Altered state of consciousness

An altered state of consciousness (ASC), or altered state of mind, is any condition which is significantly different from a normal waking state.^[1] The expression was used in 1966 by Arnold M. Ludwig,^[2] and brought into common usage by Charles Tart.^[3][4] It describes induced changes in one's mental state, almost always temporary. A synonymous phrase is "altered state of awareness".

Altered states of consciousness can be associated with artistic creativity,^[5] or different focus levels. They also can be shared between people and studied as a subject of sociological research.^[6]

1. ↑ In the normal waking state the brain wave pattern is called a beta wave. Bundzen P.V; Korotkov K.G. & Unestahl L.E. 2002 (2002). "Altered states of consciousness: review of experimental data obtained with a multiple techniques approach". J. Alternative Complementary Medicine. 8 (2): 153–65. doi:10.1089/107555302317371442. PMID 12006123.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
2. ↑ Ludwig, Arnold M. 1966 (1966). "Altered states of consciousness (presentation to symposium on Possession States in Primitive People)". Archives of General Psychiatry. 15 (3): 225–234. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1966.01730150001001. PMID 5330058. Retrieved 29 September 2010.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
3. ↑ Tart, Charles T. 1969 (1969). Altered states of consciousness: a book of readings. New York: Wiley. ISBN 0-471-84560-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
4. ↑ Tart, Charles T. 2001 (December 2000). States of consciousness. Backinprint.com. ISBN 0-595-15196-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
5. ↑ Lombardo G.T. 2007 (2007). "An inquiry into the sources of poetic vision: Part I – the path to inspiration". J Am Acad Psychoanal Dyn Psychiatry. 35 (3): 351–71. doi:10.1521/jaap.2007.35.3.351. PMID 17907906.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)^{[permanent dead link]}
6. ↑ Spivak D. 2009. "Altered states of society: a tentative approach". A world in transition: humankind and nature. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic: 33–42. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2013-09-01.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)