Altered states of consciousness (ASC)

The normal state of consciousness is one in which any given individual spends the major portion of his waking time. It is universally assumed that the normal state of one individual is quite similar to that of all others, even though the evidence for this is questionable. It may be argued that man has functioned in a multitude of states of consciousness and that different cultures have very different views concerning the recognition, utilization and attitudes towards altered states.

An altered state of consciousness for a given individual is one in which he clearly feels a qualitative shift in his pattern of mental functioning. That is, he feels not just a quantitative shift (more or less alert, more or less visual imagery, sharper or duller, etc), but also that some quality or qualities of his mental processes are different. In such a case mental functions operate that do not operate ordinarily and perceptual qualities appear that have no normal counterparts. It is acknowledged that there are numerous borderline cases in which the individual cannot clearly distinguish precisely in what way his state of consciousness is different from normal, particularly where the quantitative changes are very marked. Altered states of consciousness may be positive or pathological (as in schizophrenia, for example); and they may involve inactivity of the senses or the mind.

If, in the normal state of consciousness, one can consider external input to be balanced with sampling of stored material, then in altered state there is a disturbance of this base line. This occurs in natural sleep due to reduced cortical activity; but in altered states there is previous inculcation of set to remain awake at some level. This may be due to the intention of the individual or to the instructions of a hypnotist. There is awareness of some classes of input while others are not processed. Altered states of consciousness may be characterized by:< (1) Alterations in thinking, including subjective disturbances in concentration, attention, memory and judgement.

(2) Disturbed time sense, including a subjective feeling of timelessness.

(3) Loss of control, a sense of helplessness and loss of grasp of reality.

(4) Change in emotional expression, including sudden and unexpected displays of more primitive and intense emotion.

(5) Body image change, including a sense of depersonalization.

(6) Perceptual distortions, including hallucinations, increased visual imagery and illusions of every variety, lack of response to external stimuli.

(7) Change in meaning or significance, including feelings of profound insight, illumination and truth.

(8) Sense of the ineffable and inability to communicate the nature or essence of the experience.

(9) Feelings of rejuvenation.

(10) Hypersuggestibility.

Examples of altered states of consciousness include: hypnagogic state (borderline between waking and sleeping); dream consciousness; meditative state; hypnotic trance; psychedelic drug-induced state.

Altered states of consciousness may be induced by various physiological, psychological, or pharmacological manoeuvres or agents. The methods may be classified as:< (1) Reduction of exteroceptive stimulation and/or motor activity. This includes mental states resulting primarily from the absolute reduction of sensory input, the change in patterning of sensory data, or constant exposure to repetitive, monotonous stimulation.

(2) Increase of exteroceptive stimulation and/or motor activity and/or emotion. This includes excitatory mental states resulting primarily from sensory overload or bombardment, which may or may not be accompanied by strenuous physical activity or exertion and profound emotional and mental fatigue.

(3) Increased alertness or mental involvement. This includes mental states which appear to result primarily from focused or selective hyperalertness with resultant peripheral hypoalertness over a sustained period of time.

(4) Decreased alertness or relaxation of critical faculties. This includes mental states which appear to occur mainly as a result of a passive state of mind in which goal-directed thinking is minimal. It includes mystical, transcendental, or revelatory states (such as satori, samadhi, nirvana, cosmic consciousness) attained through meditation, as well as various trance states.

(5) Presence of somatological factors. This includes states arising primarily as a result of alterations to body chemistry or neurophysiology.

An altered state may be deliberately induced, as with taking psychedelic drugs or through some technique such as meditation or chanting, or may arise spontaneously, especially in cases of lack of sleep, malnutrition, or sensory deprivation or overload.