TY - JOUR
T1 - A Consensus Taxonomy of Altered (Nonordinary) States of Consciousness
T2 - Bringing Order to Disarray
AU - Cardeña, Etzel
AU - Berkovich-Ohana, Aviva
AU - Valli, Katja
AU - Barttfeld, Pablo
AU - Gomez-Marin, Alex
AU - Greyson, Bruce
AU - Kumar, V. K.
AU - Laureys, Steven
AU - Luhrmann, Tanya Marie
AU - Newberg, Andrew
AU - Preller, Katrin H.
AU - Putnam, Frank W.
AU - Tagliazucchi, Enzo
AU - Walsh, Roger
AU - Carter, Olivia
AU - Yaden, David
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s)
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - This article presents a taxonomy of altered states of consciousness, primarily based on their central phenomenological features. Following taxonomic principles and a modified Delphi methodology, a multidisciplinary, international group identified eight distinct phenomenological/behavioral states (some with subcategories): proto and transitional, delirium, minimal to no awareness, experiential detachment, enhanced physicality, altered identity, imaginary/fantasy/visionary, and unity/mystical. We hope this taxonomy will be discussed and developed further, fostering conceptual clarity and stimulating research and integration across different specializations. A nuanced discussion of different states should reveal what is common and different across different triggers and antecedents of altered states of consciousness, and encourage their phenomenological, psychological, cultural, and neuroscientific understanding. This will pave the way for an integrated understanding of different modalities of experiencing.
AB - This article presents a taxonomy of altered states of consciousness, primarily based on their central phenomenological features. Following taxonomic principles and a modified Delphi methodology, a multidisciplinary, international group identified eight distinct phenomenological/behavioral states (some with subcategories): proto and transitional, delirium, minimal to no awareness, experiential detachment, enhanced physicality, altered identity, imaginary/fantasy/visionary, and unity/mystical. We hope this taxonomy will be discussed and developed further, fostering conceptual clarity and stimulating research and integration across different specializations. A nuanced discussion of different states should reveal what is common and different across different triggers and antecedents of altered states of consciousness, and encourage their phenomenological, psychological, cultural, and neuroscientific understanding. This will pave the way for an integrated understanding of different modalities of experiencing.
KW - altered states of consciousness
KW - alternate states of consciousness
KW - nonordinary states of consciousness
KW - phenomenology
KW - taxonomy
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105008583201
U2 - 10.1037/cns0000431
DO - 10.1037/cns0000431
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105008583201
SN - 2326-5523
JO - Psychology of Consciousness: Theory Research, and Practice
JF - Psychology of Consciousness: Theory Research, and Practice
ER -