Altered States of Consciousness

Altered states of consciousness are any states of awareness different from a person’s typical waking state of consciousness. These states can manifest through meditation, hypnosis, sleep, drugs, sensory deprivation and forms of physical activity. They can induce a variety of mental and physical changes, including changes in perception, mood, emotion, and cognitive processes. Altered states of consciousness can be used therapeutically to treat mental health issues and addiction, to boost creativity and problem-solving abilities, and to explore inner experience and spiritual development. They are also an important area of research in fields such as psychology, neurology, and neuroscience.