Cited by 448Paranormal Experiences and BeliefsPhilosophy and Theoretical SciencePsychedelics and Drug Studies

Psychobiology of Altered States of Consciousness.

Vaitl, Dieter, Birbaumer, Niels, Gruzelier, John, Jamieson, Graham A., Kotchoubey, Boris, Kübler, Andrea, Lehmann, Dietrich, Miltner, Wolfgang H. R. +7 more·2005·Psychological Bulletin

Abstract

The article reviews the current knowledge regarding altered states of consciousness (ASC) (a) occurring spontaneously, (b) evoked by physical and physiological stimulation, (c) induced by psychological means, 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 they can be characterized: activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics. The neurophysiological approach revealed that the different states of consciousness are mainly brought about by a compromised brain structure, transient changes in brain dynamics (disconnectivity), and neurochemical and metabolic processes. Besides these severe alterations, environmental stimuli, mental practices, and techniques of self-control can also temporarily alter brain functioning and conscious experience.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0033-2909.131.1.98

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Authors
Vaitl, D., Birbaumer, N., Gruzelier, J., Jamieson, G. A., Kotchoubey, B., Kübler, A., Lehmann, D., Miltner, W. H. R., Ott, U., Pütz, P., Sammer, G., Strauch, I., Strehl, U., Wackermann, J., & Weiss, T.
Affiliations
  • Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen (DE)
  • University of Tübingen (DE)
  • Imperial College London (GB)
  • University of Zurich (CH)
  • Friedrich Schiller University Jena (DE)
  • Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health (DE)
Venue
Psychological Bulletin
Published
2005
Volume
131
Issue
1
Pages
98-127
ISSN
  • 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1455
OpenAlex
W2144078056
Cited by
448
References
389
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 50 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 49 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 16
FWCI
18.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • EPubDev Repository (submittedVersion)
  • Institutional Research Information System (Università degli Studi di Trento) (submittedVersion)
  • RUNE (Research UNE) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
Keywords
altered states of consciousness, neurobiological mechanisms, self-awareness, brain metabolism, mental practice, self-control strategies
MeSH terms
Arousal, Brain, Consciousness Disorders, Diet, Dreams, Electroencephalography, Humans, Sleep, Starvation, Positron-Emission Tomography

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