Mystical Experience in the Lab
Marc Malmdorf Andersen, Uffe Schjoedt, Kristoffer Laigaard Nielbo, Jesper Sørensen
Method & Theory in the Study of Religion September 4, 2014 DOI: 10.1163/15700682-12341323 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Duration | Three-month follow-up |
| Topics | Mysticism Mystical experience |
| Keywords | Attribution Epistemology Cognitive psychology Theology |
| Citations | 73 |
| Key findings | An experimental paradigm can elicit mystical experiences in the laboratory that participants report as authentic and having lasting effects. |
Abstract
We review previous attempts to study mystical experience and point to problems inherent to certain methodologies. Focusing on studies that use controlled environments we advocate taking an experimental approach to mysticism. To demonstrate the viability of this approach, we report findings from a new study that probes the potential for eliciting mystical experiences in the laboratory. We find that our experimental paradigm is indeed enough to elicit mystical experiences. Based on subjective ratings of experience, rich descriptions from interviews, and data obtained three months after the study, our data indicate that the experiences reported by the participants had a high degree of authenticity and had lasting effects in terms of memory and attribution. These findings demonstrate that at least some forms of mystical experience can be studied in a controlled environment. Prospects and limitations for the experimental approach to mysticism are discussed.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on mystical experience, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 20
- Absorption and spiritual experience: A review of evidence and potential mechanisms. Consciousness and Cognition August 1, 2019
- Mystical and Other Alterations in Sense of Self: An Expanded Framework for Studying Nonordinary Experiences Perspectives on Psychological Science February 13, 2020
- Neural correlates of mystical experience Neuropsychologia November 26, 2015
- Moving Past Mysticism in Psychedelic Science ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science May 4, 2021
- Experience as event: event cognition and the study of (religious) experiences Religion, Brain & Behavior June 9, 2016
and 15 more in the library
Cites 13
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects. Psychopharmacology December 1, 2011
- Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness Journal of Psychopharmacology September 28, 2011
- Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later Journal of Psychopharmacology May 30, 2008
- Factor Analysis of the Mystical Experience Questionnaire: A Study of Experiences Occasioned by the Hallucinogen Psilocybin Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion December 1, 2012
and 8 more in the library