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09-01-2002, 06:28 PM | #1 |
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Low testosterone induced mystical experiences
This week (9/1/02) on the radio show <a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/pages/archive02.html#220" target="_blank"> This American Life</a>. The topic was on testosterone and its psychological effects. The first "episode" was about a man who had very low testosterone (some medical reason) and how it affected him. The interesting thing was that he described an experience similar to the Buddhist concept of enlightenment.
I know this is only anecdotal evidence, but is this effect known in the literature? If it is then is there a case for showing that the "disinterested oneness" described in eastern religions is just some chemical state rather than a form of knowledge? A confirmation would go a long way to explain why women seem more drawn to the new-age eastern stuff then men. Note: The real-audio is now posted [ September 06, 2002: Message edited by: AdamWho ]</p> |
09-01-2002, 07:51 PM | #2 |
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Mystical experiences can be induced in a variety of ways -- fasting, frenzied dancing, ...
"If you eat too little, you see heaven, while if you drink too much, you see snakes", as Bertrand Russell had commented to someone who had a taste for fasting so she could have visions. |
09-02-2002, 04:06 AM | #3 | |
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I don't know about testosterone levels, but a study has a different take on paranormal beliefs and body chemistry: <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99992589" target="_blank">Paranormal beliefs linked to brain chemistry</a>.
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09-02-2002, 11:00 AM | #4 |
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The mystical experiences were very particular; they included a complete lack of desire, a sense of oneness and a constant feeling that everything is beautiful.
The experiences described seem to perfectly matched with Budhists / New Age descriptions of enlightenment. |
09-02-2002, 01:23 PM | #5 |
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People with high levels of dopamine are more likely to find significance in coincidences, and pick out meaning and patterns where there are none.
I get that when I smoke dope and listen to Floyd. |
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