Peak experience is a term used to describe certain extra-personal and ecstatic states, particularly ones tinged with themes of unification, harmonization and interconnectedness. Participants characterize these experiences, and the revelations imparted therein, as possessing an ineffably mystical (or overtly religious) quality or essence.

Origins

---

Many of the nuances the term now connotes were expounded by psychologist Abraham Maslow in his 1970 work Religions, Values, and Peak Experiences ^*.

Today

---

The term peak experience is widely used in the drug subculture to describe such states, specifically when induced by the consumption of hallucinogenic substances.

Sustained Peak Experience

---

Maslow defined ^* lengthy, wilfully induced peak experiences (plateau experiences) as a characteristic of the self-actualized.

Quotes

---

''On peak experiences' 'Human beings do not realise the extent to which their own sense of defeat prevents them from doing things they could do perfectly well. The peak experience induces the recognition that your own powers are far greater than you imagined them. - Colin Wilson http://abrax7.stormloader.com/interview.htm