African dramatic literature has consistently drawn on indigenous spiritual traditions to interrogate questions of identity, morality, and communal continuity. However, comparatively little attention has been paid to the relationship between sacred traditions, ancestral consciousness, and cultural memory in selected Niger Delta plays. This study examines the representation of sacred traditions...
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders and in many cases has been associated with increased levels of stress and difficulties in the emotional and cognitive regulation of individuals. Individuals with ADHD often show an increased sensitivity to stressful situations, which may negatively affect their concentration of attention,...
The study of consciousness has been a key focus in both Eastern contemplative traditions and modern science. Yogic texts such as the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā (HYP) describe psychophysiological states and experiential phenomena that resemble concepts in parapsychology and neuropsychology. This review aimed to develop a theoretical framework explaining how yogic practices influence consciousness,...
Background: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), or "Ecstasy," is a semi-synthetic stimulant and hallucinogen widely used recreationally. While known for producing euphoria, it is associated with severe medical complications including serotonin syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, and multi-organ failure. Although MDMA is known to cause various vascular and muscular lesions, deep venous thrombosis...
The present study explored perceptions towards the use of psychedelics. Existing literature suggests that psychedelics can be an effective alternative in the treatment of mental health conditions. However, negative perceptions are commonly expressed in online communities about the use of psychedelics in the mental health context. This controversy in perceptions and societal beliefs surrounding...
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental and behavioral disorder that develops from experiencing a traumatic event. A significant proportion of sexual assault survivors develop PTSD. Research indicates that 75% of sexual assault survivors meet the criteria for PTSD one month after the assault. PTSD treatment combines psychotherapy, medication, hypnosis, meditation, and emerging...
The present study investigated the impact of daily meditation on sense of self. There is extensive research regarding the physical and mental health benefits that meditation can bring about, yet literature is still limited on the influence this has on an individual’s sense of self. The aims of the current study were to contribute to the existing body of research on meditation and the self and...
Bipolar Disorder (BD), formerly manic-depressive illness or manic depression, is a lifelong mood disorder and mental health condition that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns, and behavior. These shifts can last for hours, days, weeks, or months, interrupting the ability to carry out daily tasks. The condition is manageable with medications, talk therapy, lifestyle...
This paper explores the healing power of metaphor in indigenous shamanism and contemporary poetry. It explores how metaphor bridges the landscape, communicates emotions, and advances healing across cultures and languages. Analyzing specific examples from diverse shamanic traditions and contemporary poems reveals shared themes and unique approaches to metaphorical usage. The paper presents...
This study compares the critical neural correlates of two altered states of consciousness: near-death experience (NDE) and spiritual contemplative experience (SCE), a.k.a. mystical experience. For Centuries NDE and SCE have been reported by all faiths, including Abrahamic religious contemplatives: Christian mystics, Muslim Sufis, and Jewish Kabbalists. Their anecdotal reports show that both NDE...
We recently recorded, processed, and published brain activity by quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) and quantitative electroencephalography (QEEGt), comparing separate subjects remembering their near-death experience (NDE) and mystical experience. Our studies refer to a mystical experience as a spiritual contemplative experience (SCE). We found neural and Greyson Scale (GS) correlations...
The definition of consciousness and its essential characterizations, has been known over the centuries different interpretations, with different approaches and points of view, philosophical, neurological, psychological, biological and quantum. Since none of the successive interpretations in previous years it is still satisfactory and conclusive, the research continues towards more daring and...
Introduction: Ayahuasca is a traditional psychoactive tea of Amazonian indigenous, used medicinal and spiritual purposes. Wide variation in the concentration of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), Harmaline (HRL), Harmine (HRM) and Tetrahydroharmine (THH) alkaloids in Ayahuasca has been reported worldwide. Objective: To evaluate the causes of variations in alkaloids concentrations of Ayahuasca...