Trait absorption as predictor of altered states of consciousness across three relaxation induction methods
Marc Wittmann, Amelia Lacassagne, Clara Koinegg, Marvin Hottenbacher, Sophia Saad
PsyArXiv June 26, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/knqwr_v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-subjects design |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 48 |
| Population | Healthy participants without prior meditation experience |
| Interventions | guided meditation multimodal Ganzfeld (MMGF) control resting condition |
| Duration | Three counterbalanced 25-minute sessions |
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Key points | Guided meditation significantly reduced arousal and time-related thoughts compared to both the control and Ganzfeld conditions, and higher trait absorption predicted diminished body boundary salience in the control and Ganzfeld conditions. |
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of three variants of Restricted Environmental Stimulation Techniques (REST)—guided meditation, multimodal Ganzfeld (MMGF), and a control resting condition—on subjective experiences related to altered states of consciousness (ASC). Specifically, the study examines emotional responses, time perception, and perceived body boundaries, while also assessing the role of trait absorption as an individual difference variable. In a within-subjects design, 48 healthy participants without prior meditation experience completed three counterbalanced 25-minute sessions across the three conditions. Measures included the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM), Subjective Time, Self, and Space Scales (STSS), Perceived Body Boundaries Scale (PBBS), and the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS). Results revealed that guided meditation significantly reduced arousal and time-related thoughts compared to both the control and Ganzfeld conditions, indicating decreased mind wandering and enhanced relaxation. Correlational analyses demonstrated that positive affect and low arousal were associated with fewer time-related thoughts and faster perceived time in the control condition. The Ganzfeld condition linked reduced body boundary salience to positive emotional states as well as positive affect with a faster passage of time. In the meditation condition lower arousal was associated with reduced sense of body boundaries. Regression analyses further indicated that higher trait absorption predicted diminished body boundary salience in both the control and Ganzfeld conditions, suggesting that individual differences in absorptive capacity modulate susceptibility to ASC-like experiences. Overall, the findings highlight both shared and distinct effects of REST variants on experiences and underscore the importance of personality traits in shaping subjective responses to reduced environmental stimulation.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Standardized Psychometric Assessment of Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) in Humans Healthy subjects in six countries | 1998 | Experimental and field study | n = 1,133 |
| TMS-EEG and resting-state EEG applied to altered states of consciousness: oscillations, complexity, and phenomenology. | 2023 | Experimental study | |
| A Test of the Psychedelic Model of Altered States of Consciousness | 1976 | Experimental study with comparison groups | |
| Neural Correlates of Non-ordinary States of Consciousness in Pranayama Practitioners: The Role of Slow Nasal Breathing Experienced meditators | 2022 | Within-subjects comparison | n = 12 |
| Increased spontaneous EEG signal diversity during stroboscopically-induced altered states of consciousness Healthy adults | 2019 | Experimental study |