Psychobiology of Altered States of Consciousness

D Vaitl; N Birbaumer; G Sammer; I Strauch; U Strehl; J Wackermann; T Weiss; J Gruzelier; G Jamieson; B Kotchoubey; A Kubler; D Lehmann; WHR Miltner; U Ott; P Putz

doi:10.1037/0033-2909.131.1.98

Psychobiology of Altered States of Consciousness

D Vaitl
, N Birbaumer
, G Sammer
, I Strauch
, U Strehl
, J Wackermann
, T Weiss
, J Gruzelier
, G Jamieson
, B Kotchoubey
, A Kubler
, D Lehmann
, WHR Miltner
, U Ott
, P Putz

School of Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

319 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The article reviews the current knowledge regarding altered states of consciousness (ASC) (a) occurringspontaneously, (b) evoked by physical and physiological stimulation, (c) induced by psychologicalmeans, 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 theycan be characterized: activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics. The neurophysiologicalapproach revealed that the different states of consciousness are mainly brought about by acompromised brain structure, transient changes in brain dynamics (disconnectivity), and neurochemicaland metabolic processes. Besides these severe alterations, environmental stimuli, mental practices, andtechniques of self-control can also temporarily alter brain functioning and conscious experience.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	98-127
Journal	Psychological Bulletin
Volume	131
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.131.1.98
Publication status	Published - 2005

Keywords

Biological Psychology (Neuropsychology, Psychopharmacology, Physiological Psychology)

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abstract = "The article reviews the current knowledge regarding altered states of consciousness (ASC) (a) occurringspontaneously, (b) evoked by physical and physiological stimulation, (c) induced by psychologicalmeans, 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 theycan be characterized: activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics. The neurophysiologicalapproach revealed that the different states of consciousness are mainly brought about by acompromised brain structure, transient changes in brain dynamics (disconnectivity), and neurochemicaland metabolic processes. Besides these severe alterations, environmental stimuli, mental practices, andtechniques of self-control can also temporarily alter brain functioning and conscious experience.",

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AU - Vaitl, D

AU - Birbaumer, N

AU - Sammer, G

AU - Strauch, I

AU - Strehl, U

AU - Wackermann, J

AU - Weiss, T

AU - Gruzelier, J

AU - Jamieson, G

AU - Kotchoubey, B

AU - Kubler, A

AU - Lehmann, D

AU - Miltner, WHR

AU - Ott, U

AU - Putz, P

PY - 2005

Y1 - 2005

N2 - The article reviews the current knowledge regarding altered states of consciousness (ASC) (a) occurringspontaneously, (b) evoked by physical and physiological stimulation, (c) induced by psychologicalmeans, 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 theycan be characterized: activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics. The neurophysiologicalapproach revealed that the different states of consciousness are mainly brought about by acompromised brain structure, transient changes in brain dynamics (disconnectivity), and neurochemicaland metabolic processes. Besides these severe alterations, environmental stimuli, mental practices, andtechniques of self-control can also temporarily alter brain functioning and conscious experience.

AB - The article reviews the current knowledge regarding altered states of consciousness (ASC) (a) occurringspontaneously, (b) evoked by physical and physiological stimulation, (c) induced by psychologicalmeans, 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 theycan be characterized: activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics. The neurophysiologicalapproach revealed that the different states of consciousness are mainly brought about by acompromised brain structure, transient changes in brain dynamics (disconnectivity), and neurochemicaland metabolic processes. Besides these severe alterations, environmental stimuli, mental practices, andtechniques of self-control can also temporarily alter brain functioning and conscious experience.

KW - Biological Psychology (Neuropsychology, Psychopharmacology, Physiological Psychology)

U2 - 10.1037/0033-2909.131.1.98

DO - 10.1037/0033-2909.131.1.98

M3 - Article

SN - 0033-2909

VL - 131

SP - 98

EP - 127

JO - Psychological Bulletin

JF - Psychological Bulletin

IS - 1

ER -

Psychobiology of Altered States of Consciousness

Abstract

Keywords

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