Altered State of Consciousness

An altered state of consciousness is any condition in which your mind works significantly differently from your normal waking state. These changes can affect how you perceive reality, your emotions, and even physical sensations, and they can occur naturally or be triggered by various factors.

Table of contents

• What is an Altered State of Consciousness?
• History of the Term
• Different Types of Altered States
• What Causes Altered States
• Medical Causes and Emergencies
• Natural Methods to Induce Altered States
• Therapeutic Potential

What is an Altered State of Consciousness?

An altered state of consciousness (ASC) is any mental condition that is significantly different from a normal waking state. When you experience an altered state, your awareness, perception, emotions, or thinking patterns change in noticeable ways. These changes are almost always temporary^[1].

There is no single agreed-upon definition of altered states of consciousness because scientists must first define what a “normal” state of consciousness is, and this remains a matter of debate. However, experts generally agree that an altered state represents a sufficient change in how you experience reality or how your mind functions compared to your usual alert, waking state^[1].

These states can range from mild changes in awareness to intense, transformative experiences. During an altered state, you may notice changes in how you perceive time and space, your sense of self, or your emotional responses. While some altered states happen naturally as part of daily life, others may signal a medical emergency that requires immediate attention^[6].

History of the Term

The expression “altered state of consciousness” has been used in medicine and science for more than a century. By 1892, doctors were using this term in relation to hypnosis, a trance-like state of focused attention^[1][3].

In 1904, Max Mailhouse presented work using this term in relation to epilepsy, a brain disorder that causes seizures, and the expression is still used today in that context. However, it was not until 1966 that Arnold M. Ludwig brought the term into academic psychology, followed by Charles Tart who made it common usage starting in 1969^[1].

Altered states of consciousness are not a modern discovery. Humans have been using various methods to induce these states for more than 30,000 years. Ancient civilizations used excessive dancing, meditation, and mind-altering plants to change the activity of the mind^[3][5].

Different Types of Altered States

Medical professionals recognize several different levels of altered consciousness, particularly when these states indicate a medical problem. Understanding these levels helps doctors assess how serious a condition might be^[12].

Confusion is a mild form of altered consciousness where you may be easily distracted and slow to respond. You might not be sure who you are, where you are, or what time or date it is^[12].

Delirium involves severe confusion and disorientation. You may experience delusions (beliefs in things that are not real) or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that don’t exist). The degree of confusion may get better or worse over time^[12].

Lethargy or being obtunded means you are very tired and less aware of or interested in your surroundings. You may have trouble staying awake even though you can usually talk and follow directions^[12].

Stupor is a deep sleep-like state. You may wake up only when something loud or painful happens, and you might not be able to talk or follow directions well. You will fall back to sleep when left alone^[12].

Coma is the most severe altered state, where you cannot be awakened at all despite any attempts to rouse you^[12].

What Causes Altered States

Altered states of consciousness can be grouped into different categories based on what triggers them. Understanding these categories helps explain the wide variety of experiences people can have^[3][17].

Pharmacological causes involve substances that affect brain chemistry. These include psychoactive substances such as LSD, MDMA (ecstasy), cannabis, cocaine, and opioids like morphine or heroin. Even alcohol can alter consciousness. These substances work by shifting levels of neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers in the brain, causing changes in awareness and behavior^[3][17].

Psychological methods include practices like hypnosis, meditation, and even listening to music. Hypnosis can reduce your awareness of your surroundings while making you more responsive to suggestions. Meditation is used in many religious and spiritual practices to achieve a clear and calm mental state. Music therapy can enhance relaxation and decrease anxiety^[3][17].

Physical and physiological causes include sleep, which is one of the most common altered states we all experience. During sleep, we dream and temporarily disconnect from reality. Fasting, intense physical exercise, and sexual activity can also trigger altered states. Food and drink deprivation over extended periods can lead to a perceived separation from reality^[3][17].

Medical Causes and Emergencies

When altered mental status appears suddenly and unexpectedly, it may signal a serious medical problem requiring urgent care. These situations account for approximately 5 to 7 percent of all emergency medical calls^[9][12].

Many different medical conditions can cause sudden changes in consciousness. Central nervous system problems include brain bleeding, brain tumors, seizures, and stroke. The central nervous system is made up of your brain and spinal cord^[6].

