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Mystical Experiences Without Psychedelics and How Integration Improves Well-Being in Adults
Sponsor: Baylor University
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a guided, non-drug spiritual intervention can facilitate mystical-type experiences and improve well-being in Christian adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the guided spiritual intervention produce measurable mystical experiences? * Does participation in the intervention and assigned integration program lead to improvements in well-being over time? Researchers will compare a Christian-based integration program to a structured control integration program to determine whether Christian-based integration leads to greater improvements in well-being. Participants will: * Complete baseline questionnaires assessing spiritual experiences, religiosity, and well-being * Complete one in-person session of the "guided invocation for mystical experience" * Be randomly assigned to complete either a Christian-based or control integration program for 4 weeks * Complete follow-up assessments at 1 month and 2 months
Official title: Mystical Experiences Without Psychedelics: The Nature of Peak Spiritual Experiences and How Integration Leads to Human Flourishing
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
120
Start Date
2026-04
Completion Date
2027-08-01
Last Updated
2026-05-13
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Guided Invocation for Mystical Experience
Participants will complete a single, in-person Guided Invocation for Mystical Experience (GIME) session conducted by a trained practitioner using a standardized protocol. The session includes an initial briefing and rapport-building period, followed by a structured breathing exercise (approximately 8 minutes) designed to facilitate a non-ordinary state of consciousness. Participants then receive guided imagery and verbal suggestions intended to promote relaxation, absorption, and experiential openness. The practitioner delivers a standardized script targeting features commonly associated with mystical-type experiences (e.g., unity, positive affect, and altered perception of time and space). The session includes a brief period of silent introspection, followed by re-alerting procedures. The total session duration is approximately 60 minutes.
Locations (1)
Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory
Waco, Texas, United States