A recent study by researchers at Cambridge University found that mindfulness training allowed participants to experience “disembodiment and integration,” An altered state of consciousness.
“Mindfulness practices can induce altered states of consciousness — deep relaxation, insight, and clarity — that can profoundly transform how you experience yourself and the world,” says Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program.
American Psychological Association Mindfulness is defined as being aware of one’s inner state and surroundings. By observing one’s thoughts, feelings, and other present experiences without judging or reacting, mindfulness helps one avoid destructive or automatic habits and reactions.
Mindfulness-based programs have surged in popularity in recent years: A survey of British adults found that 15% said they had practiced some form of mindfulness during their lifetime. and 45 to 55 percent Meditation statistics for 2024 show that 50% of Americans meditate weekly.Mindfulness has been used to reduce stress and manage depression and anxiety, while testimonials suggest that mindfulness can also alter perceptions of self and boundaries, mimicking the effects caused by psychotropic drugs.
Between September 2015 and January 2016, researchers led by Dr. Giulietta Galante from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Psychiatry conducted a randomized controlled trial to examine and evaluate the effects of mindfulness training and how students can cope with stress during exams. The results showed that such practices may help students at risk of developing mental health problems.
“Although there is anecdotal evidence that people who practice mindfulness have a changed perception of themselves and the world around them, it is difficult to know whether these experiences are the result of mindfulness practice or whether people who are more likely to have these experiences are also more likely to practice mindfulness,” Galante said.
“We were conducting a randomized trial of mindfulness practice with several hundred students at Cambridge University, so we realized that this trial would give us an opportunity to explore this issue further,” she added.
One year after the participants had taken part in the study, the research team followed up with each participant to see if they had experienced any altered states of consciousness. A total of 670 participants took part in the randomized trial, and one-third of the mindfulness and control groups completed questionnaires about their experiences with altered states of consciousness.
In the second part of the study, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of 11 “dimensions” that the researchers categorised as guidelines. Areas considered included spiritual experiences, states of bliss and the sense of unity that participants felt. A sensation of boundaries and time dissolving and being perceived in an “integrated way.” The researchers also investigated feelings of disembodiment, floating, or the dissolving of bodily boundaries, which may facilitate experiences of intense unity.
The study showed that people who had previously undergone mindfulness training were twice as likely to experience feelings of belonging and disembodiment compared to a control group.
Dr. Galante, a mindfulness practitioner himself, has personally experienced these kinds of shifts in consciousness: “We can’t say for sure, but our findings at least suggest that mindfulness training may induce these feelings of belonging and disembodiment. This is consistent with other research showing that people who practice mindfulness training are more likely to report feeling a loosening of their boundaries and an expanded spatial awareness beyond their physical body.”
The researchers found that the more time you spend in formal mindfulness practice, the more likely you are to experience a sense of unity, detachment from your body, and states of bliss.
People who individually reported meditating in the six months prior to the study were surveyed to see if they experienced any changes in awareness while meditating. In this subsample of 73 participants, 43 percent reported experiencing a sense of oneness during meditation, 47 percent experienced states of bliss, 29 percent had out-of-body experiences, and 25 percent reported insightful experiences.
Although many altered states of consciousness are often characterized as pleasurable experiences, this is not always true. Dr. Galante emphasizes the importance of teachers and students being open to recognizing and discussing these experiences. However, she noted that the most common and intense experiences are usually free of unpleasant characteristics, and bliss is described as pleasurable, whereas experiences such as out-of-body experiences or changes in self-perception may be perceived as unpleasant or surprising, especially if unexpected.
“It’s really important for people who practice mindfulness to know that they may encounter these experiences so that when they do occur, they don’t feel anxious,” Galante said.
“While their experiences may be completely normal, they may find it helpful to speak to a mindfulness teacher and should consider speaking to a doctor if they feel like they’re experiencing something negative.”
Chrissy Newton is a PR professional and founder of VOCAB Communications. She hosts the Rebelliously Curious podcast. Debriefing YouTube Channel. Follow her on: Chrissy Newton and Chrissy Newton.
