Do entheogen-induced mystical experiences boost the immune system?

[dreamer042]

Daily events that boost the immune system (as indicated by levels of salivary immunoglobulin A), some instances of spontaneous remission, and mystical experiences seem to share a similar cluster of thoughts, feelings, moods, perceptions, and behaviors. Entheogens – psychedelic drugs used in a religious context – can also produce mystical experiences (peak experiences, states of unitive consciousness, intense primary religious experiences) with the same cluster of effects. When this happens, is it also possible that such entheogen-induced mystical experiences strengthen the immune system? Might spontaneous remissions occur more frequently under such conditions? This article advances the so called “Emxis hypothesis” – that entheogen-induced mystical experiences influence the immune system.

http://www.ayahuascacommunity.com/do-entheogen-induced-mystical-experiences-boost-the-immune-system-psychedelics-peak-experiences-and-wellness/

 

[adam]

Fascinating article. This is some research I would love to see happen. In my own experience as someone who has an autoimmune disease I have to say I agree with the hypothesis. After I have "mystical" experiences I feel physically better. I would love to see if this type of research could establish some sort of dosing schedule based on particular illnesses. It would be nice to understand the full impact of psychedelics on immune responses and when during the day/month/year is the optimal time to dose for a given individual or condition given the cycles we all go through internally.

 

[Keeper Trout]

At the risk of sounding mundane its possible that the noted "non-dose dependent" elevation in human growth hormone that persists for around a day after having such experiences (ie a drug effect) might be involved in bolstering the immune system?