Tending the Embodied Soul: Exploring the Integration of Psyche and Soma with the Support of Psilocybin

Abstract

This study explores the lived experiences of six women diagnosed with fibromyalgia before and after a treatment with psilocybin. Through a mixed-methods framework, which includes the analysis of qualitative narratives using the Listening Guide Method paired with quantitative assessment measures, this research demonstrates the potential of psilocybin to support significant improvements in experiences of chronic pain and fatigue, as well as mental and emotional well-being, and overall health. Highlights from the findings include reduced symptom severity, increases in self-compassion and connectedness, and enhanced psychological flexibility as reported by participants. Depth psychological analysis reveals archetypal imagery and symbolic communication as integral components of these therapeutic outcomes, emphasizing the expression of emotions as a bridge to supporting the integration of body and soul. This research expands into a new territory of psilocybin treatment and holds implications for clinical practice in the fields of depth psychology, psychoneuroimmunology, and pain medicine.