Phenomenoconnectomics and the Neural Correlates of Altered Consciousness. An interview with Timo Torsten Schmidt
George Fejer, Timo Torsten Schmidt
PsyArXiv May 10, 2024 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/mw9ft (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Interview |
|---|---|
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Key points | Phenomenoconnectomics aims to systematically investigate the phenomenology and functional connectivity of altered states of consciousness to identify necessary neuronal correlates of specific experiences. |
Abstract
In this interview, Timo Torsten Schmidt provides details about his efforts to compile a comprehensive database of all psychometric measures gathered from controlled experiments investigating altered states of consciousness (ASCs) induced by pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. He also introduces the paradigm of Phenomenoconnectomics which aims to systematically investigate the phenomenology and functional connectivity of ASCs to identify commonalities and differences, to ultimately identify the necessary neuronal correlates of specific experiences as they occur during ASCs. He explains some key findings of his own neuroscientific research on the neural correlates of consciousness under the influence of non-pharmacological manipulations, such as Ganzfeld exposure and flicker light stimulation-induced visual illusory percepts. Finally, we touch upon the current limitations of psychometric methods in their ability to capture the full diversity of the phenomenal space and future plans to overcome these caveats through Open Science initiatives that support harm reduction efforts.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensory Isolation in Flotation Tanks: Altered States of Consciousness and Effects on Well-being Patients with depression, burn-out syndrome, and chronic pain | 2015 | Qualitative study | n = 8 |
| A Shaman's Cure: The Relationship Between Altered States of Consciousness and Shamanic Healing1 Nepalese shamans and their patients | 2009 | Ethnography | |
| Psychedelic Drugs: A Study of Drug-Induced Experiences Obtained by Illegal Drug Users in Relation to Stanislav Grof's Model of Altered States of Consciousness Anonymous former illegal drug users | 2000 | Qualitative study | n = 16 |
| Spiritual experiences and altered states of consciousness – Parallels between BDSM and Christianity Self-defined BDSM practitioners in Sweden | 2020 | Qualitative ethnographic study | n = 29 |
| When Seconds Turn Into Minutes: Time Expansion Experiences in Altered States of Consciousness People who reported Time Expansion Experiences | 2020 | Qualitative study | n = 74 |
Citations in the library
Cites 17
- REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics Pharmacological Reviews June 20, 2019
- Neural correlates of the LSD experience revealed by multimodal neuroimaging. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences April 11, 2016
- Psychometric Evaluation of the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (OAV) PLoS One August 31, 2010
- Acute, subacute and long-term subjective effects of psilocybin in healthy humans: a pooled analysis of experimental studies Journal of Psychopharmacology September 20, 2010
- Broadband Cortical Desynchronization Underlies the Human Psychedelic State Journal of Neuroscience September 18, 2013
and 12 more in the library