ALTERED STATES
The term "altered states of consciousness" (or ASCs or altered states of mind) is attributed to psychiatrist Arnold M. Ludwig, M.D. who first used the term in 1966 to describe usually temporary physical and emotional states distinct from "normal" waking consciousness (beta brain rhythms which range from 12.5 to 30 Hz). Given this definition, alpha (7.5-12.5 Hz during closed-eye relaxation), theta (4-7 Hz during REM sleep and the transition from sleep to waking) and delta (0.1-3 Hz during deep, non-REM sleep) are all categories of altered states.
Often triggered or sustained through the use of psychoactive drugs, meditative practices, hypnosis, sensory and/or sleep deprivation or trauma, altered states are important elements in creativity, peak experiences, flow states, and other "non-ordinary" mental, emotional and physical processes that often result in mystical experiences, lucid dreaming and hallucinations.
The term "altered states of consciousness" grew in popularity with the 1969 publication of Dr. Charles T. Tart's book Altered States of Consciousness and the 1980 science fiction movie Altered States based on the novel by Paddy Chayefsky. J.J. Abrams acknowledged this movie as inspiration for the FOX television series Fringe. The characters Dr. Eddie Jessup (Altered States) and Dr. Walter Bishop (Fringe) were both based loosely on Dr. John C. Lilly, the researcher credited with the first scientific experiments using isolation tanks and psychoactive drugs (primarily LSD and Ketamine).
The term "altered states of consciousness" (or ASCs or altered states of mind) is attributed to psychiatrist Arnold M. Ludwig, M.D. who first used the term in 1966 to describe usually temporary physical and emotional states distinct from "normal" waking consciousness (beta brain rhythms which range from 12.5 to 30 Hz). Given this definition, alpha (7.5-12.5 Hz during closed-eye relaxation), theta (4-7 Hz during REM sleep and the transition from sleep to waking) and delta (0.1-3 Hz during deep, non-REM sleep) are all categories of altered states.
Often triggered or sustained through the use of psychoactive drugs, meditative practices, hypnosis, sensory and/or sleep deprivation or trauma, altered states are important elements in creativity, peak experiences, flow states, and other "non-ordinary" mental, emotional and physical processes that often result in mystical experiences, lucid dreaming and hallucinations.
The term "altered states of consciousness" grew in popularity with the 1969 publication of Dr. Charles T. Tart's book Altered States of Consciousness and the 1980 science fiction movie Altered States based on the novel by Paddy Chayefsky. J.J. Abrams acknowledged this movie as inspiration for the FOX television series Fringe. The characters Dr. Eddie Jessup (Altered States) and Dr. Walter Bishop (Fringe) were both based loosely on Dr. John C. Lilly, the researcher credited with the first scientific experiments using isolation tanks and psychoactive drugs (primarily LSD and Ketamine).