Effects of Meditation and Naturalistic Use of Psychedelics on Somatosensory Maps of Emotion

Abstract

The ability to recognise one’s own affective states and discriminate between them is key to emotional regulation and well-being (Kalokerinos et al. 2019). A novel somatic approach to studying emotion – somatosensory mapping, in which participants draw inside outlines of the body as to where they believe they experience emotions – suggests that different emotions correspond to specific, culturally similar patterns of bodily sensations (Nummenmaa et al., 2014). Importantly, distortions in these somatic drawings are linked to various psychological conditions. For example, people with schizophrenia display less differentiated emotional responses, shading more areas on the body maps compared to healthy individuals (Torregrossa et al., 2019). Similarly, people with depression showed reduced emotional intensity, as indicated by lower intensity of the drawings (Lyons et al., 2021). Even within healthy populations, differences in somatic maps of emotions have been found to correlate with personality factors, such as impulsivity and antisocial tendencies (Wainio-Theberge & Armory, 2023), underscoring the critical role of bodily emotional awareness in mental health and overall well-being. Both mediation and psychedelic use are known to enhance awareness of bodily sensations, which may contribute to their positive effects on mental health. Meditation practices, such as but not limited to mindfulness, cultivate focused awareness of internal bodily states, helping individuals recognise and accept emotional experiences (Hölzel et al., 2011). A growing body of research highlights the therapeutic potential of mindfulness-based interventions, not only for treating psychiatric disorders (Goldberg et al., 2018) but also for enhancing psychological well-being in healthy individuals (Carmody et al., 2008). Studies consistently show that meditation improves emotional regulation and fosters positive emotional states (Chambers et al., 2009; Guendelman et al., 2017; Teasdale et al., 2002), while also decreasing intensity of negative affect (Brown & Ryan, 2003; Chambers et al., 2008). By reducing reactivity to unpleasant emotions, such as anxiety or jealousy, meditation can promote greater acceptance of these feelings, healthier emotion regulation, and enhanced psychological resilience (Baer, 2003). Similarly, serotonergic psychedelics have been shown to enhance psychological well-being by increasing embodiment of emotion and fostering a sense of connection with the body (Watts et al., 2017; Perkins et al., 2022). Although individual responses can vary (Solaja et al., 2024), most evidence suggests that psychedelics, like meditation, reduce reactivity to negative emotions, and improve emotion processing (Barrett et al., 2020; Orlowski et al., 2024). Emerging research indicates that both practices may complement each other, with psychedelics potentially enhancing the positive effects of meditation (Griffiths et al., 2018; Singer et al., 2024; Smigielski et al., 2019). However, despite the growing interest in psychedelics and meditation, research on the combined effects of both practices on emotional regulation and embodiment remains limited. In particular, little is known about how these practices affect the bodily experience of emotions. To date, no studies have specifically explored the how these practices, individually or in combination, affect somatic experience of emotional states, despite its clear relevance to mental well-being. This study aims to fill this gap by using a validated experimental paradigm developed by Nummenmaa and colleagues (2014) to investigate how meditation and naturalistic psychedelic use influence somatic representations of emotions. Participants with varying levels of meditation and psychedelic experience will map the location and intensity of bodily sensations associated with six ‘basic’ emotions (anger, fear, disgust, happiness, sadness, and surprise), six social emotions (anxiety, love, contempt, pride, shame, jealousy), and a neutral state. We hypothesize that both meditation and psychedelics will alter the intensity of bodily sensations linked to emotions and increase the clarity with which emotions are experienced. Additionally, we will explore how factors such as interoceptive awareness, emotional reactivity, and individual differences in inner experience or semantic labeling influence these effects. By examining how meditation and naturalistic psychedelic use may jointly shape emotional embodiment, this research could advance our understanding of the nuanced relationship between these practices. The findings may inform the development of integrated therapeutic approaches that combine meditation and psychedelics to treat affective disorders.

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