http://www.meta-religion.com/Linguistics/Glossolalia/contemporary_linguistic_study.htm
Not having been exposed to "tongues" I found it fascinating when I first joined TF. It was weird until one day it simple "came out" of my mouth. Since then I have found it to be a liberating experience that separates my consiousness from the cluttler of my thoughts. It sort of transports my mind into a state of calmed expectation.
Similar "states" were described to me of people who practice different forms of meditations.
It is when I am in that state that many pieces of puzzles are put magicaly put together, some things can become clear, and there is a general feeling of rest.
In many cases, speaking in tonges has helped me het there but it is not only the mechanical action but also the attitude that accompanies that action. What I mean is that being grateful, a sort of thanking "attitude" was a part of my experiences.
I wonder if other "attitudes" when speaking in tongues could take one to other types of "states". After all, there seems to be great similarity in how it is practiced by many religions (voodoo, etc.) There seems to be some conection between speaking in tongues and getting in [some type of] trance. I think it is playing with spirits and not having the protection of the Holy Ghost is a terrible thing then.
It may be what took MO into the horrible dark side he wanted to take us into.