Neural filters to conscious awareness and the phenomena that reduce their impact.

Consciousness is normally constrained by neural filters—sensory receptors, the ascending reticular activating system, the thalamus, the default mode network, and left hemisphere language centers—that restrict perception to a narrow range of energy frequencies, structure space and time, and prioritize internal narratives. When activity in these filters is reduced or absent, as in near-death experiences, deep meditation, or psychedelic use, people may access wider awareness, transcend time and space, and experience ego dissolution. This expanded state might allow the mind to access intuitive, nonlocal information beyond the five senses, suggesting vast untapped potential for human awareness.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In this review, we examine studies suggesting that conscious or mental awareness is constrained by our neural filters. These filters include sensory receptors, the ascending reticular activating system and the thalamus, the default mode network, and left hemisphere language centers. These filters limit our perception of the world to a narrow range of energy frequencies, make sense of space and time, and prioritize internally generated narratives (associated with language and conceptuality). We then present studies indicating that when the activity within these filters is reduced or absent-such as in near-death experiences, deep meditation, or the use of psychedelic compounds-we may gain access to a wider awareness, experience transcendence of time and space, and ego dissolution. This expanded state might enable the mind to potentially access intuitive, nonlocal information beyond the limitations of the five senses.