Revelatory Mechanisms

Psychedelics, Expanded Sensory Perception and Seeing the Web of Existence

Hello everyone.

I’m publishing this on Thanksgiving morning, the rain is coming down, but it’s cozy and the family is puttering. I’m inviting you, if you have some time while driving to your harvest feast or while cooking, or whatever you are doing to prepare, to listen to this conversation with Chief Phillip Scott of the Lakota. He speaks so sweetly and eloquently about making a conscious movement in the self to correct the story of Thanksgiving, to tune into indigenous wisdom, and to make our collective day off one of deep appreciation for the beauty and the web of life. I am incredibly grateful for your loving presence in my life, and for your interest in these ideas of living awake and in wonder. I am also grateful for the immense pharmacopeia available to wipe the lens of the the illusion of separation. '

Today’s MTA excerpt is on the known science of how Psychedelics work to give us a direct and disctinct experience of the web of life, and how they often change how we relate to the world, and to each other. Love, Christine

Psychedelics are often described as tools for transformation, insight, and connection. Among their many profound effects, one of the most striking is their ability to expand sensory perception. They offer an experience where the ordinary becomes extraordinary—colors appear vibrant, sounds resonate deeply, and the interconnectedness of all things comes into sharp focus. But how do they achieve this? Let’s explore the mechanisms behind these experiences and what they reveal about the nature of reality. Beyond simply enhancing what is already perceived, psychedelics can blur the boundaries between senses: a person might “see” music as swirling colors or “taste” a feeling of joy. This heightened sensory awareness provides a profound reminder of how much beauty and depth exist in our everyday experiences but are often filtered out by the brain’s normal functioning.

Psychedelics work in multiple ways.

First, they essentially "tune" the brain to receive more input than usual, making the subtle details of the world stand out At the core of the psychedelic experience is their interaction with the brain’s serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor. These receptors are concentrated in regions responsible for sensory processing, such as the visual cortex, which helps explain the vivid and often kaleidoscopic visuals reported during a psychedelic journey.

Second, the Default Mode Network quiets down. The default mode network (DMN) is the brain's control center for self-referential thinking, habit formation, and sensory filtering. It helps us focus by filtering out extraneous sensory information. Psychedelics allow a flood of sensory input to reach our awareness. This reduction in filtering can make the mundane seem miraculous and reveal the rich tapestry of interconnected details often overlooked.

Third, Psychedelics enhance global connectivity in the brain, linking regions that don’t normally communicate. This creates a kind of neural "cross-talk," allowing for the blending of sensory modalities and the emergence of novel perceptions. For example, the auditory and visual systems may interact more directly, creating the impression of “seeing” music or “hearing” light.

Fourth, psychedelics promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections and adapt to new information. This heightened plasticity can make it easier to notice patterns, relationships, and subtle changes in sensory input. For example, a person might see the fractal geometry in a leaf or feel the emotional tone of a song more vividly.

And then there is the dissolution of time: another way psychedelics enhance sensory perception is by disrupting the brain’s timekeeping mechanisms. Moments can feel stretched or timeless, giving more space to fully immerse oneself in sensory experiences. A simple act like observing a flower can feel endlessly profound when not constrained by the usual sense of time’s passing.

The immense impact of these changes it that the interconnectedness of all things, often a mental construct, becomes a felt and witnessed sense. Many users describe seeing a literal or metaphorical web—a shimmering network of energy that connects people, nature, and the cosmos. Mycelial networks beneath the soil, the energetic exchange between beings, and even the vibrations of spoken words seem to become tangible.

Psychedelics don’t create this interconnectedness; they simply let us perceive what has always been there. By expanding sensory awareness, they peel back the filters and reveal a reality where the boundaries between self and other dissolve, and the unity of existence becomes palpable. It reawakens our connection to the world around us. When we perceive the intricate beauty and interdependence of all things, we’re reminded of our place in the larger web of life. This realization often leads to feelings of awe, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to caring for the Earth and each other.

We are given a reference point that follows us—a beauty we begin to perceive even without them, once the web has been made visible, it stays with us.