scholarly journals Sensory Isolation in Flotation Tanks: Altered States of Consciousness and Effects on Well-being

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anette Kjellgren ◽  
Fransica Lyden ◽  
Torsten Norlander
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Altered States ◽  
Body Experience ◽  
States Of Consciousness ◽  
Burn Out ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
Technical Details ◽  
Altered State Of Consciousness ◽  
Perceptual Changes ◽  
Sensory Isolation

A qualitative analysis (The Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method) of interviews involving eight patients (depression, burn-out syndrome, and chronic pain) was carried out in order to obtain knowledge regarding the effects of flotation tank therapy. This knowledge might be helpful for both professionals and potential floaters. The analysis resulted in 21 categories, which were summarized as four themes: (a) experiences during flotation, (b) perceived effects afterwards, (c) technical details, and finally (d) the participants ́ background, motivation, and expectations. Floating was perceived as pleasant. An altered state of consciousness was induced, varying from a milder state including profound relaxation and altered time perception, to more powerful with perceptual changes and profound sensations such as out-o f-body experience s and perinatal experiences.

7. Altered states of consciousness

2017 ◽  
pp. 100-116
Author(s):  
Susan Blackmore
Keyword(s):  
Normal State ◽  
Altered States Of Consciousness ◽  
Psychoactive Drugs ◽  
Altered States ◽  
States Of Consciousness ◽  
Body Experiences ◽  
The World ◽  
Altered State Of Consciousness ◽  
Near Death Experiences

‘Altered states of consciousness’ discusses the states of consciousness during sleep, dreaming, hallucinations, out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, meditation, and after taking psychoactive drugs. Psychologist Charles Tart defines an altered state of consciousness (ASC) as ‘a qualitative alteration in the overall pattern of mental functioning, such that the experiencer feels his consciousness is radically different from the way it functions ordinarily’. This certainly captures the idea of ASCs, but also creates problems, such as knowing what a ‘normal’ state is. In both mystical experiences and long-term meditation, people describe seeing through the illusions of duality and seeing the world as it truly is.

scholarly journals Sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on mental health and well-being in healthy ceremony attendants: A replication study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim I. van Oorsouw ◽  
Malin V. Uthaug ◽  
Natasha L. Mason ◽  
Nick J. Broers ◽  
Johannes G. Ramaekers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Altered States Of Consciousness ◽  
Altered States ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
States Of Consciousness ◽  
First Time ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Background and aims There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the psychedelic plant tea, ayahuasca, holds therapeutic potential. Uthaug et al. (2018) demonstrated that a single dose of ayahuasca improved mental health sub-acutely and 4-weeks post-ceremony in healthy participants. The present study aimed to replicate and extend these findings. A first objective was to assess the sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on mental health and well-being in first-time and experienced users. A second aim was to extend the assessment of altered states of consciousness and how they relate to changes in mental health. Method Ayahuasca ceremony attendants (N = 73) were assessed before, the day after, and four weeks following the ceremony. Results We replicated the reduction in self-reported stress 4-weeks post ceremony, but, in contrast, found no reduction in depression. Also, increased satisfaction with life and awareness the day after the ceremony, and its return to baseline 4 weeks later, were replicated. New findings were: reduced ratings of anxiety and somatization, and increased levels of non-judging 4-weeks post-ceremony. We replicated the relation between altered states of consciousness (e.g., experienced ego dissolution during the ceremony) and mental health outcomes sub-acutely. The effects of ayahuasca did not differ between experienced and first-time users. Conclusion Partly in line with previous findings, ayahuasca produces long-term improvements in affect in non-clinical users. Furthermore, sub-acute mental health ratings are related to the intensity of the psychedelic experience. Although findings replicate and highlight the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca, this needs to be confirmed in placebo-controlled studies.

