Religiousness

Psychedelics
Unruly Psychedelics

Gary Laderman Ph.D. on August 22, 2026

Many interested parties want a piece of the psychedelic pie and seek ways to control and regulate their incorporation into the body politic.

Many interested parties want a piece of the psychedelic pie and seek ways to control and regulate their incorporation into the body politic.

Spirituality
The Altered States of America

Gary Laderman Ph.D. on May 6, 2026

Personal Perspective: The United States of America might be more accurately called the Altered States of America. Beyond the therapeutic promises are the religious ramifications.

Personal Perspective: The United States of America might be more accurately called the Altered States of America. Beyond the therapeutic promises are the religious ramifications.

Education
A True Believer in the Intellectual Spirit

Gary Laderman Ph.D. on February 19, 2026

Personal Perspective: I'm getting close to retirement and realizing some of the religious forces at work shaping our attitudes toward education and the life of the mind.

Personal Perspective: I'm getting close to retirement and realizing some of the religious forces at work shaping our attitudes toward education and the life of the mind.

Spirituality
Can Drugs Help Your Religious Life?

Gary Laderman Ph.D. on June 30, 2025

A recent study asks whether altering consciousness with psychoactive substances can have religious value. Americans take drugs for everything else, why not to enhance spirituality?

A recent study asks whether altering consciousness with psychoactive substances can have religious value. Americans take drugs for everything else, why not to enhance spirituality?

Religion
Let's Get Real About Religion

Gary Laderman Ph.D. on May 28, 2025

Religion, or religiousness, isn't going away. Dr. Freud believed religion to be an illusion and only a stage in human evolution — illusory beliefs themselves, it seems.

Religion, or religiousness, isn't going away. Dr. Freud believed religion to be an illusion and only a stage in human evolution — illusory beliefs themselves, it seems.

Religion
Does Religion Get You High?

Gary Laderman Ph.D. on January 31, 2024

We know that psychoactive substances are used for religious life, but how might religious life be a form of drug use?

We know that psychoactive substances are used for religious life, but how might religious life be a form of drug use?

Religion
The Rise of Sacred Drugs for Existential Struggles

Gary Laderman Ph.D. on December 18, 2023

The most obvious example of sacred drugs today are psychedelics, and the revivalistic-like Psychedelic Renaissance is the vehicle now trailblazing a path into the mainstream.

The most obvious example of sacred drugs today are psychedelics, and the revivalistic-like Psychedelic Renaissance is the vehicle now trailblazing a path into the mainstream.

Religion
Drugs and Religious Life

Gary Laderman Ph.D. on August 2, 2023

There is so much more to the prevalence of drugs in America than their purported recreational or medicinal values.

There is so much more to the prevalence of drugs in America than their purported recreational or medicinal values.

Education
Education on the Brink

Gary Laderman Ph.D. on May 22, 2023

It appears that America is at a critical juncture when imagining the purpose of teaching students to think about their world and themselves.

It appears that America is at a critical juncture when imagining the purpose of teaching students to think about their world and themselves.

Religion
Can Drugs Help Us Prepare for Death?

Gary Laderman Ph.D. on August 15, 2022

Perhaps the most humane response to an impending death is to find ways to alter consciousness, moods, and orientations that can ease the transition and reimagine its meaning.

Perhaps the most humane response to an impending death is to find ways to alter consciousness, moods, and orientations that can ease the transition and reimagine its meaning.

Back
Back
Find a Therapist
Back
Get Help
Back
Magazine
September 2026 magazine cover
September 2026
The Power of Enough

We’re all holding onto something we’re sure we can’t give up on, but research shows that letting go can boost our happiness a lot more than we might think.

Subscribe Issue Archive
Back
Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
Quizzes