McKenna Syndrome
The following is not a recognized disorder. The author, Josie Kins, describes it as "DSM fanfiction". It's here because the original was an image, which is inconvenient to look at on small device screens, and not searchable.
What is McKenna Syndrome?
By Josie Kins
Experiencing persistent, profound insights or compulsions to share complex, metaphysical ideas after repeated and prolonged psychedelic use may indicate McKenna Syndrome, a common condition triggered by the over-activation of the brain's neurological spirituality drive. This brief overview outlines the diagnostic criteria for identifying McKenna Syndrome, as outlined within the DSM 5-TR, aimed at individuals and healthcare professionals observing these specific patterns of behavior.
A. SYMPTOMS...
Presence of the following symptoms resulting from prolonged and regular use of psychedelic compounds, with symptoms lasting for at least two weeks:
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Compulsion to Contextualize: A persistent compulsion to formulate comprehensive, often metaphysical or spiritual, frameworks or contexts for one's life, including theories of everything.
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Conviction in Beliefs: An unshakeable conviction that these ideas, frameworks, and beliefs are true and intuitively understandable, coupled with an eagerness to adopt these frameworks as fundamental truths.
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Socially Inappropriate Evangelism: A compelling urge to share these ideas and frameworks with others, regardless of the social appropriateness or the receptiveness of the audience.
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Creativity and Dysfunction Spectrum: The individual exhibits a spectrum where, at lower intensity, remarkable creativity and insightfulness can be evident, However, at higher levels, significant dysfunction manifests, characterized by a detachment from conventional reality and an inability to moderate discussions of perceived universal truths in social contexts.
B. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
C. The symptoms are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition (e.g., a brain injury).
D. The condition must be differentiated from other mental disorders such as schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders not induced by substances, where delusions may occur outside the context of psychedelic use.
EXCLUSIONARY CRITERIA...
Schizophrenia or Other Psychotic Disorders: The presence of delusional thinking or hallucinations not related to the use of psychedelics.
Substance/Medication-Induced Psychotic Disorder: Where symptoms are directly attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or medication.
Delusional Disorder: Delusions not related to the comprehensive, often metaphysical or spiritual theories of everything characteristic of McKenna Syndrome.
Note: While there are no specific age restrictions for McKenna Syndrome, it predominantly affects adults due to its association with psychedelic substance use. The primary demographic includes individuals who use psychedelics and lack the ability to critically analyze the noetic epiphanies induced by such use.
How Does McKenna Syndrome Happen?
There are 3 reasons why McKenna Syndrome occurs:
• Neurological Spirituality Drive: Human beings possess an inherent neurological spirituality drive that compels them to contextualize their life within a larger framework, enhancing fulfillment and a sense of purpose.
• Psychedelic Activation: Psychedelics stimulate this drive to different extents proportional to usage and innate susceptibility. Excessive and prolonged use of psychedelics can overstimulate this drive.
• Critical Mass and Induction: When this stimulation reaches a critical mass due to excessive psychedelic use, it triggers the onset of McKenna Syndrome.
Symptom Management
Moderate Psychedelic Use: Slow down on psychedelic usage and consider taking a prolonged break to allow the neurological spirituality drive to reset to its natural baseline.
Social Discretion: Learn to "hide your power level." Evaluate the appropriateness of social situations before discussing profound insights or "the secrets of the universe."
Creative Channeling: Direct your compulsion for framework building into art and creative outlets. This provides a constructive avenue for expressing complex ideas and insights.
Critical Analysis: Challenge and critically analyze your belief systems from a rational standpoint. Questioning your insights helps in discerning their validity and getting closer to objective truth.
Study Epistemology and Rationality: Explore literature on navigating unusual mental states and unexpected experiences without jumping to hasty conclusions. Understanding established work in epistemology can provide a stronger foundation for your beliefs.