A Fragmented Mind: Altered States of Consciousness and Spirit Possession Between Rituals and Therapy.
Donato Giuseppe Leo
Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science July 30, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s12124-025-09929-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Keywords | Consciousness Exorcism Spirit possession Trance states |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key points | Argues that sociocultural factors have been determinant in embedding altered states of consciousness in religious and spiritual practices, and that these states are of therapeutic value for mental wellbeing. |
Abstract
This paper focuses on understanding how cultural influences, social expectancy, and personal beliefs shape the perception of altered states of consciousness and how these mental states have been interpreted as a way to communicate with the spiritual world. Altered states of consciousness are commonly encountered in religious, spiritual, and therapeutic (e.g., hypnosis) practices. While neurophysiological aspects of altered states of consciousness are an important part of understanding the nature of human consciousness, the cultural meaning that these states of mind assume in different communities is equally fundamental. The phenomenon of spirit possession is a meaningful example of how sociocultural factors influence and shape the perception of altered states of consciousness. An understanding of the meaning of spirit possession as a tool to "exorcise" individual trauma or to address communal fears and turmoil is provided here. From the historical concept of the supernatural nature of physical and mental illness through the discussion of rituals aiming at casting out or taming the possessing spirit, this paper wants to provide an understanding of how sociocultural factors have been determinant in embedding altered states of consciousness in religious and spiritual practices, and how these states are of therapeutic value for mental wellbeing.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altered States of Consciousness | 1966 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Functional neuroanatomy of altered states of consciousness: The transient hypofrontality hypothesis | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Psychedelic Mystical Experience in the Human Encounter with Death | 1969 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| A neurophenomenological approach to non-ordinary states of consciousness: hypnosis, meditation, and psychedelics | 2022 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Hypnotic phenomena and altered states of consciousness: a multilevel framework of description and explanation | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 19
- The salience network is responsible for switching between the default mode network and the central executive network: Replication from DCM Neuroimage May 24, 2014
- Psychobiology of Altered States of Consciousness. Psychological Bulletin 2005
- The Default Mode Network in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Brain Connectivity December 5, 2016
- Phenomenology, Structure, and Dynamic of Psychedelic States Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences 2016
- Self unbound: ego dissolution in psychedelic experience Neuroscience of Consciousness 2017
and 14 more in the library