Abstract Progress in the scientific study of altered states of consciousness (ASCs) has been hindered by methodological and conceptual problems. At a methodological level there is a lack of agreement on the scales and instruments used to measure and categorize ASCs. At a conceptual level, existing typologies (such as trigger-based, phenomenology-based, attribution-based, neurobiological, and...
Understanding what makes us conscious is one of the major frontiers of science. There are two main approaches to the mystery of consciousness. The first regards conscious states (i.e., being conscious) and how certain global states (e.g., of arousal) can support the formation of any conscious experience. Insights into the neural processes underlying the capacity for consciousness stem from...
There is a growing hype regarding the efficacy of psychedelics to fundamentally change how we interact with the theme of death. The underlying evidence consists of anecdotal and self-report data collected in naturalistic and clinical settings suggesting that psychedelics inculcate more acceptance and less fear and anxiety of one’s mortality. However, given hundreds of empirical studies...
It is increasingly recognized that interoceptive ability, the capacity to detect, interpret, and consciously integrate signals related to the physiological condition of the body, is central to emotion experience and regulation. Interoceptive ability can be trained and improved through mind-body interventions. This article attempts to provide an integrative review of the link between...
This work seeks to make an argument for whether the absolute vacuum, the nonspatial and nontemporal fifth dimension where all the particles and forces, which created/creates the material worlds of the multiverse, are one, as conceived in Mocombe’s overall theories of phenomenological structuralism and consciousness field theory, is equivalent to the concept of God. I argue that the Absolute...
Consciousness generation and processing are vital topics in neuroscience. Researchers compare neural activation between conscious and unconscious conditions in order to identify the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC). Visual perception studies have explored the relationship between electroencephalography (EEG) signals and consciousness, leading to breakthroughs. Yet, inconsistencies in...
Polar angle asymmetries (PAAs), the differences in perceptual experiences and performance across different regions of the visual field are present in various paradigms and tasks of visual perception. Currently, research in this area is sparse, particularly regarding the influence of PAAs during perceptual illusions, highlighting a gap in visual cognition studies. We aim to fill this gap by...
NeuroethicsNovember 9, 2024Yoshiyuki Hayashi, Ryoji Sato
This article investigates a critical yet underexplored structural aspect of consciousness in the context of the practical ethics of neural organoid research: the unity of consciousness. We advocate for the necessity of the unified field, which has garnered substantial support from both philosophical and empirical standpoints, although the debate remains unresolved. We highlight the brainstem as...
The idea of pure perception —perception without any cognitive influence— is central to the science and philosophy of perception. For many, to be in a pure perceptual state is to be in a state whose content is nonconceptual, whose format is iconic, and whose phenomenology is unique. This paper explores this possibility and finds that the idea of pure perception, at least when defined in these...
Bebainan, a spiritual phenomenon unique to Bali, reflects the deep interconnection between mental health, religious beliefs, and supernatural perceptions in Balinese culture. Considered a form of spirit possession, bebainan is attributed to a bebai, a malevolent spirit invoked to harm an individual. This condition, marked by physical discomfort, altered consciousness, and uncharacteristic...