To what extent do different levels of awareness exist? These are, in a nutshell, altered states of consciousness that vary from the normal awake experience. Meditation, medications, or even simply thinking too much may all bring on one of these moods. So how can one know whether they have entered one of these altered states? This post will discuss 10 indicators that you may have entered a psychedelic or other altered state of awareness.
What is an altered state of consciousness?
It’s necessary to establish what exactly is meant by “altered state of consciousness” before attempting to comprehend the warning indicators associated with such states. When we momentarily tap into a mental state that isn’t typically accessible to us, we enter what is known as an altered state of consciousness. Alternate states of consciousness may be induced on purpose or they can strike unexpectedly.
For What Purpose Do We Enter Psychedelic States?
The nature of consciousness
What we learn about the nature of consciousness through our experiences in these states of mind is invaluable. Consciousness, according to certain beliefs, is not something constructed in the brain but rather something inherent to the cosmos itself. A greater sense of purpose and connection may be possible in our lives via the use of psychedelics and other methods that induce altered states of consciousness.
The Role of the Brain
The brain plays a significant role in causing different levels of awareness. Our perspective of the world is the result of the brain’s processing of sensory input. The brain’s ability to induce altered states of consciousness depends on the kind of stimulation it receives.
Some areas of the brain have been proven to display increased activity during psychedelic experiences and other altered states of consciousness. During psychedelic experiences, for instance, the default mode network, which is in charge of our ego and autobiographical memories, becomes less active, resulting in a sensation of ego disintegration.
Having experienced an altered state of consciousness might manifest in a variety of ways:
Changes in perception
Perceptional shifts are a typical symptom of changed states of consciousness. Vision and hearing alterations, such as an increased perception of brightness in colors or volume in noises, are examples. Your perception of time and space may also shift.
Time Dilation
Psychedelic experiences often include a slowing or stretching of time. Time may seem to be going more slowly or more quickly than normal. This may be quite unsettling and make it hard to judge the passage of time.
Intense Emotions
The intensity of one’s feelings may also be amplified during a condition of altered awareness. Either your normal levels of happiness, love, and terror will skyrocket, or you will feel emotionally distant.
Vivid Imagery
Vivid vision is often accompanied by altered states of consciousness. Hallucinations and lucid dreams are two ways this might present itself. Things that aren’t really there could seem to you or happen to you.
Loss of sense of self
It’s possible to lose your identity during trances and other altered states of consciousness. This might emerge as a feeling of oneness with nature or a sense of belonging to a community.
Sensory Amplification
Sensory amplification is another symptom of an altered state of consciousness. This may manifest as an increased response to auditory, olfactory, or tactile stimuli. Certain noises may appear louder than normal, or the colors surrounding you may seem more vibrant.
Vivid Dreams or Nightmares
Dreams and nightmares may be more intense during altered states of awareness. This might include having nightmares that are scarier than normal or dreams that are more vivid or realistic than usual. The dreamer experiences lucid dreaming when they are able to influence the course of their dream due to an altered state of awareness.
Synesthesia
Synesthesia occurs when one sensory experience leads to an association with another sense. If you hear a specific sound, for instance, you can associate it with a certain hue. Synesthetic experiences are occasionally brought on by psychedelic drugs or other mind-altering substances.
Out-of-Body Experiences
Another symptom of altered states of consciousness is having an out-of-body experience. This may emerge as a sensation of weightlessness or a sense of seeing things from a new angle.
Spiritual Awakening
Lastly, a spiritual awakening is a possibility towards the end of certain altered states of consciousness. This has the potential to alter how you see the world and the role you play in it for the rest of your life.
Conclusion
Humans have been fascinated by people experiencing altered states of consciousness for millennia. While several variables contribute to these phenomenological shifts, neurological processes seem to be crucial. The world we see and the identity we feel may be drastically transformed when we enter an altered state of consciousness, whether via drugs, meditation, or anything else.