Altered states of consciousness An ‘altered’ conscious state can be defined as a pattern of phenomenological properties recognizable by an individual (or group), or by an external observer of that individual (or group), as representing a major difference in behavior and experience from an ordinary baseline pattern of waking consciousness. An ‘altered state’ involves changes in a number of those phenomenological properties such as emotions, intentions, perceptions, imagery, and other so-called ‘subsystems’ of consciousness. Both dreaming and nondreaming sleep differ from baseline consciousness, thus qualifying as ‘altered states’; so do variants in wakefulness resulting from meditation, prayer, mediumistic activity, ‘peak experiences’ in nature, and other ‘spiritual’ experiences. Studying the phenomenology (or subjective experience) of an ‘altered state’ can be accomplished through observation, self-reports, interviews, or administration of such instruments as the Pekala scales.
Changes in consciousness Changes in patterns of phenomenological properties can be brought about by contemplative, sexual, athletic, recreational, and other pleasant behaviors as well as by unpleasant ordeals such as torture, starvation, and trauma, or alleged ‘possession’ by discarnate entities. Psychopathology provides additional examples, such as dissociative and mood disorders, post-traumatic stress reactions, and psychotic episodes. Both pharmaceutical drugs and psychoactive plants may produce changes in one's phenomenology.