The Coming Era of Time-Free Transparency

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-30
Author(s):  
Nicholas Brink
Keyword(s):  
Altered States Of Consciousness ◽  
Altered States ◽  
Altered State ◽  
Night Time ◽  
New Era ◽  
States Of Consciousness ◽  
Jean Gebser ◽  
Altered State Of Consciousness

In his book The Ever-Present Origin, Jean Gebser describes the new era of consciousness into which we are moving as we move from the era of rational consciousness into the an era of time-free transparency. This article describes in greater detail the meaning and nature of consciousness that is time-free and transparent. Both of these features are most apparent in night-time dreams and other altered states of consciousness, features that were and are available to the shamans of both ancient and contemporary hunting-gathering cultures. A direct way of experiencing these features of this new consciousness is through the altered state of ecstatic trance as researched by the anthropologist Felicitas Goodman as described in her book Where the Spirits Ride the Wind. The induction of this altered state of consciousness is then described.

Body-Mind Dissociation, Altered States, and Alter Worlds

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 769-806
Author(s):  
Peter Goldberg
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
The Body ◽  
Altered States Of Consciousness ◽  
Altered States ◽  
States Of Mind ◽  
Body Experience ◽  
States Of Consciousness ◽  
Life Of The Mind ◽  
The Mind

A psychosomatic model of dissociation is proposed that addresses the ever adjusting mind-body relation—the constant titration of the quality and degree of the psyche’s embeddedness in the sensorial and temporal life of the body. The model highlights the function of hypnoid mechanisms (autohypnosis, distraction, somatic autostimulation) and of altered states of consciousness in facilitating and masking the work of mind-body dissociation. Transient altered states, which enable new and creative forms of mind-body experience in everyday life and in the therapy situation, are contrasted with pathological forms of retreat into alter worlds—rigidly organized, timeless, often inescapable trancelike states of mind-body dislocation. These pathological dissociative structures reshape the life of the mind and of the body, requiring new clinical approaches to these phenomena.

scholarly journals Moving beyond the concept of altered state of consciousness: the Non-Ordinary Mental Expressions (NOMEs)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
ENRICO FACCO ◽  
Fabio Fracas ◽  
Patrizio Tressoldi
Keyword(s):  
Altered States Of Consciousness ◽  
Altered States ◽  
Ontological Status ◽  
Altered State ◽  
Conceptual Tool ◽  
States Of Consciousness ◽  
Theoretical Paper ◽  
Altered State Of Consciousness ◽  
Ordinary Consciousness ◽  
The Mind

Aim of this theoretical paper is to review the ontological status of so-called altered states of consciousness, suggesting a revision of their common interpretation as abnormal, or anyway less-than-normal conditions. The term Non-Ordinary Mental Expressions (NOMEs), is described and emphasized as a new conceptual tool allowing a more comprehensive interpretation of the varieties of the normal albeit non ordinary consciousness experiences and their implications in the mind-body relationship.

scholarly journals Moving beyond the concept of altered state of consciousness: the Non-Ordinary Mental Expressions (NOMEs)

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 615-631
Author(s):  
Enrico Facco ◽  
Fabio Fracas ◽  
Patrizio Tressoldi
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
The State ◽  
Altered States Of Consciousness ◽  
Altered States ◽  
Altered State ◽  
New Classification ◽  
States Of Consciousness ◽  
Altered State Of Consciousness

Aim of this paper is to review the state of the art of so-called altered states of consciousness, anomalous experiences, and exceptional human experiences, showing the need for reappraising the whole topic and gather them under one roof. The term Non-Ordinary Mental Expressions (NOMEs) and a new classification of non-pathological ostensibly odd phenomena is introduced, emphasizing their epistemological, transcultural and interdisciplinary implications with their huge  implications in medical and psychotherapeutical clinical practice. 

