The role of alcohol in expectancy-driven mystical experiences: a pre-registered field study using placebo brain stimulation
David L. R. Maij, Michiel van Elk, Uffe Schjoedt
Religion Brain & Behavior December 22, 2017 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1080/2153599x.2017.1403952 via OpenAlex
Summary
Alcohol did not increase susceptibility to mystical experiences induced by the God Helmet suggestion in a study with 193 participants at a Dutch festival. While participants reported various extraordinary experiences, such as out-of-body sensations and involuntary movements, their level of alcohol intoxication did not correlate with these effects. Self-identified spiritualism was a predictor for extraordinary experiences, but the anticipated influence of alcohol was not observed.
Study at a glance
| Design | pre-registered field study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 193 |
| Population | participants at a Dutch festival |
| Key finding | Self-identified spiritualism predicted extraordinary experiences, but neither objective nor subjective measures of alcohol intoxication increased susceptibility to the God Helmet suggestion. |
Abstract
We explored the effects of alcohol on expectancy-driven mystical and quasi-mystical experiences by manipulating participants’ expectations. By using the so-called God Helmet suggestion, participants were led to believe that a placebo brain stimulation could elicit mystical experiences. In this pre-registered field study, we set out to test whether alcohol could increase participants’ susceptibility to the God Helmet suggestion in a large sample (N = 193) at a Dutch festival. Participants reported a wide range of extraordinary experiences associated with mysticism, including out-of-body experiences, involuntary movements, and the felt presence of invisible beings. Regression analyses revealed that self-identified spiritualism predicted extraordinary experiences, but neither objective nor subjective measures of alcohol intoxication increased participants’ susceptibility to the God Helmet. Methodological limitations that may explain the lack of an effect for alcohol are discussed, while we explore the usefulness of the God Helmet in the study of extraordinary experiences.