Skip to content

Altered states of consciousness and hypnosis in the twenty-first century

John Gruzelier

Contemporary Hypnosis March 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1002/ch.14 (opens in new tab)

Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Survey and commentary Peer reviewed
Topics Altered states of consciousness
Citations 43
Key findings Argues that combining neurophysiological methods with phenomenological reports offers new approaches to understanding hypnosis, and that collaboration between neurophysiological and social orientations is needed to unify the field.

Abstract

The contemporary perspective on altered states of conscious is surveyed as an introduction to commentaries on Kallio and Revonsuo's lead article in Contemporary Hypnosis(2003). It is noted that the study of consciousness, unconscious processing, and altered states of consciousness are central issues in neuroscience, heralding fresh approaches to the neuroscientific understanding of hypnosis. These include attempts to bring together new neurophysiological methods with phenomenological report. The alteration in hypnosis of anterior brain processes including the anterior cingulated cortex and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are particularly productive areas of research. The lack of engagement with neuroscientific evidence from theorists with a purely social and cognitive orientation to hypnosis is noted, with examples provided from research on attention and relaxation. Unifying the field awaits active collaboration between scientists with neurophysiological and social orientations. Copyright © 2005 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis

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
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
Inhaled 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine: Supportive context associated with positive acute and enduring effects Adults who used inhaled synthetic 5-MeO-DMT 2019 Cross-sectional survey n = 578

Citations in the library

Cited by 3

Cites 4

Related reading

Explore topics

Altered states of consciousness Philosophy of mind