Altered States of Consciousness: Evaluation of a voice‐hearing simulation during an immersive art exhibition
Early Intervention in Psychiatry October 1, 2018 S. Riches, Rich Maskey, R. Waddingham et al.
A new immersive art exhibition, Altered States of Consciousness, simulated the experience of hearing voices for members of the public in an art gallery and on the London Underground. Among 150 visitors who completed surveys before and after the exhibition, understanding of what it feels like to hear voices, compassion towards voice hearers, and comfort in talking about these experiences all increased significantly. Participants reported enjoying the simulation, learning from it, and not finding it stressful. The exhibition shows potential for improving public engagement and reducing stigma around voice-hearing and unusual sensory experiences.