Catharsis
Template:Proofread Catharsis can be described as the experience of a sudden healing or releasing of strong or repressed negative emotions. In the context of psychoactive substances, this effect is commonly referred to as "purgative" in nature and very effective for helping the individual overcome conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other personal afflictions relating to suffered past traumas. This effect varies in its consistence and strength depending on the substance or dosage and is most commonly reported among the orally active tryptamine psychedelics such as psilocin, 4-AcO-DMT, iboga and ayahuasca.
This process of healing old emotions and traumas (no matter the substance) is often described as feeling very natural and cleansing. The cathartic process generally starts off difficult and is sometimes accompanied by very physically intense sensations which then typically leads to pronounced emotion enhancement as well as deep introspection and an analysis of one's character and past events. During this experience, many people describe reliving traumatic events, witnessing painful memories, having enhanced mental imagery, experiencing intense abreactions, painful emotions and even encountering deceased relatives during hallucinatory states.
After this experience is over most users report feelings of contentment, rejuvenation and personal bias suppression which may last days, weeks or even years after the event is over.
Psychoactive substances
Compounds within our psychoactive substance index which may cause this effect include:
See also
- Responsible use
- Rejuvenation
- Subjective effects index
- Psychedelics - Subjective effects
- Dissociatives - Subjective effects
- Deliriants - Subjective effects