Mystical Experiences Without Psychedelics and How Integration Improves Well-Being in Adults

Part of paid clinical trials in Waco, Texas.

Sponsor
Baylor University
Study ID
NCT07584070
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Healthy Adult Participants

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Guided Invocation for Mystical Experience — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants will complete a single, in-person Guided Invocation for Mystical Experience (GIME) session conducted by a trained practitioner using a standardized protocol. The session includes an initial briefing and rapport-building period, followed by a structured breathing exercise (approximately 8 minutes) designed to facilitate a non-ordinary state of consciousness. Participants then receive guided imagery and verbal suggestions intended to promote relaxation, absorption, and experiential openness. The practitioner delivers a standardized script targeting features commonly associated with mystical-type experiences (e.g., unity, positive affect, and altered perception of time and space). The session includes a brief period of silent introspection, followed by re-alerting procedures. The total session duration is approximately 60 minutes.

Study Details

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

Key Dates

Start date
Apr 30, 2026
Status verified
May 2026
Primary completion
Apr 30, 2027
Completion
Aug 1, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
120 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Arms

  • Experimental: Structured Christian Integration
    Participants assigned to the structured Christian integration condition will engage in a 4-week, integration program designed to facilitate reflection on and incorporation of their peak spiritual experience into their existing religious framework. The intervention includes four modules with psychoeducational materials, structured activities grounded in Christian teachings, and weekly phone calls with the interventionist. Participants will use a toolkit with weekly writing prompts and recorded audio sessions (14-22 minutes) focused on themes such as revisiting and reflection, awareness and nature, love and connection, and transformation. Participants will engage with materials regularly (e.g., audio sessions at least four times per week) and submit written responses at the end of each module. The program is standardized and designed to support ongoing cognitive and emotional processing and integration into daily life and religious practice.
  • Active Comparator: Structured Control Integration
    Participants assigned to the structured control integration condition will engage in a 4-week, self-guided program designed to match the structure, duration, and level of engagement of the Christian integration condition. The intervention includes four modules with psychoeducational materials, structured poetry analysis without religious or spiritual content, and weekly phone calls with the interventionist. Participants will use a toolkit with weekly writing prompts and audio sessions focused on various analyses (e.g., content, structure, imagery, symbolism) of poetry. Participants will engage with materials regularly (e.g., audio sessions at least four times per week) and submit written responses at the end of each module. The program is standardized and designed as a structurally equivalent control condition and no specific benefit is anticipated.

Primary Outcome Measure

Frequency of a Complete Mystical Experience as Assessed by the Mystical Experience Questionnaire [ Time Frame: Immediately following the in-person guided invocation for mystical experience session ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Mind-Body Medicine Research LaboratoryWacoTexas76112
Gary Elkins, PhD
[email protected]
254-913-3026
Sarah Schnitker, PhD (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)
Devan Stahl, PhD (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)
Cameron Alldredge, PhD (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)
Erin Moniz, DMin (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)
Aaron Zimmerman, MDiv (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)

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