Altered States of Consciousness
Altered states of consciousness are mental conditions that differ significantly from normal waking awareness.
Overview
These states can occur during meditation, dreaming, hypnosis, extreme stress, or certain neurological conditions. In altered states, perception, time awareness, and sense of self may change.
Key Insight
Altered states show that human consciousness is flexible and can shift into different modes of awareness.
Scientific Status
Altered states are widely studied in psychology, neuroscience, and consciousness research.
How Researchers Study It
Researchers investigate altered states through brain imaging, sleep studies, meditation research, and controlled psychological experiments.
Quick Facts
- Field
- psychology, neuroscience
- Related Concepts
- lucid dream, trance, meditation
- Typical Context
- sleep, ritual, or extreme conditions
Related Terms
FAQ
Are altered states abnormal?
No. Many altered states, such as dreaming, occur naturally.