Researcher-as-phenomenon investigations—where investigators study phenomena accessed through their own lived experience—face a structural validation problem that traditional epistemological mechanisms cannot resolve. Replication fails because others cannot replicate the researcher's phenomenology. Bracketing fails because one cannot bracket oneself from oneself. This circularity deepens at the...
Epilepsy & BehaviorJanuary 22, 2026Fredrik K Andersson, Bisrat Ezra, Kenney Roy Roodakker et al.
Ecstatic seizures (EcS) have captured scientific interest due to their potential origin in anterior insular networks, emphasizing the insula's role in self-processing. Their frequency in epilepsy or insular pathology has not been systematically studied. Present study aimed to examine the frequency and clinical characteristics of EcS in epilepsy patients, and the potential occurrence of ecstatic...
CureusJanuary 21, 2026Ron Gabriel A Peji, Diane D Lipat, Alyssia M de Rojas
Trauma-related perceptual experiences may resemble psychotic symptoms, creating diagnostic challenges in adolescent populations. We report the case of a Filipino preadolescent female diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder following prolonged intrafamilial sexual abuse. During trauma-focused psychotherapy incorporating expressive techniques, the patient...
This article examines vitarka and vicāra, an important pair of technical terms for the functions of consciousness in two practical-phenomenological, i.e., yogic, traditions of Indian philosophy, namely, Buddhist Abhidharma and Sāṅkhya-yoga. It is shown that in their consideration the Buddhists have a historical priority and retained a phenomenological approach in their texts. In Patañjali’s...
How do we define our consciousness? Can we replicate human thinking in machines through artificial intelligence? Is it possible that consciousness is a spectrum? Like all of life’s mysteries, we research and experiment scientifically in search of answers to questions like these, but the idea of consciousness represents a fascinating connection between neuroscientific and philosophical theories....
Background: By exploring the principles of Gestalt psychology, the neural mechanisms of perception, and computational models, scientists aim to unravel the complex processes that enable us to perceive a coherent and organized world. This multidisciplinary approach continues to advance our understanding of how the brain constructs a perceptual world from sensory inputs. Objectives and Methods:...
Soma is a central yet enigmatic concept in Vedic literature, described as a plant or elixir associated with elevated states of consciousness such as refined perception, inner bliss, reduced fear, and a sense of unity, though its biological basis remains unresolved. In a modern reinterpretation, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi proposed that Soma need not be an external substance but may reflect an...
Background: Lucid dreaming (LD), which involves being aware of and controlling one’s dreams, is of particular interest in the study of consciousness and has potential therapeutic applications. In this narrative review, we highlight the neurobiological aspects of LD, specifically its mechanisms associated with the activation of prefrontal and parietal areas, increased gamma oscillations, and the...
Abstract This is a critical overview of recent and current studies of spirit possession, a condition featuring an altered state of consciousness that is culturally defined as the occupation of a person by forces that are alien and often invisible—for example, spirits, ancestors, or other entities and powers. The chapter explores how possession offers insights, but it also poses challenges in...
Background: Comorbidity of bipolar disorder and aspects of neurodevelopmental disorders present unique challenges and opportunities in understanding the formation and maintenance of selfhood and worldview in psychopathology. Traditional cognitive models often overlook the narrative and phenomenological dimensions of patient experience, particularly how autobiographical narration and emotionally...