Hallucinatory Telepathic Experiences Induced by Salvia divinorum

Abstract

Scientific investigations of extrasensory perception are scarce despite the fact that anomalous paranormal experiences are common in psychiatric and general populations. This report investigated self-reported cases of telepathy-like experiences induced by smoking Salvia divinorum or by ingestion of LSD. Trip reports posted on a recreational drug website have been saved and analyzed for the presence of anomalous subjective effects. Telepathy-like experiences were reported both by subjects smoking S. divinorum and by subjects ingesting LSD, frequently in combination with other psychoactive substances such alcohol and marijuana. Descriptions of telepathy differed in the content and the audibility of the experience. Phenomenological differences suggest that telepathy-like experiences may have different etiology. The findings are discussed in relation to the activity of mirror neurons, empathy, hallucinations, and thought disorders. The paper also proposes a theoretical framework and a questionnaire designed to investigate the phenomenology of telepathic experiences. Keywords: Salvia divinorum—telepathy—thought disorders—insertion—empathy—broadcasting—mindreading—empathy—mirror neurons—LSD