From Self to World: How Psychedelics Rewire Our Sense of Connection

Have you ever felt truly connected—not just to the people around you, but to the natural world itself? That profound sense of belonging and unity that dissolves the boundaries between "me" and "everything else"? For many people, such experiences are rare and fleeting. But research suggests psychedelics might offer a unique pathway to these feelings of deep connection. Scientists have recently developed a fascinating conceptual framework that helps explain how psychedelics increase our feelings of connection to others and nature. This framework doesn't just satisfy scientific curiosity—it could have profound implications for mental health treatment and even our relationship with the environment.

The Disconnection Crisis

Before diving into how psychedelics foster connection, it's worth understanding why connection matters in the first place. We're living through what some researchers call a "crisis of disconnection." Despite our hyper-connected digital lives, many people report feeling increasingly isolated from others. At the same time, urbanization and technology use have created a growing gap between humans and the natural world. This disconnection isn't just a philosophical concern—it has real consequences. Psychological or social disconnection has been linked to depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar personality disorder, and eating disorders. Meanwhile, our disconnection from nature correlates with both poor mental health and environmental destruction. "There appears to be a growing disconnection between humans and their natural environments which has been linked to poor mental health and ecological destruction," note researchers from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

The Journey from Egoism to Ecoism

The research team behind the conceptual framework conducted a fascinating study tracking people before and after psychedelic experiences. They found that nature relatedness—our subjective sense of connection with the natural world—significantly increased two weeks, four weeks, and even two years after psychedelic experiences. But how exactly do psychedelics create this shift? The researchers describe it as a journey from "egoism" to "ecoism"—from a self-centered perspective to one that recognizes our place within larger ecological systems. This shift happens through several interconnected mechanisms:

1. Dissolving the Boundaries of Self

Psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and DMT often produce what researchers call "ego dissolution"—a temporary breakdown of the psychological boundaries that separate our sense of self from everything else. "When the rigid boundaries of the self soften," explains one psychedelic researcher, "people often report feeling connected to things they previously perceived as separate or 'other'—whether that's other people, animals, plants, or even inanimate aspects of nature. "This isn't just subjective experience—brain imaging studies show that psychedelics reduce activity in brain networks associated with our sense of self, while increasing communication between brain regions that normally don't talk to each other.

2. Opening the Door to Emotional Connection

Psychedelics also appear to enhance emotional responsiveness and empathy. Many people report feeling more open, vulnerable, and emotionally receptive during and after psychedelic experiences. This emotional opening creates fertile ground for forming connections. When we're emotionally available, we're more likely to feel compassion for others and appreciation for the natural world. Many people describe feeling profound love for humanity and nature during psychedelic experiences—feelings that can persist long after the acute effects wear off.

3. Shifting Values and Perspectives

Perhaps most importantly, psychedelics often trigger profound shifts in how people see themselves in relation to the world. Many report a move away from materialistic, individualistic values toward more collective, ecological perspectives. "After my experience," one study participant reported, "I couldn't see myself as separate from nature anymore. It wasn't an intellectual realization—I felt it in my body. I am nature, just as much as the trees and birds. "These perspective shifts can translate into behavioral changes. Research shows that increased nature relatedness strongly predicts pro-environmental awareness, attitudes, and behavior—outperforming all other variables tested as a single construct.

The Setting Matters: Context and Connection

Interestingly, the study found that the connection-enhancing effects of psychedelics aren't guaranteed. They depend significantly on two factors:

1. The depth of ego dissolution experienced during the psychedelic state
2. The perceived influence of natural surroundings during the experience

This second point highlights something psychedelic researchers have long emphasized: set and setting matter enormously. The physical environment where someone has a psychedelic experience shapes the nature and outcomes of that experience. "When psychedelic experiences occur in natural settings," notes one researcher, "the connection-enhancing effects appear to be amplified. There seems to be a synergistic relationship between psychedelics and nature exposure. "This finding has important implications for how psychedelic therapy sessions might be structured. While most current clinical trials take place in controlled indoor environments, future approaches might incorporate elements of nature—whether through actual outdoor settings, nature imagery, or even virtual reality natural environments.

Beyond Individual Healing: Ecological Implications

While much psychedelic research focuses on individual mental health benefits, the connection framework suggests broader implications. By fostering nature relatedness, psychedelics might contribute to addressing our collective ecological crisis. Research consistently shows that nature relatedness correlates with pro-environmental behavior. People who feel connected to nature are more likely to make lifestyle choices that protect the environment—from reducing consumption to supporting conservation efforts. This connection between psychedelics and ecological awareness isn't new. The rise of psychedelic use in Western culture during the 1960s coincided with the growth of environmental movements, leading some historians to suggest that psychedelic experiences contributed to the emergence of modern ecological consciousness.

The Science Behind the Experience

For those curious about the biological mechanisms, psychedelics primarily work by activating serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptors in the brain. These receptors are highly abundant throughout the neocortex, especially in high-level association regions that integrate information from different brain systems. By temporarily disrupting normal brain activity patterns, psychedelics appear to create a more flexible, integrated state of consciousness—one where rigid thinking patterns can be reconsidered and new connections can form. "Psychedelics seem to increase the brain's neuroplasticity—its ability to form new neural connections and adapt," explains one neuroscientist. "This biological flexibility may underlie the psychological flexibility that allows for new perspectives on oneself and one's relationship to the world."

From Research to Real Life

What does all this mean for someone considering psychedelic therapy? First, it's important to note that while this research is promising, psychedelics aren't without risks. They remain illegal in many jurisdictions, and unsupervised use carries significant psychological and legal risks. However, for those with access to legal psychedelic therapy—whether through clinical trials, religious exemptions, or in regions where certain psychedelics have been decriminalized—this research offers valuable insights:

1. Natural settings may enhance benefits: If possible within legal and safety parameters, having psychedelic experiences in natural environments might amplify connection-related outcomes.
2. Integration matters: The lasting benefits of increased connection depend on how insights are integrated into daily life. Practices like nature exposure, meditation, and community engagement can help sustain and deepen the sense of connection.
3. Connection is healing: For those seeking psychedelic therapy primarily for mental health concerns, understanding that enhanced connection may be a key mechanism can help frame and integrate the experience.

A New Framework for Healing and Belonging

The conceptual framework linking psychedelics to increased connection offers a powerful lens for understanding both the therapeutic potential of these substances and their broader cultural significance. In a world where disconnection contributes to both individual suffering and collective crises, tools that reliably enhance our sense of connection—to ourselves, to others, and to the natural world—hold profound promise. As one researcher puts it: "Connectedness, in a broad sense, is considered a key mediator of psychological well-being and a factor associated with the recovery of mental health. "By illuminating the pathways from egoism to ecoism, this framework doesn't just help explain how psychedelics work—it points toward a more connected, compassionate way of being in the world.*This article is based on research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health examining how psychedelics increase nature relatedness. 

Source: PMC