Research findings reveal that experiencing moments of awe can lead to increased generosity, improved inflammation profile, enhanced creativity, reduced polarization in politics, and a greater ability to find common ground with ideological adversaries. A unique awe experiment involving rafting trips for veterans and under-resourced teenagers showed a 30% decrease in PTSD symptoms for veterans and increased well-being and decreased stress for teenagers. This positive impact has the potential to integrate awe into mental health treatments, recovery processes from surgeries, and as an approach to grief and healthcare provider training programs.
Psychologist Dacher Keltner shares the science behind the mysterious, powerful emotion of awe. He and Maya discuss where we can find awe in our everyday lives, including one common but surprising source. Dacher also explains how awe can boost our well-being and potentially influence psychological traits such as openness and resilience.
This is the start of our three-part series on Awe. To learn more about Dacher's work on awe, check out his book "Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life." And If you enjoyed this episode, try this one from the archive: “How Psychedelics Can Change Our Minds”
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