summary: A new study finds that altered states of consciousness (ASC), like those experienced during meditation, are more common than previously thought, with 45% of respondents reporting having experienced an ASC at least once, often with positive outcomes.
However, a small but significant number of people reported experiencing negative or even life-threatening suffering, highlighting the need for better support and understanding of these experiences.
Key Facts:
- Forty-five percent of respondents reported experiencing non-pharmacologically induced ASC.
- ASC is associated with both positive and negative well-being outcomes.
- Many people who experience negative outcomes do not seek help.
sauce: mass general
Practices such as yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and breathing techniques are growing in popularity due to their potential to improve health and well-being. The effects of these practices are mostly positive and sometimes transformative, but they are known to involve sometimes difficult shifts in consciousness.
A new study by a team that includes researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (a founding member of the Massachusetts General Brigham Health System) reveals that altered states of consciousness associated with meditation practices are much more common than expected. Ta.
While many reported positive, sometimes even transformative, outcomes from these experiences, for a significant minority, the experience was negative. The results will be published in the journal Mindfulness.
“As more people turn to mindfulness, meditation and other contemplation and mind-body practices, we thought that altered conditions and their effects might be common among the general population.
“We conducted a series of international surveys to find out, and found that such experiences are indeed widespread,” said lead author and director of the Meditation Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. said Matthew D. Sachet, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard University. school.
“Changes in status are almost always followed by positive and even transformative effects on well-being,” Sachet added. However, negative effects on well-being have also been reported in some cases, with a small number of individuals reporting significant suffering. ”
For the study, a panel of experts in psychiatry, neuroscience, meditation, and research design developed a questionnaire about experiences of altered states of consciousness.
Of 3,135 US and UK adults who responded to an online survey, 45% reported having experienced at least one non-pharmacologically induced altered state of consciousness in their lifetime.
This is much higher than expected, with estimates ranging from 5% (US) to 15% (UK) of the population practicing mindfulness.
Experiences included derealization (a feeling of being detached from the environment), a sense of oneness (a sense of unity or “oneness”), ecstatic excitement, vivid perceptions, changes in perceived size, body heat or electricity, out-of-body experiences, and perceptions of non-physical light.
Respondents reported a mix of positive and negative well-being after the altered state, with 13% reporting moderate or higher distress and 1.1% reporting life-threatening distress. ing. Of those who experienced distress, 63% did not seek help.
“Our research shows that altered states of consciousness are not extremely unusual or rare, but rather a common variation of normal human experience,” Satchett said.
“However, people who experience negative outcomes related to these altered conditions often do not seek help, and clinicians are ill-prepared to recognize or support these types of experiences. It turns out that it is.
“A certain percentage of people have difficulty integrating their experience of altered states into their existing concept of self and reality, contributing to what is considered a public health problem.”
Dr. Sachet noted that additional research is needed to identify individual characteristics associated with the experience of altered states of consciousness and the potential distress associated with these states. He also emphasized the importance of translating this research into patient care.
“Meditation and other practices should not be dismissed as inherently dangerous, but rather need to be better understood and supported so that meditators can realize the full potential of these practices.” he stated.
“As with psychotherapy, pharmacology or any other treatment tool, it’s important that we learn how to best implement and support people as we approach these powerful practices.”
He adds that “ancient meditation manuals based on wisdom traditions may help us classify and understand altered states of consciousness. These may offer guidance on how to better manage altered states when they are difficult. Clearly more research is needed to further explore and understand this possibility.”
“Clinical curricula on altered states of consciousness should be developed to better support clinicians caring for patients experiencing the suffering associated with this type of experience,” Sachet added.
“And those who teach meditation practices need to ensure that participants are aware of the potential risks,” he says.
“These types of safeguards combined will help ensure that these very promising and powerful practices are taught and experienced safely.”
About this awareness survey news
author: Noah Brown
sauce: Massachusetts General Hospital
contact: Noah Brown – General of the Masses
image: Image courtesy of Neuroscience News
Original research: Open access.
“Altered States of Consciousness Are Widely Prevalent but Clinically Undersupported: A Population Study” by Matthew D. Sacchet et al. Mindfulness
Abstract
Altered states of consciousness are widespread but clinically undersupported: a population study
the purpose
The introduction of practices that have the potential to change consciousness may be leading to an increase in emergent phenomena (EPs). Emergent phenomena (EPs) are sudden, unusual mental or physical experiences that are often interpreted as spiritual, mystical, energetic, or magical in nature. It is unclear how often such altered states of consciousness occur and what their clinical impact is.
Anecdotes and prior literature suggest that EP is common and underreported, and may be followed by positive or negative changes in well-being. We sought to complement previous evidence on the prevalence and impact of EP in the general population with large-scale quantitative measurements.
Method
We measured the prevalence of EP, although not mind-altering substances, through the completion of online surveys by representative samples of three international communities (yeah= 3135). The sampled communities were UK Qualtrics online panellists, his US-based MTurk employees, and readers of a popular rationalist blog. The sample was broadly representative of the underlying population.
result
Forty-five percent of participants reported experiencing at least one non-drug-induced EP in their life, including derealization (17%), feelings of belonging (15%), ecstatic excitement (15%), vivid perceptions (11%), changes in perceived magnitude (10%), bodily heat or electricity (9%), out-of-body experiences (8%), and perceptions of non-physical light (5%). Respondents reported a mix of positive and negative euphoric outcomes after EP, with 13% reporting moderate to severe distress and 1.1% reporting life-threatening distress. Of those who experienced distress, 63% did not seek help.
conclusion
EP is widespread in research populations and can cause both positive and negative outcomes, although the latter does not seem to be adequately addressed by clinical practice.
