The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos Can Spiritual Experiences and Psychedelics Make us Happy? (LIVE from DC)

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More than a third of us admit to having had a spiritual experience. We might have been profoundly moved by a sunset or a painting; or felt that we’ve connected with our god or with the entire world around us. Such events can be transformative – bringing positive change to our lives and increasing our happiness – but some experiences aren’t so great.

In front of a live audience in Washington DC, David Yaden of Johns Hopkins University tells Dr Laurie Santos about his work examining what effect spiritual experiences have on us and how things like meditation and psychedelic drugs can bring about these powerful transformational episodes.

David Yaden is the author of: The Varieties of Spiritual Experience: 21st Century Research and Perspectives.

The Host

Dr. Laurie Santos

Dr. Laurie Santos is Professor of Psychology and Head of Silliman College at Yale University. Professor and podcast host Dr. Laurie Santos is an expert on human cognition and the…