Altered state of consciousness

Altered state of consciousness (ASC), also known as altered states of mind, is a term used in consciousness studies, psychology, psychiatry, and other related fields to describe significant changes in one's normal mental state. These changes can be brought about by various causes, including trauma, drug use, meditation, and hypnosis.

Definition

An altered state of consciousness is any condition which is significantly different from a normal waking beta wave state. The expression was coined by Arnold M. Ludwig in the 1960s to describe altered states like hypnosis, meditation, or drug-induced states.

Causes

Altered states of consciousness can be associated with artistic creativity or different focus levels. They can be shared with other people and are often shaped by cultural context. The causes of ASC can be divided into three groups: physiological, psychological, and pharmacological.

Physiological Causes

Physiological causes include sleep deprivation, starvation, hypoxia, and disease of the central nervous system.

Psychological Causes

Psychological causes include stress, meditation, hypnosis, and psychotherapy.

Pharmacological Causes

Pharmacological causes include alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, MDMA, psilocybin, LSD, and peyote.

Effects

The effects of altered states of consciousness can vary widely depending on the cause. They can include changes in cognition, perception, emotion, identity, time and space awareness, and/or motor control.

See also

• Consciousness
• Hypnosis
• Meditation
• Psychoactive drug
• Psychedelic experience