The role of alcohol in expectancy-driven mystical experiences: a pre-registered field study using placebo brain stimulation

In a field study at a Dutch festival, 193 participants were led to believe a placebo brain stimulation device (the God Helmet) could induce mystical experiences. Participants reported a range of extraordinary experiences, including out-of-body sensations, involuntary movements, and sensing invisible beings. Self-identified spiritualism predicted these experiences, but neither objective nor subjective alcohol intoxication increased susceptibility to the suggestion. The authors discuss methodological limitations that may explain the lack of an alcohol effect and explore the God Helmet's usefulness for studying extraordinary experiences.

Study at a glance

Abstract

We explored the effects of alcohol on expectancy-driven mystical and quasi-mystical experiences by manipulating participants’ expectations. By using the so-called God Helmet suggestion, participants were led to believe that a placebo brain stimulation could elicit mystical experiences. In this pre-registered field study, we set out to test whether alcohol could increase participants’ susceptibility to the God Helmet suggestion in a large sample (N = 193) at a Dutch festival. Participants reported a wide range of extraordinary experiences associated with mysticism, including out-of-body experiences, involuntary movements, and the felt presence of invisible beings. Regression analyses revealed that self-identified spiritualism predicted extraordinary experiences, but neither objective nor subjective measures of alcohol intoxication increased participants’ susceptibility to the God Helmet. Methodological limitations that may explain the lack of an effect for alcohol are discussed, while we explore the usefulness of the God Helmet in the study of extraordinary experiences.