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Altered states of consciousness within therapeutic modalities - exploring commonalities of experience

David Furlong

Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology December 20, 2022 DOI: 10.53074/cstp.2022.33 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative Grounded Theory pilot study Peer reviewed
Sample size 12
Population Trainers, practitioners, and clients from Hypnotherapy, Past-life Regression, Internal Family Systems Therapy, and Soul-Centred Healing
Interventions Hypnotherapy Past-life Regression Internal Family Systems Therapy Soul-Centred Healing
Topics Altered states of consciousness
Keywords Consciousness Altered states Brain waves Hypnotherapy Spirituality
Citations 1
Key findings Participants in four therapeutic modalities reported a conviction in a transpersonal element of human consciousness and experienced their altered states as part of a journey toward higher consciousness, with inner worlds containing multiple sub-personalities or parts.

Abstract

Altered states of consciousness (ASC) occur when there is a deviation from normal levels of psychological functioning. They can be self-induced through meditative practices or taking psychoactive substances and therapeutically induced through processes like hypnotic induction. They are determined physiologically when brain rhythms drop from the usual rhythm of waking consciousness to the slower rhythms of meditation and dreaming sleep. ASC offers a window into the workings of the psyche. This qualitative Grounded Theory pilot study explored commonalities of ASC experience through the lens of four therapeutic modalities - Hypnotherapy, Past-life Regression, Internal Family Systems Therapy and Soul-Centred Healing. The research findings were based on twelve interviews with a trainer, practitioner, and client from these four therapeutic systems. In exploring their inner worlds through ASC, the common themes of this limited research suggested the participants’ conviction in a transpersonal element of human consciousness that transcends the physicality of their current life. These experiences were seen as part of a journey of individuation to higher states of consciousness. The multiplicity of the different inner world elements was also recognised, containing various characters sometimes known as sub-personalities, ego-states or simply “parts”.

Comparable studies

Other non-randomized and open-label trials on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Evaluating sensory regulation as a method to improve awareness in patients with altered states of consciousness: A pilot study Patients undergoing sensory intervention (four in a sensory regulated environment, four... 1992 Controlled pilot study n = 8
Altered States of Consciousness during Exercise, Active-Alert Hypnosis, and Everyday Waking State. Runners, spinning-class participants, active-alert hypnosis subjects, and students in a... 2022 Retrospective nonrandomized comparison n = 375
Development, implementation and evaluation of Altered States of Consciousness: an immersive art exhibition designed to increase public awareness of psychotic experiences Visitors to an immersive art exhibition 2019 Pilot study n = 150
Altered States of Consciousness: Evaluation of a voice‐hearing simulation during an immersive art exhibition Visitors to an art gallery and the London Underground 2018 Pilot study n = 150

Citations in the library

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