Can Spirituality and Religious Experience Derive from Psychosis?

Can spirituality and religious experiences arise from mental health conditions, such as psychosis? This question has fascinated researchers and scholars, particularly those studying the origins and impacts of religion. Some believe that religious experiences and practices are a form of institutionalized psychosis. Let's explore whether psychosis can indeed cause spiritual beliefs and experiences, and how this connection might shed light on the development of religious practices throughout human history.

Psychosis as a Potential Origin of Spirituality

Can Demons Cause Psychosis?

One viewpoint suggests that extreme emotions, prolonged psychological oppression, or oppressive situations can lead to a severe mental breakdown, potentially resulting in psychosis. The terms spirit entities and spirit realms are often associated with supernatural beliefs that fall outside of proven scientific reality. This perspective posits that when individuals are subjected to significant stress over a prolonged period, their minds and bodies may eventually break down, leading to a form of psychosis.

There are examples where individuals have experienced what was coined a “spiritual emergency” by Stan Grof and Stephanie Grof. This suggests that certain intense spiritual experiences might be manifestations of mental health issues rather than solely spiritual phenomena.

The Relationship Between Religion and Psychosis

Does Psychosis Lead to Religion?

Studies suggest that traditional religious practices and belief systems are more likely to emerge from psychological states rather than causing psychosis. A notable finding is that religious people tend to experience fewer mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, and are generally happier compared to non-religious individuals. Research into anxiety disorders, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has shown that, contrary to Freud's view, religion is associated with higher levels of conscientiousness but not with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. This indicates that while religion may encourage scrupulous behavior among practitioners, this behavior typically does not reach the extreme levels seen in full-blown obsessional neurosis.

Neurodiversity, Religion, and Mental Health

Consider the higher rates of neurodivergent traits, such as those found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), among people with spiritual experiences. There is a significant correlation between these traits and mental health issues like substance use and addictions. High levels of openness to experience, often associated with spirituality, might lead individuals to seek drugs or engage in self-harm as a form of coping with their heightened sensitivity to the world around them.

High conscientiousness, common in traditional religious practices, is linked to better mental health outcomes. However, this form of religiosity is often quite different from the experiences of prophets and religious visionaries, who are more likely to exhibit psychotic traits. For example, the figure of Rasputin, known for his psychological issues and intrigue, suggests that mental health struggles can be common among religious founders. The Axial Age, a period of significant religious and philosophical development, saw numerous prophets who often suffered from mental health issues, including schizophrenia, which typically manifests in the late teens to early twenties, a period similar to that of becoming a shaman.

Psychosis and the Evolution of Religion

The concept of an ancestral religious instinct is supported by the universal prevalence of religious experiences across human societies. During the Axial Age, after the turbulent Bronze Age, there was a surge in religious visions and prophets. These individuals can be seen as a continuation of hunter-gatherer shamanic traditions, combining healing practices with spiritual leadership. The example of Jesus, a healer and religious leader, is often cited, though he is among only a few named prophets in the Quran, with thousands more known to have existed during this time.

A key point to consider is that prophets often experienced severe mental health challenges, ranging from depression to schizotypy, and even full-blown psychosis. Shamans, who attain their status in late adolescence or early adulthood, are at similar life stages when schizophrenia typically emerges. Their experiences often involve hearing voices and feeling tasked with divine missions, which, while potentially inspiring in historical contexts, would be considered signs of mental health issues today.

In terms of mental health and spirituality, there are numerous examples throughout history. For instance, Saint Paul and his apparent auditory hallucinations can be seen as instances of psychotic hallucinations. Similarly, Self-harm among spiritual seekers, as seen in the example of Ignatius of Loyola, and the reliance on drinking substances like wine, common among historical religious founders such as Rasputin, illustrate the complex relationship between spirituality, mental health, and socio-cultural practices.

Conclusion

The link between spirituality and psychosis is a complex and multifaceted one. While traditional religious practices provide stability and community for many, the emergence of religious experiences and leaders is often rooted in psychological struggles. Understanding this connection can help us better support individuals with mental health issues and appreciate the deeper holistic human experiences that drive both personal and societal growth.

Further Reading

To delve deeper into this topic, you may want to explore the following works:

The WEIRDest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous by Joseph Henrich (2020) Your author's new book, which expands on the connection between hunter-gatherer types and religious leaders.

By examining these sources and the broader spectrum of research, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between mental health and spiritual experiences throughout human history.