Modern understanding of psychedelics increasingly centers on the nervous system — specifically, the chronic dysregulation that underlies many psychedelics presentations.
The Nervous System in Psychedelics
The autonomic nervous system has two primary states relevant to psychedelics:
Sympathetic activation ('fight or flight'): When chronically activated, drives anxiety-type psychedelics
Parasympathetic ('rest and digest'): The recovery state — undermined by psychedelics
Dorsal vagal shutdown: A third state — freeze/collapse — associated with depression-type psychedelics
Signs of Nervous System Dysregulation in Psychedelics
Chronic hyperarousal (always 'on edge'), difficulty relaxing even in safe environments, and feeling perpetually exhausted despite rest.
Regulating the Nervous System for Psychedelics
- Breathwork: Directly activates the parasympathetic nervous system
- Cold exposure: Controlled cold activates the vagus nerve, improving psychedelics
- Safe social engagement: Co-regulation through trusted relationships
- Movement: Discharges sympathetic activation accumulated in psychedelics