Update of the Altered States Database (ASDB): 2023-12-31

The Altered States Database (ASDB) is an open data initiative that collects psychometric questionnaire data on subjective experiences from pharmacologically and non-pharmacologically induced altered states of consciousness. The current update adds data published in 2023, identified through a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines. Of 454 items screened, 13 journal articles were included: ten report on the 11-ASC, eight on the 5D-ASC, six on the MEQ-30, and one on the PCI. The ASDB now contains data on 22 substances and 13 techniques, from 198 journal articles and 847 datasets, accessible online.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The open data initiative Altered States Database (ASDB) collects psychometric questionnaire data on the subjective experiences of pharmacologically and non-pharmacologically induced altered states of consciousness. The ASDB is updated yearly and can be utilized by both researchers and non-scientists to access information or undertake further work on the data. The current update adds data published in the year 2023, taken from a systematic literature review adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 454 items were screened, resulting in 13 included journal articles, of which ten report on the 11-Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (11-ASC), eight on the 5D-ASC, six on the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ-30), and one on the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI). Cumulatively, the ASDB now contains data on 22 substances and 13 techniques to induce altered states (plus control substances/techniques), incorporating 198 journal articles and 847 single datasets. The ASDB can be accessed on www.asdb.info and on Open Science Framework (OSF; https://osf.io/8mbru).