On the wings of Icarus - the need for transcendence in addictive diseases.
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1563871 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Greek mythology Attachment Emotion regulation Narcissism Oceanic feelings Spirituality Transcendence |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key points | Argues that addiction is a distorted attempt at transcendence that undermines genuine fulfillment, and that spirituality is pivotal in recovery. |
Abstract
This essay employs the Icarus myth as a metaphor to examine the role of transcendence in addiction. Icarus' disregard for boundaries, driven by his quest for transcendence, mirrors the behavior of individuals with addictive tendencies. Addiction, a chronic disorder marked by compulsive substance use or behaviors, is characterized by loss of control, tolerance, withdrawal, and life disruptions. Furthermore it is linked to traits such as impulsivity and sensation-seeking. Transcendence, the pursuit of experiences beyond ordinary limits, often manifests in addiction as a distorted attempt to address spiritual or existential voids. While practices like meditation can facilitate healthy transcendence (e.g., by influencing the periaqueductal grey activity), addiction provides only fleeting euphoria, perpetuating dependency. Sigmund Freud's concept of "oceanic feelings" (discussed in correspondence with Romain Rolland) and Abraham Maslow's notion of "peak experiences" parallel the addict's pursuit of unity and self-actualization. However, addiction undermines genuine fulfillment and growth. Spirituality emerges as a pivotal factor in both the development and recovery of addiction, offering reconnection to meaning, purpose, and a higher power. Neuroscientific insights suggest ancient brain regions, such as the Periaqueductal Grey, may underlie the human drive for transcendence. Drawing on Jungian psychology, the essay highlights spirituality's role in addressing existential crises and guiding recovery, echoing Jung's "Spiritus contra Spiritum" as a principle for overcoming addiction. In conclusion, the essay advocates for a balanced approach in addiction therapy, harmonizing the innate human desire for transcendence with sustainable personal growth, and avoiding the extremes symbolized by Icarus' fatal pursuit.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelics as Medicines: An Emerging New Paradigm General population | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Restructuring reward processing with Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement: novel therapeutic mechanisms to remediate hedonic dysregulation in addiction, stress, and pain. | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Ayahuasca’s entwined efficacy: An ethnographic study of ritual healing from ‘addiction’ | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Hypotheses Regarding the Mechanisms of Ayahuasca in the Treatment of Addictions | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Biosynthesis of an Anti-Addiction Agent from the Iboga Plant. | 2019 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 4
- Spiritual experiences are related to engagement of a ventral frontotemporal functional brain network: Implications for prevention and treatment of behavioral and substance addictions Journal of Behavioral Addictions December 1, 2019
- Is there an affective neuroscience of spirituality? The development and validation of the OCEANic feelings scale Frontiers in Human Neuroscience January 17, 2024
- Self-transcendence through the lens of ontological addiction: correlates of prosociality, competitiveness and pro-nature behavior Current Psychology September 1, 2024
- The Affective Core of the Self: A Neuro-Archetypical Perspective on the Foundations of Human (and Animal) Subjectivity. Frontiers in Psychology September 1, 2017