Psychobiology of Altered States of Consciousness.
Dieter Vaitl, Niels Birbaumer, John Gruzelier, Graham Jamieson, Boris Kotchoubey, Andrea Kübler, Dietrich Lehmann, Wolfgang H. R. Miltner, Ulrich Ott, Peter Pütz, Gebhard Sammer, Inge Strauch, Ute Strehl, Jiřı́ Wackermann, Thomas Weiß
Psychological Bulletin January 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.131.1.98 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAltered states of consciousness (ASC) can occur spontaneously, be evoked by physical or physiological stimulation, induced by psychological means, or caused by diseases. Psychological and neurobiological approaches reveal four dimensions characterizing ASC: activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics. Neurophysiologically, different states of consciousness arise from compromised brain structure, transient changes in brain dynamics (disconnectivity), and neurochemical and metabolic processes. Environmental stimuli, mental practices, and self-control techniques can also temporarily alter brain functioning and conscious experience.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Neurochemical Behavioral neuroscience Cognitive psychology Neurophysiology Cognition |
| Citations | 446 |
| Key finding | Altered states of consciousness can be characterized by four dimensions—activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics—and arise from neurophysiological changes including brain structure compromise, disconnectivity, and neurochemical/metabolic processes. |
Abstract
The article reviews the current knowledge regarding altered states of consciousness (ASC) (a) occurring spontaneously, (b) evoked by physical and physiological stimulation, (c) induced by psychological means, and (d) caused by diseases. The emphasis is laid on psychological and neurobiological approaches. The phenomenological analysis of the multiple ASC resulted in 4 dimensions by which they can be characterized: activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics. The neurophysiological approach revealed that the different states of consciousness are mainly brought about by a compromised brain structure, transient changes in brain dynamics (disconnectivity), and neurochemical and metabolic processes. Besides these severe alterations, environmental stimuli, mental practices, and techniques of self-control can also temporarily alter brain functioning and conscious experience.