Peak experiences and their varieties (PEV) among 14 crew members of a historical sailing vessel during a 38-day Indian Ocean crossing were examined through qualitative interviews. The experiences were a mixture of previously described varieties, operating at three levels: action, feeling, and reflection, involving an interplay between specific challenges and responses. The authors emphasize the participant's response to PEV as a crucial component and suggest that PEV can serve as a private model for future life participation. Limitations include a small sample, language bias, and the researcher's participation in the voyage.
Practicing neo-shamans in the Czech Republic gradually shift how they categorize experiences along the fantasy-reality spectrum. Novices initially regard shamanic journeys as fantasies, but with sustained practice these come to be perceived as real. Concurrently, everyday events take on symbolic meaning, becoming viewed primarily as signs. Over time, spiritual engagement becomes interwoven with mundane reality, potentially exerting significant influence on daily life.
Slovak users of psychedelics employ English-derived terms such as 'bad trip', 'set and setting', and 'sitter' with shared, well-understood meanings. Inadequate preparation and an inappropriate set and setting are linked to negative experiences like bad trips, which can lead to difficult integration or psychotic disorders. Users report harm reduction strategies consistent with the literature.