| Popis: |
The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the impact of hallucinogenic psilocybin on religious-type emotionality related to ego disintegration. Psilocybin as a typical hallucinogen evokes alternations of visual perception (enhances a development of pseudo-hallucinations, phantom visual perception, or hypnagogic experiences). These visual phenomena may be inspiring and are claimed to enhance aesthetic appreciation. Additionally the hallucinogen induces transient impairment of cognitive functions and psychological regression comparable to the signs of ego blurring and dissociative phenomena. The psilocybin effects, initially euphoric, may become emotionally perceived as anxious and unpleasant. However, if religiously interpreted, the emotional experiences along with cognitive deficits may lead to the intuitive or culture-bound deduction of the idea of divine being. This property makes psilocybin applicable as an enhancer of mystical-type experiences and possibly helpful in religious indoctrination. Metaphoric language and declarative opposition to materialism actually disclose that religious groups and formal churches already have features of a corporation, in terms of sociology and economy; act in agreement with an ideological doctrine; and are driven by principles of economy. If implementation of any psychoactive substance to religious ceremonies is considered it should be taken into account that such business entities probably won't hesitate to harm by the use of hazardous practices involving the application of psychoactive compounds in combination with techniques of manipulation. Therefore the connection between the drug-induced experiences similar to schizophrenia-like psychosis and religious-type emotionality is emphasized in this chapter. |
