris, R. L., & Friston, K. J. (2019). REBUS and the anarchic brain: Toward a unified model of the brain action of psychedelics. Pharmacological Reviews, 71(3), 316-344. https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.118.017160

Watts, R., Day, C., Krzanowski, J., Nutt, D., & Carhart-Harris, R. (2017). Patients' accounts of increased "connectedness" and "acceptance" after psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 57(5), 520-564. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167817709585

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. (2024). MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD: A promising approach to healing trauma. MAPS Bulletin, 34(1), 24-29. https://maps.org/news/bulletin/