Discussion 1: Numerical Data
The data in this survey essentially replicates aspects of previous work on the effects of psychedelic drugs [1]. This data, when compared to the effects of awakened kundalini (see the Table: Effects of Kundalini), shows definite overlap between these two altered states of consciousness. Some of these effects occur with high frequency. For example, 75% +/-11% of respondents reported feelings of chills and vibrations. Within this subset, 49% directly reported that these chills or vibrations occurred on the back or along the spine, thus describing a prominent feature of the kundalini experience; chills and vibrations along the spine. In the theory of kundalini yoga such sensations are associated with the ascent of the kundalini through the chakra system (see the discussion about Kundalini for more details).
Other psychedelic drug effects corresponding to kundalini awakening reported with high frequency are the following: spontaneous laughter (70.9% +/- 11%), visual hallucinations (96.7% +/- 4%), alterations in emotions (80.3% +/- 10%), increased empathy (75.4% +/- 11%), alterations in thought processes (93.4% +/- 6%), changes in personal identity (60.6%+/- 12%), long term changes in personality (80.3% +/- 10%), and explicit spiritual experience (86.9% +/- 8%). The textual question responses revealed that changes in these categories closely resembled kundalini based experiences (see below).
When asked if the use of hallucinogens has made the person more or less spiritual or if the drug has not affected their spirituality, 71% of the people said 'more', with 26% saying the drug has not affected their spirituality. This question of course also relates the mystical aspects of psychedelic and kundalini experiences.
A number of other kundalini associated phenomena were reported by respondents with less frequency including: alterations in perception of body temperature, alterations in sexual desire, audio hallucinations, and synesthesia (mixing of senses). These factors were at or below the 50% frequency. Regarding synesthesia, what was reported most was that visual hallucinations seemed to follow or be induced by music to which the respondent was listening.
It is interesting to note that roughly 40% +/- 12% of respondents reported having an out-of-body experience (OBE) while on psychedelic drugs. This frequency surprised even the author, for OBEs are not usually associated with psychedelic drugs. Based on conversations with one respondent reporting psychedelic induced OBEs (p-OBEs), it is clear that these have a different nature from "regular" OBEs, the latter being associated with dreams and sleep [2]. The p-OBE appears to involve the complete absorption of the subject in the content of the visual imagery and is characterized by a relatively formless and ineffable set of experiences. This is in contrast to "regular" OBEs which are essentially lucid dreams and contain well defined content and environments and can usually be expressed in words effectively [3]. Thus, this author suggests that OBEs induced under psychedelic drug inebriation are different in nature from "regular" OBEs.
Taken as a whole, this polling data strongly suggests that the effects of psychedelic drugs are very similar to those of awakened kundalini and that it is reasonable to compare these two ASC. An important implication of the idea that psychedelic drugs and awakened kundalini display overlapping phenomenology is that, by furthering our understanding of the physiochemical action of psychedelic drugs on the body and brain, we may also discover the physiochemical changes associated with awakening of the kundalini.
References for Discussion Section
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- Zimmer, Heinrich. Philosophies Of India. New York, Meridian Books, 1956.
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- Leadbeater, C.W. Man Visible And Invisible. Wheaton, IL: Quest, 3rd Quest printing, abridged, 1980.