metempsychosis

n. transmigration of the soul, whereby upon death a soul takes up residence in another body, human or animal. The belief is inherent in the doctrine of samsara, the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, that is central to Hinduism and Buddhism. An important and unanswerable issue attends the doctrine: the extent to which the reincarnated soul retains its memories and personality. In the ancient Western world, a similar belief in multiple lives was taught by Greek philosophers Pythagoras (c. 569–c. 475 bce) and Empedocles (c. 493–c. 453 bce). See also reincarnation.

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Psychology term of the day

January 30th 2025

anticholinergic syndrome

a disorder produced by anticholinergic drugs and due to their antagonistic effects at acetylcholine receptors, marked by symptoms involving both the peripheral and central nervous systems. The former include dry mucous membranes, dry mouth, and flushed skin and face, whereas the latter include ataxia (unsteady gait), drowsiness, slurred speech, confusion and disorientation, hallucinations, and deficits, particularly of short-term memory. Tricyclic antidepressants, aliphatic phenothiazines, antiparkinsonian agents, and scopolamine are examples of drugs that can cause anticholinergic syndrome. This syndrome is often observed in patients receiving combinations of such drugs.