Psych Update: Raves May Be A Path To Personal Transformation

Art: "Down The Rabbit Hole" By Third Eye Society

A new study published in Frontiers provides a revealing insight into the psychology of raves. The findings suggest that intense experiences fueled by psychoactive substances, vigorous dancing, and sleep deprivation are associated with personal transformation and social connectedness.

The researchers used online advertisements to recruit and survey 481 adults who had attended a rave in the past five years. The participants then answered a variety of questions about that particular rave. The survey questions were based on a novel model of ritual engagement dubbed the “4Ds” — dance, drumming, drugs, and sleep deprivation.

The 4D Model of Rave Engagement

The 4D model of rave engagement was developed by the team of researchers in order to better understand the rave experience. The model is based on the idea that there are four main elements that characterize a typical rave: dance, drumming, drugs, and sleep deprivation.

According to the model, these four elements work together to create an intense experience that can lead to personal transformation. The researchers found that scoring high on the 4D measures was associated with personally transformative experiences, and that awe mediated the relationship between the 4Ds and personal transformation.

In other words, it is not just the drugs, dance, and drumming that leads to personal transformation at a rave – it is also the sense of awe that those experiences generate.

The study's findings suggest that awe-inspiring experiences at raves – those fueled by psychoactive substances, vigorous dancing, intense rhythmic drums, and a lack of sleep – are associated with personal transformation and social connectedness. So if you're looking for an experience that will change your life, a rave just might be for you.

That's our psych news update for this week! 

Until next time.

-Third Eye Society

Credit: www.psypost.org

Link to the full article here