What is soma meaning?

Soma is a Sanskrit word that has several meanings and contexts, depending on the discipline or philosophical system it refers to.

In Hinduism, Soma is a deity associated with the ancient Vedic ritual drink that bears the same name. This drink is believed to have mystical properties that stimulate divine inspiration, spiritual insight, and immortality. Therefore, Soma is also the name of a plant or mushroom that was used as the main ingredient of the drink.

In psychoanalysis and psychology, Soma refers to the body, especially in the context of somatic symptoms or psychosomatic illnesses. It is an important concept in the work of Wilhelm Reich, who proposed that traumas and repressed emotions manifest in the body as muscular tension, posture, and breathing patterns.

In science and medicine, Soma is a generic term that refers to the body, often used to contrast it with the mind or soul. This meaning derives from the Greek word "soma," which means body. Therefore, we can find terms like "somatic cell" (any cell in the body except the reproductive ones), "somatic therapy" (a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes awareness and regulation of bodily sensations), and "somatic mutation" (a genetic alteration that occurs in non-reproductive cells).