Metabolic disturbances can dramatically affect consciousness. These include dehydration, low blood sugar, low blood oxygen, low sodium or calcium levels in the blood, and underactive thyroid. Each of these conditions prevents your body and brain from working normally^[6].

Infections such as urinary tract infections, encephalitis (brain inflammation), meningitis (inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord), and pneumonia can all cause altered mental status^[6].

Certain medications can cause altered consciousness as a side effect. These include anti-seizure medications, drugs that control involuntary muscle movements, steroids, sedatives, and sleeping pills. Even prescribed medications taken as directed can sometimes cause these effects^[6].

Other serious causes include shock, traumatic brain injury, and overdose or withdrawal from opioids, alcohol, or other controlled substances. Sleep deprivation can also lead to significant changes in mental function^[1][6].

When someone shows signs of altered mental status, they may appear confused, disoriented, agitated, or unusually sleepy. They may have trouble remembering things, speak incoherently, or behave in unusual ways. These symptoms require medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment^[6][9].

Natural Methods to Induce Altered States

Many people seek altered states of consciousness for personal growth, spiritual exploration, or therapeutic purposes. There are numerous non-drug methods available that can safely induce these states^[11][18].

Breathwork is a technique that involves deliberately changing your breathing patterns to influence your physical, mental, and emotional states. Holotropic breathwork, created in the 1970s by psychiatrists Stanislav and Christina Grof, uses regulated and speeded-up breathing to achieve a state of wholeness. This technique was specifically designed to induce altered states without drugs as a therapeutic aid^[11][18].

Meditation is widely used to achieve altered states of consciousness. Different meditation practices can lead to states of relaxation and heightened awareness, often helping people achieve spiritual or psychological insights. Regular meditation practice can help you experience a shift in consciousness where time and your sense of self feel different^[2][3].

Sensory deprivation reduces external stimuli to facilitate altered states. Isolation tanks, also called float tanks, are a popular approach. These tanks create a sense of weightlessness and detachment from the world. Studies show that people who use sensory deprivation tanks for float therapy often experience less stress and relief from symptoms of anxiety and depression, along with higher levels of optimism^[11][18].

Sound healing has been used by indigenous cultures for thousands of years. Chanting and rhythmic drumming were traditional methods to induce altered states. Modern sound healing practices like “sound baths” offer profound relaxation and can lead to visual experiences and altered perception of time and space. Sound therapy may work by stimulating increased activity in brain cells, creating new connections between neurons^[11][18].

Hypnosis shifts awareness to the subconscious mind, helping achieve relaxation of the body and reduced focus on external surroundings. Studies have shown hypnosis can effectively treat conditions like depression, anxiety, and emotional stress, and it is highly effective in helping people form new habits^[11][18].

Therapeutic Potential

Altered states of consciousness are increasingly recognized for their potential to help with mental health treatment. These states allow people to see their lives and themselves from different perspectives than the ordinary mind provides^[2][14].

Many people rely too heavily on their intellect when trying to solve emotional problems. They analyze themselves endlessly with little progress. Sometimes the smartest approach is to give your intellect a rest. When you only use the ordinary mode of consciousness, problems can become self-perpetuating, like being stuck in a hole and continuing to dig instead of looking for a ladder to climb out^[2][14].

Research suggests that the therapeutic value of altered states may lie in their ability to increase mental flexibility, insight, and acceptance. Many mental health concerns are associated with reduced psychological and cognitive flexibility—essentially, the brain and mind become stuck in patterns that are no longer useful^[7].

By introducing a powerful experience that shifts awareness into a broader perspective, it may be possible to help the mind become “unstuck.” This process, when conducted in a therapeutic context with ongoing support, can enhance treatment outcomes. The concept of entropy, which measures the amount of flexibility and uncertainty in a system, helps explain this process. Higher entropy means more flexibility and openness to change^[7].

Researchers at the University of Virginia are studying how altered states induced by substances like psilocybin might help people suffering from prolonged grief disorder. They are investigating how the deeply meaningful experiences people have during these states might play a role in the healing process^[4][10].

Studies show that between 30 and 55 percent of people experience at least one after-death communication during an altered state, such as during meditation or in the state between sleeping and waking. These experiences often provide great comfort and help with the grieving process^[4][10].

Healing through altered states involves more than just treating physical symptoms. True healing addresses the body, mind, and consciousness together. When these three elements function in harmony, health becomes possible. Altered states can help people move beyond their immediate suffering to explore deeper questions about reality and their place in the world^[8][15].