When the Mind Leaves Early: A Bottom Up Neurobiological Account of Acute-State Dissociation
Chad Thomas
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) September 26, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22981367 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that acute-state dissociation arises from bottom-up neurobiological processes—trauma conditioning, salience misrouting, and memory-encoding shutdown—creating states in which individuals appear responsive while evaluative and reflective systems are offline, and contends that alcohol, opioids, ketamine, and stimulants can amplify dissociation, with implications for assessment, risk, and consent vulnerability. |
Abstract
This paper explains acute‑state dissociation through a bottom‑up neurobiological lens, showing how trauma conditioning, salience misrouting, and memory‑encoding shutdown create states where individuals appear responsive while evaluative and reflective systems are offline. It integrates research on autobiographical memory, substance‑induced impairment, and consent vulnerability to clarify how alcohol, opioids, ketamine, and stimulants amplify dissociation. The paper highlights clinical implications for assessment, risk, and interpretation, and includes a layman’s terms summary to make the mechanisms accessible to general readers.