Experience with Altered States of Consciousness

Altered states of consciousness can occur with or without the use of psychedelic substances and have been part of the human experience across cultures, throughout history.

Altered states of consciousness are an important component in many different traditional cultural practices, especially among Indigenous Peoples since Time Immemorial and continue to this day, and likewise within most religious and cultural traditions around the world, such as observing periods of fasting, dancing, meditative, and other practices.

Video: Dr. Devon Christie on Psychedelics as a New Paradigm for Medicine

3:06

In this video, Dr. Devon Christie shares some of her personal experiences with altered states of consciousness.

Categories of Altered States of Consciousness

Vaitl (2015, p. 14) has suggested five categories of altered states of consciousness:

Please ensure that you read through all items before proceeding by selecting each of the images for examples.

Spontaneous

  • Daydreaming

  • Near-death experiences

Physical and Physiological

  • Fasting

  • Sex

Psychological

  • Music

  • Meditation

  • Cultural practices

  • Hypnosis

Pathological

  • Epilepsy

  • Brain damage

Pharmacological

  • Psychoactive substances

Since the provision of psychedelic-assisted therapy involves working with clients in alternate states of consciousness, personal experience with altered states of consciousness should be a prioritized health professional competency. Health professional experience with altered states of consciousness can help to build trust with clients and foster an environment where they feel more comfortable entering this new altered state guided by health professionals who have parallel lived experiences. Some experiences may include:

  • Prolonged meditation retreats

  • Breathwork

  • Invited to participate in drum, singing, or sweat-lodge ceremonies being led by Elders, Knowledge Keepers, or Indigenous community members

  • Solo wilderness journeys

  • Isolation tank immersion

  • Experiencing a psychedelic in a legal context where accessible

Note

Health professional should take great caution not to overlay their own experiences with altered states of consciousness onto the client in order to avoid limiting what is possible for clients.

References

Vaitl, Dieter (2012). Veränderte Bewusstseinszustände: Grundlagen - Techniken - Phänomenologie. Schattauer.