Neurotechnology in the Development of Cyber-Psychotherapy Systems for Inducing and Measuring Altered States of Consciousness in Transpersonal Psychotherapy

2017 ◽  
pp. 185-211
Author(s):  
Raul Valverde
Keyword(s):  
Transpersonal Psychology ◽  
Altered States Of Consciousness ◽  
Altered States ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Altered State ◽  
States Of Consciousness ◽  
Transpersonal Psychotherapy ◽  
Altered State Of Consciousness ◽  
Human Psyche ◽  
Different Characteristics

Transpersonal psychotherapy is based on transpersonal psychology and considers that the psyche is multidimensional and that there are several “levels of consciousness” and each has different characteristics and is governed by different laws. Transpersonal psychology is the study of human nature and proceeds on the assumption that human beings possess potentials that exceed the limits of their ego and integrate the spiritual experience within a broader understanding of the human psyche and consciousness. Altered states of consciousness have been used as psychotherapy in transpersonal psychology for decades. Although there are very well known techniques to induce altered state of consciousness as holotropic breathwork, Neurotechnology offers an alternative way not only to induce these states for transpersonal therapy but also to measure the level of a state of consciousness. The objective of this chapter is to provide a review of the main concepts of Neurotechnology and the main technologies that can be used to induce and measure altered state of consciousness for transpersonal psychotherapy and propose an architecture for a Cyber psychotherapy system that uses these technologies.

scholarly journals The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1279-1295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick S Barrett ◽  
Matthew P Bradstreet ◽  
Jeannie-Marie S Leoutsakos ◽  
Matthew W Johnson ◽  
Roland R Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Safety Concern ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Internet Survey ◽  
Altered States ◽  
Psychological Reactions ◽  
States Of Consciousness ◽  
Experience Questionnaire

Acute adverse psychological reactions to classic hallucinogens (“bad trips” or “challenging experiences”), while usually benign with proper screening, preparation, and support in controlled settings, remain a safety concern in uncontrolled settings (such as illicit use contexts). Anecdotal and case reports suggest potential adverse acute symptoms including affective (panic, depressed mood), cognitive (confusion, feelings of losing sanity), and somatic (nausea, heart palpitation) symptoms. Responses to items from several hallucinogen-sensitive questionnaires (Hallucinogen Rating Scale, the States of Consciousness Questionnaire, and the Five-Dimensional Altered States of Consciousness questionnaire) in an Internet survey of challenging experiences with the classic hallucinogen psilocybin were used to construct and validate a Challenging Experience Questionnaire. The stand-alone Challenging Experience Questionnaire was then validated in a separate sample. Seven Challenging Experience Questionnaire factors (grief, fear, death, insanity, isolation, physical distress, and paranoia) provide a phenomenological profile of challenging aspects of experiences with psilocybin. Factor scores were associated with difficulty, meaningfulness, spiritual significance, and change in well-being attributed to the challenging experiences. The factor structure did not differ based on gender or prior struggle with anxiety or depression. The Challenging Experience Questionnaire provides a basis for future investigation of predictors and outcomes of challenging experiences with classic hallucinogens.

Photic Driving and Altered States of Consciousness: An Exploratory Study

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Glicksohn
Keyword(s):  
Visual Imagery ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Verbal Report ◽  
Photic Stimulation ◽  
Altered States ◽  
States Of Consciousness ◽  
Photic Driving ◽  
Successful Induction ◽  
Altered State Of Consciousness ◽  
Male Subjects

The use of photic driving to induce an altered state of consciousness (ASC) is investigated and discussed in this exploratory study. Four male subjects were exposed to photic stimulation at the frequencies of 18, 10, and 6 c/s, and were required to provide a verbal report regarding their mentation at the end of each block of photic stimulation. Individual differences were apparent at both cognitive and electrophysiological levels. Two subjects experienced ASCs, reported visual imagery induced by the photic stimulation, and exhibited a driving response to the stimulation at 10 c/s. It was tentatively concluded that the successful induction of a driving response at 10 c/s is conducive both to visual imagery and to the induction of an ASC.

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