title: Psychobiology of altered states of consciousness.
abstract: The article reviews the current knowledge regarding altered states of consciousness (ASC) (a) occurring spontaneously, (b) evoked by physical and physiological stimulation, (c) induced by psychological means, and (d) caused by diseases. The emphasis is laid on psychological and neurobiological approaches. The phenomenological analysis of the multiple ASC resulted in 4 dimensions by which they can be characterized: activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics. The neurophysiological approach revealed that the different states of consciousness are mainly brought about by a compromised brain structure, transient changes in brain dynamics (disconnectivity), and neurochemical and metabolic processes. Besides these severe alterations, environmental stimuli, mental practices, and techniques of self-control can also temporarily alter brain functioning and conscious experience.
authors.affiliation: Center for Psychobiology and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Psychology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany. dieter.vaitl@psychol.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vaitl
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Birbaumer
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gruzelier
authors.forename: Graham A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Jamieson
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kotchoubey
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kübler
authors.forename: Dietrich
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: Wolfgang H R
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Miltner
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ott
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pütz
authors.forename: Gebhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sammer
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Strauch
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Strehl
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wackermann
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D003244:Consciousness Disorders; D004032:Diet; D004325:Dreams / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D013217:Starvation