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CERCAP

Research Network

space

The Center for Research on Consciousness and Anomalous Psychology consists of a group of researchers and associates dedicated to the scientific study of unusual but not necessarily pathological experiences and events, including reputed parapsychological phenomena.

We endorse programmatic research using a plurality of methodologies, and are open to diverse perspectives in this area, as long as they are informed and respectful.

Our aim is to continue developing multidisciplinary, national, and international collaborations, and train undergraduate and graduate students in a supportive environment.

External website for CERCAP 

Projects

Testing a Taxonomy of Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness Using AI

The project will fund a doctoral student to validate through use of large language modeling (AI),  a classification of the phenomenology of altered states of consciousness formulated by 16 international experts (Cardeña et al. in press).
Period: 2026-2028
Funder: Tiny Blue Dot Foundation
Collaborators: Oscar Kjell, Katja Valli, Aviva Berkovich-Ohana, Steven Laureys, Michiel van Elk, David Yaden, Katrin Preller, Andrew Newberg.
Contact person (PI): Etzel Cardeña, etzel [dot] cardena [at] psy [dot] lu [dot] se (etzel[dot]cardena[at]psy[dot]lu[dot]se) 

Development and Validation of a Measure of Experiences of Spirit Interaction

This grant will integrate top-down (expert opinion) and bottom-up (large language modelling of self-reports) to create and later validate online a questionnaire of experiences of spirit communications/interactions.
Period: 2025-2027
Funder: Bial Foundation
Funding: 55,500 Euros
Collaborators: Matti Cervin, Alejandro Frigerio, Yvonne Schaffler, Hans van Eyghen, Alexander Moreira-Almeida
Contact person (PI): Etzel Cardeña, etzel [dot] cardena [at] psy [dot] lu [dot] se (etzel[dot]cardena[at]psy[dot]lu[dot]se).

Set, Setting and Entourage Effects on Psychedelic Experiences

We will test psychological and neural (EEG) predictors of positive or negative responses to "magic mushrooms" in authorized smartshops in Amsterdam.
Period: 2025-2027
Funder: Bial Foundation
Funding: 60,000 Euros
Collaborator: Michiel van Elk (P. I.)
Contact person (PI): Etzel Cardeña, etzel [dot] cardena [at] psy [dot] lu [dot] se (etzel[dot]cardena[at]psy[dot]lu[dot]se).

 

Participant Versus Independent Judging: An Empirical Evaluation of 2 Ganzfeld/Hypnosis Datasets

This project evaluates statistically the possibility of "leakage" of anomalous information in two controlled psi studies by having three independent judges compare the pool of 4 videoclips containing the target with another randomly selected pool of 4 other videoclips.

Period: 2022-2025
Funder: Society for Psychical Research
Funding: 6500 pounds
Collaborator: David Marcusson-Clavertz
Contact person (PI): Etzel Cardeña, etzel [dot] cardena [at] psy [dot] lu [dot] se (etzel[dot]cardena[at]psy[dot]lu[dot]se)

Contact CERCAP

Etzel Cardeña, Professor

email: etzel [dot] cardena [at] psy [dot] lu [dot] se (etzel[dot]cardena[at]psy[dot]lu[dot]se)

Last updated: 1 Oct 2025 | webb [at] psy [dot] lu [dot] se