Reasons for the 'euphoria' effect in Scientology?

[Undesired Walrus]

Plenty of people appear to come out of these auditing sessions with a sense of euphoria, or 'feeling free.. like nothing else in the world' (Even reporters undercover).

Any theories as to why these sessions provoke such an emotional response from so many people?

I was thinking Scientology would be a good case study, as it is the one large religion that is ostracised and ridiculed by every other major religion in the world. It's deemed as ridiculous by every other religion in the world. If the other religions could see how similar-and no less powerful- their 'spiritual', 'euphoric' feelings were to those who come out of autiting sessions, and the likely explanations, they may be less willing to take 'religous experience' as evidence of their particular deity. 'If my religous euphoria is the same as a euphoria that is palpably not evidence of that particular religions truth, for what reason is mine special and seperate, and proof of my religions truth?' they may ask.

[Jonnyclueless]

Same reason anyone coming out of some time of religious like experience does. Any time one feels like they just figured out some big piece of a puzzle in life feels that way. Why do people who go to churches flop around on the floor and flail about in a silly manner? Is it because god has filled them with the holy spirit? Of course not. They just convinced themselves of it.

Many make fun of scientology because of the notion of aliens and dropping people in volcano's, etc. Yet then they go back to their talking snakes and donkeys, global floods, floating up into heaven (weee!) and a place where people burn and suffer for eternity, etc.

[pchams]

Plenty of people appear to come out of these auditing sessions with a sense of euphoria, or 'feeling free..<snip>

...the one large religion that is ostracised and ridiculed by every other major religion in the world. It's deemed as ridiculous by every other religion in the world.

Could you please cite evidence for either of these assertions.
I'm not sure any other religion gives scientology the time of day.

[tsig]

Plenty of people appear to come out of these auditing sessions with a sense of euphoria, or 'feeling free.. like nothing else in the world' (Even reporters undercover).

Any theories as to why these sessions provoke such an emotional response from so many people?

I was thinking Scientology would be a good case study, as it is the one large religion that is ostracised and ridiculed by every other major religion in the world. It's deemed as ridiculous by every other religion in the world. If the other religions could see how similar-and no less powerful- their 'spiritual', 'euphoric' feelings were to those who come out of autiting sessions, and the likely explanations, they may be less willing to take 'religous experience' as evidence of their particular deity. 'If my religous euphoria is the same as a euphoria that is palpably not evidence of that particular religions truth, for what reason is mine special and seperate, and proof of my religions truth?' they may ask.

Sounds like what I used to feel after going to Confession.

[not daSkeptic]

Any time one feels like they just figured out some big piece of a puzzle in life feels that way.

I may be wrong on this, but it's a dopamine rush in the brain, right? A more intense form of the "ah ha" moment when getting a joke or finally understanding that pesky math problem.

[Smackety]

Rapid loss of brain cells

[aggle-rithm]

This may not be relevant at all, but I once went to an est-type group training seminar that left me with a feeling of euphoria that lasted about a week. I was convinced that it was the philosophy offered during the seminar that led to my positive feelings, and when the feeling began to fade, I started to question my ability to adhere to its teachings.

I later figured out that the euphoria was from the several cathartic exercises designed to teach us to get in touch with our emotions. It had nothing to do with what I had learned, but the various neuro-transmitters released during the exercises.

On the other hand, I have difficulty imagining how something like this could arise from the austere auditing test administered by Scientology...although some of the processes they use can lead to a feeling of being disembodied.

[slingblade]

Surely, it has to make one euphoric to "realize" that all the crap in one's life isn't one's fault, or even that of other people, but Thetans.

Absolution of responsibility makes many people euphoric.

[HarryKeogh]

I once had an auditing session that lasted about six hours. Half of it was spent answering the same questions over and over again ("Describe a time something felt really real to you" or "Recall a time you really felt affinity for someone"). By the end I felt exhausted, not euphoric. Word went up to the higher-ups that I had a bad session so they called me back the next day. An advanced auditor give me a session to fix whatever went wrong the day before. He was a charming SOB and I left the brief session feeling fantastic. Like something really changed in me.

Looking back on it I'm sure it was just because I expected to feel that way. I had a top-level auditor auditing me and so I should feel euphoric.