Religious Ecstasy and Other Intense Emotions
Religion and Spirituality Across Cultures 2014 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-8950-9_17 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mystical experience MDMA |
| Keywords | Positive psychology General social survey Intense emotion Unity thesis |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that ecstatic and mystical states, framed within Fisher's model of ergotropic and trophotropic arousal, can be facilitated by various procedures and contribute to human flourishing and a positive sense of the sacred. |
Abstract
Positive psychology and the psychology of religion share an interest in understanding positive emotions and their contribution to human flourishing. The focus of this chapter is upon ecstatic and mystical states framed within Fisher’s model of ergotropic and trophotropic arousal allowing for a neurophysiological correlate of two states of consciousness widely recognized in the psychology of religion that minimizes focus upon the ego in favor of union with a larger consciousness that may or may not be interpreted in religious terms. Whether ecstatic states based upon hyperarousal or mystical states base upon hypoarousal, the state of consciousness achieved by each means can be documented to be facilitated by a variety of procedures that when placed within a proper set and setting contributes to both human flourishing and a positive sense of the sacred.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Differences Between the Mechanism of Action of MDMA, MBDB, and the Classic Hallucinogens. Identification of a New Therapeutic Class: Entactogens | 1986 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Background and Chemistry of MDMA | 1986 | Historical analysis | |
| The origin of MDMA (ecstasy) revisited: the true story reconstructed from the original documents* Original documents in Merck's historical archive in Darmstadt, Germany, years 1900–1960 | 2006 | Historical analysis | |
| Distinct neural mechanisms for the prosocial and rewarding properties of MDMA | 2019 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How could MDMA (ecstasy) help anxiety disorders? A neurobiological rationale | 2009 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later Journal of Psychopharmacology May 30, 2008
- The antipodes Of the mind November 7, 2002
- The Problem of Pure Consciousness: Mysticism and Philosophy Philosophy East and West October 1, 1993
- The Physiology of Meditation and Mystical States of Consciousness Perspectives in biology and medicine March 1, 1976
and 4 more in the library