The phrase altered state of consciousness was coined in the 1970s and describes induced changes in one's mental state, almost always temporary. A synonymous phrase is "altered states of awareness".
An altered state of consciousness can come about accidentally through fever, sleep deprivation, starvation, oxygen deprivation, nitrogen narcosis (deep diving), or a traumatic accident. Intentionally it can sometimes be reached by the use of a sensory deprivation tank, hypnosis, meditation, prayer, or disciplines (e.g. yoga or Sufism). It is sometimes attained through the ingestion of recreational drugs, plant poisons, or psychedelic substances such as LSD, 2C-I, peyote, marijuana, mescaline, datura (Jimson weed), and alcohol.
Naturally occurring altered states of consciousness include channeling, dreams, premonitions, euphoria, ecstasy, limerence, out of body experiences, and "being in the zone" (athletics).
There have been recent MRI scans of people's brain while in altered states. Monks had different parts of their brain light up than normal people.
The uncollapsing theorem proposes that people in certain altered states can affect the quantum wavefunction of matter.
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