As technologies increasingly converge with users’ psychophysiology and mental states, perception and mind-altering are emerging as plausibly designable components of user experience. This gives rise to emergent phenomena of digitally induced altered states of consciousness (DIAL) that find application not only in therapeutic and mental health contexts but also in communication and leisure....
In recent years, practices related to altered states of consciousness (ASC) (e.g., psychedelic experiences) have taken digital forms (e.g., biofeedback and virtual reality). While the amount of research at the intersection of ASC and digital technologies is growing, it remains fragmented across fields. To address this, we conducted a scoping review of 24 empirical or proof-of-concept studies,...
Previous research has often relied on passive observation of external phenomena when exploring technology-mediated self-transcendent experiences, overlooking co-creative, embodied interactivity. This study addresses this gap by investigating how aesthetic awe can be intentionally designed for using a novel Generative AI enabled interactive installation that augments a participant's...
This work analyses science fiction narratives for the intersections between the evolution of sensory augmentation technologies and altered states of consciousness as means of adaptation to this evolution. It identifies four types of sensorium manipulation, namely replacement, expansion, sharing and suppression, with each relating to unique cognitive shifts. Their representations in science...
Adding to the list of practices permeated by digital technologies, in recent years, domains related to altered states of consciousness (ASC) (e.g. psychedelic experiences) have also seen an increasing number of digital implementations. While implementations at the intersection of HCI and ASC mostly represent weak signals, there is a need for anticipatory research to explore the possible...
Immersion as an umbrella experience and embodiment are regarded as primary advantages of virtual reality and its capability to lead to other reflective experiences. Beyond the basis of stereoscopic head-mounted displays, however, there is paucity of research on altered ways of experiencing virtual reality with regards to the possibilities afforded by this medium. To address this gap, we explore...
Virtual reality is increasingly being explored as a tool for facilitating mindfulness practices, such as through various guided meditation applications currently available. However, it is unclear how the technological affordances of virtual reality align with the goals of mindfulness and how such experiences can be designed to optimally exploit these affordances. We use a guided body-scan...
Several areas of application for virtual reality technologies have seen significant growth recently, including mindfulness practice. This paper investigates the relationship between the mindfulness-related construct of decentering, i.e., detaching oneself from automatic thinking and observing one's thoughts and emotions, and body representation within virtual reality. Using a within-subjects...
Due to the increasing availability and efficiency of digital technologies humanity has reached a point where digitally altering consciousness might become ubiquitous, echoing in all areas of the functioning of society. In addition to the already familiar functions in terms of conveying information, enabling experiences, and extending our realities, there is an emerging field of...