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