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Altered States of Consciousness: A Comparison of Profoundly and Superficially Altered States

Andrzej Kokoszka

Imagination, Cognition and Personality October 1, 1999 DOI: 10.2190/9agv-l1p0-dg4g-95pw (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed
Sample size 295
Population Adolescents and adults
Topics Altered states of consciousness
Citations 9
Key findings Profoundly Altered States of Consciousness are accompanied by extremely strong positive emotions and significantly fewer cognitive disturbances than Superficially Altered States.

Abstract

Superficially Altered States of Consciousness (SACS) and Profoundly Altered States of Consciousness (PASC) are described as a result of analyses of results of a questionnaire survey of 295 subjects—adolescents and adults. The comparison of the experiences accompanying these states indicates that SASC are characterized by disturbances in experiencing the reality, one's self, and in cognitive processes. Meanwhile, PASC are accompanied by experiences related to an absolute, universal, eternal, and existential or religious matters. PASC are accompanied by extremely strong positive emotions and are experienced with significantly less feelings of cognitive disturbances than in SASC. PASC occur mainly in the context of religion, whereas SASC in everyday life, solitude, and poor well being.

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

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