The Nature of the Animal Soul and Possibility of Transformation: An Integrated Approach to Addiction-Related Illness
American Journal of Medical and Clinical Research & Reviews 2025 DOI: 10.58372/2835-6276.1291 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction |
| Key points | Argues that a multilevel healing model addressing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions provides the most comprehensive foundation for treating addiction-related physical illness, acknowledging biological constraints while embracing neuroplasticity and transformative change. |
Abstract
This article examines the question of whether living beings possess an innate, unchangeable nature or have the capacity for fundamental transformation—a question with profound implications for treating addiction-related physical illness. By integrating diverse perspectives from religious and philosophical traditions, mystical thought, modern neuroscience, genetics, and clinical approaches to addiction, this paper develops a comprehensive framework for understanding both the constraints and possibilities for transformation in the context of addiction recovery. The analysis synthesizes insights from Kabbalistic mysticism, Hasidism and Mussar traditions, Simone Weil's philosophy, Thomas Aquinas's theological framework, Eastern contemplative approaches, Twelve-Step recovery principles, modern neuroscience, epigenetics, and trauma-informed healing perspectives. This integrated approach suggests that a multilevel healing model addressing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions offers the most comprehensive foundation for treating physical illnesses related to addiction—one that acknowledges the reality of biological constraints while embracing the remarkable capacity for neuroplasticity and transformative change.
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
Cites 4
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- Brief meditation training induces smoking reduction. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences August 20, 2013
- Craving to quit: psychological models and neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness training as treatment for addictions. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors May 28, 2012