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ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS, ABSORPTION, AND SEXUAL RESPONSIVENESS

Jacopo Ellero, R. Costa

Psicologia, Saúde & Doença December 1, 2020 DOI: 10.15309/20psd210320 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed
Sample size 448
Population International sample of adults (303 women, 145 men)
Topics Altered states of consciousness
Key findings Trait absorption and sexual responsiveness independently predicted dimensions of altered states of consciousness during sex for both women and men; vaginal orgasm additionally predicted ASC in women.

Abstract

Sexual intercourse alters normal waking consciousness. Altered states of consciousness (ASC) refer to marked deviations from usual waking consciousness, and include alterations in the sense of self, attention, thought processes, time awareness and sensory perception. Sex can induce ASC, as indicated by states of attentional absorption in bodily sensations concomitant with loss of time awareness. The present study aimed at testing if, during sexual relations, higher sexual responsiveness relates to higher intensity of dimensions of ASC that can occur in other contexts, such as meditation or use of psychoactive substances. The personality trait of absorption appears to reflect individual differences in the proclivity to experience ASC; thus, a second aim was to examine if trait absorption relates to intensity of ASC during sex. The international sample consisted of 448 participants (303 women, 145 men). Sex-induced ASC were measured with four sub-scales of The Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (OAV): Experience of Unity, Spiritual Experience, Blissful State and Insightfulness. Trait absorption was measured by the Modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (MODTAS). Sexual responsiveness during the last intercourse was assessed by the sum of measures of arousal, desire, and satisfaction, as well as by questions on the occurrence of orgasm from different sexual activities. Trait absorption and sexual responsiveness predicted independently all dimensions of ASC among women and men. In women, vaginal orgasm (during vaginal intercourse without concomitant clitoral masturbation) was an additional independent predictor of ASC. Male orgasm related to ASC, but not independently from other aspects of sexual responsiveness.

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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Altered states of consciousness Meditation Philosophy of mind