Methodological guidelines to investigate altered states of consciousness and anomalous experiences
A. Moreira-Almeida, F. Lotufo-Neto
International Review of Psychiatry February 17, 2017 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2017.1285555 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Key points | Proposes that anomalous experiences can be rigorously investigated as subjective experiences using a set of methodological guidelines that avoid pathologizing the unusual and account for cultural and interpretive factors. |
Abstract
Anomalous experiences (AE) (uncommon experiences or one that is believed to deviate from the usually accepted explanations of reality: hallucinations, synesthesia, experiences interpreted as telepathic…) and altered states of consciousness (ASC) have been described in all societies of all ages. Even so, scientists have long neglected the studies on this theme. To study AE and ASC is not necessary to share the beliefs we explore, they can be investigated as subjective experiences and correlated with other data, like any other human experience. This article presents some methodological guidelines to investigate these experiences, among them: to avoid dogmatic prejudice and to 'pathologize' the unusual; the value of a theory and a comprehensive literature review; to utilize a variety of criteria for pathology and normality; the investigation of clinical and non-clinical populations; development of new appropriate research instruments; to be careful to choose the wording to describe the AE; to distinguished the lived experience from its interpretations; to take into account the role of culture; to evaluate the validity and reliability of reports and, last but not least, creativity and diversity in choosing methods.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altered States of Consciousness | 1966 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Functional neuroanatomy of altered states of consciousness: The transient hypofrontality hypothesis | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Psychedelic Mystical Experience in the Human Encounter with Death | 1969 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| A neurophenomenological approach to non-ordinary states of consciousness: hypnosis, meditation, and psychedelics | 2022 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Hypnotic phenomena and altered states of consciousness: a multilevel framework of description and explanation | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Mystical and Other Alterations in Sense of Self: An Expanded Framework for Studying Nonordinary Experiences Perspectives on Psychological Science February 13, 2020
- Educating Through Attentional States of Consciousness, an Effective Way to Develop Creative Potential? Frontiers in Education March 17, 2022
- Mind beyond the brain: proposal of a pragmatic interactionist framework. International Review of Psychiatry 2025
- Body image phenomenology in reports of psychedelic and meditative experiences: main themes and associations with body attitudes. Neuroscience of Consciousness 2026
- Prevalence of spiritual and religious experiences in the general population: A Brazilian nationwide study. Transcultural Psychiatry August 1, 2025
and 4 more in the library
Cites 11
- Varieties of anomalous experience: Examining the scientific evidence. American Psychological Association eBooks 2000
- Features of "near-death experience" in relation to whether or not patients were near death The Lancet November 1, 1990
- Consistency of near-death experience accounts over two decades: Are reports embellished over time? Resuscitation February 8, 2007
- Near-Death Experiences in India The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease March 1, 1986
- Do Prevailing Societal Models Influence Reports of Near-Death Experiences? The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease March 1, 2006
and 6 more in the library