Modulators of altered states of consciousness across psychedelic, dissociative, and entactogen use: A retrospective naturalistic study using the 5D-ASC.
Bruno Romeo, Ewen Kervadec, Baptiste Fauvel, Lana Strika-Bruneau, Pauline Mathieu, Ammar Amirouche, Aurore Bezo, Romain Hacquet, Pascale Piolino, Amine Benyamina
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry January 23, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2026.111621 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Retrospective online survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 804 |
| Population | Individuals who reported a psychedelic experience |
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Consciousness alteration Dissociative substance Entactogen Serotoninergic psychedelics |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | The intensity of psychedelic experiences, measured by the 5D-ASC, is significantly predicted by the intended purpose of the experience, the type of substance, the estimated dose, and participants' age and gender. |
Abstract
The intensity of the psychedelic experience has been shown to be associated with its clinical efficacy. This study aims to investigate the factors that may influence the level of altered consciousness during naturalistic psychedelic use, which serves as a proxy for the intensity of the psychedelic experience. A retrospective online survey was conducted on individuals who reported a psychedelic experience. Demographic data, intensity of the psychedelic experience as assessed by the Altered States of Consciousness questionnaire (5D-ASC and its 11 subscales) and characteristics of the psychedelic experience were documented. A total of 804 participants were included in this study. Significant predictors of 5D-ASC scores following a psychedelic experience included the intended purpose of the experience (with spiritual/religious, therapeutic, and self-exploratory intentions exerting a greater influence than recreational intentions); the type of substance (with dissociative and serotonergic psychedelics associated with stronger effects than entactogens); the estimated dose (with moderate, high, and very high doses yielding greater effects relative to very low doses); as well as participants' age at the time of the experience and their gender. Our findings indicate that the intensity of psychedelic experiences is influenced by a multifaceted interplay of pharmacological, individual, and contextual factors. The close correspondence between determinants of mystical experiences and altered states of consciousness suggests that experiential intensity may reflect a shared underlying neurobiological sensitivity, rather than being specific to a given phenomenological category.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science Meditators | 2018 | Cross-sectional online survey | n = 1,120 |
| Altered states of consciousness and hypnosis in the twenty-first century | 2005 | Survey and commentary | |
| Naturalistic use of psychedelics is related to emotional reactivity and self-consciousness: The mediating role of ego-dissolution and mystical experiences Adults with varying histories of psychoactive substance use, including 1661... | 2022 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 2,516 |
| Salvia divinorum use and phenomenology: results from an online survey. Recent users of Salvia divinorum | 2011 | Survey | n = 154 |
| Examination of the Phenomenology of the Ibogaine Treatment Experience: Role of Altered States of Consciousness and Psychedelic Experiences. Individuals who used ibogaine in the past | 2017 | Retrospective survey | n = 27 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Through the Looking-Glass: A Scoping Review of Psychological Mechanisms of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for Substance Use Disorders Current Addiction Reports September 2, 2026
- Psychometric validation of the French version of the five-dimensional altered states of consciousness questionnaire (5D-ASC) and associated 11 OAV subscales. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry June 20, 2026
Cites 47
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- Psychometric Evaluation of the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (OAV) PLoS One August 31, 2010
- Validation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire in experimental sessions with psilocybin Journal of Psychopharmacology October 6, 2015
- The Standardized Psychometric Assessment of Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) in Humans Pharmacopsychiatry July 1, 1998
and 42 more in the library