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
age 18 years or older;
active Christian faith;
willing to experience hypnosis;
English-speaking; able to complete one in-person session and 1- and 2-month follow-up assessments.
prior psychedelic use;
severe mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, borderline personality disorder);
unwillingness to experience hypnosis;
inability to complete study procedures
Baylor University
Lead sponsor
Templeton World Charity Foundation
Collaborator