Psychobiology of Altered States of Consciousness.
Dieter Vaitl, Niels Birbaumer, John Gruzelier, Graham Jamieson, Boris Kotchoubey, Andrea Kübler, Dietrich Lehmann, Wolfgang H. R. Miltner, Ulrich Ott, Peter Pütz, Gebhard Sammer, Inge Strauch, Ute Strehl, Jiřı́ Wackermann, Thomas Weiß
Psychological Bulletin 2005 DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.131.1.98 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Keywords | Neurochemical Behavioral neuroscience Cognitive psychology Neurophysiology Cognition Level of consciousness Cognitive science Developmental psychology |
| Citations | 446 |
| Key findings | Altered states of consciousness can be characterized by four dimensions—activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics—and arise from neurophysiological changes including brain structure compromise, disconnectivity, and neurochemical/metabolic processes. |
Abstract
The article reviews the current knowledge regarding altered states of consciousness (ASC) (a) occurring spontaneously, (b) evoked by physical and physiological stimulation, (c) induced by psychological means, and (d) caused by diseases. The emphasis is laid on psychological and neurobiological approaches. The phenomenological analysis of the multiple ASC resulted in 4 dimensions by which they can be characterized: activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics. The neurophysiological approach revealed that the different states of consciousness are mainly brought about by a compromised brain structure, transient changes in brain dynamics (disconnectivity), and neurochemical and metabolic processes. Besides these severe alterations, environmental stimuli, mental practices, and techniques of self-control can also temporarily alter brain functioning and conscious experience.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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Characterizes altered states along four dimensions (activation, awareness span, self-awareness, sensory dynamics) and links them to compromised brain structure, transient disconnectivity, and neurochemical/metabolic processes.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Subjective Effects of Psychedelics Are Necessary for Their Enduring Therapeutic Effects. | 2020 | Review | |
| Intrinsic Brain Activity in Altered States of Consciousness | 2008 | Review | |
| Dynamic functional connectivity and brain metastability during altered states of consciousness | 2017 | Review | |
| A default mode of brain function in altered states of consciousness. | 2013 | Review | |
| The Electroencephalogram in Altered States of Consciousness Patients with altered states of consciousness | 1985 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 142
- The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin May 14, 2012
- Prediction of Psilocybin Response in Healthy Volunteers PLoS One February 17, 2012
- Toward a unifying taxonomy and definition for meditation Frontiers in Psychology 2013
- Alterations in the sense of time, space and body in the Mindfulness-trained brain: A neurophenomenologically-guided MEG study Frontiers in Psychology May 22, 2014
- A neurophenomenological approach to non-ordinary states of consciousness: hypnosis, meditation, and psychedelics Trends in Cognitive Sciences December 22, 2022
and 137 more in the library
Cites 30
- Out‐of‐body experience and autoscopy of neurological origin Brain January 15, 2004
- Altered States of Consciousness Archives of General Psychiatry September 1, 1966
- Functional brain mapping of the relaxation response and meditation Neuroreport May 1, 2000
- Varieties of anomalous experience: Examining the scientific evidence. American Psychological Association eBooks 2000
- Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
and 25 more in the library