Catharsis
Template:Proofread Catharsis can be described as the experience of a sudden healing or releasing of strong or repressed negative emotions. This process of healing negative emotions and traumas (no matter the substance) is often described as feeling very natural and cleansing. The process typically starts off being difficult to full face and is sometimes accompanied by very physically intense sensations which then typically lead into pronounced emotion enhancement, 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, reliving of past experiences, a release of previously repressed emotions, painful emotions in general, and even encountering deceased relatives during hallucinatory states.
In the context of psychoactive substances, this effect is commonly referred to as "purgative" in nature. It can be very effective for helping the individual overcome conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other personal afflictions relating to suffered past traumas. 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.
This effect varies in its consistency 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.
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