Reinterpreting 'awe': Why cross‑cultural emotional intelligence needs to be handled with care
Medical Xpress
March 3, 2026
Awe has become a kind of emotional currency in Western wellness circles—revered for its ability to boost mental and physical health and even social interactions. There are findings linking awe to increased prosocial behavior, curiosity, humility, well-being, lower post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more adaptive physiological profiles. And yet across cultures, awe can provoke veneration and wonder or it can stimulate feelings of dread. What if awe does not travel?
Verticals
healthmedical
Originally published on Medical Xpress on 3/3/2026