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A Consensus Taxonomy of Altered (Nonordinary) States of Consciousness: : Bringing Order to Disarray

Cardeña, Etzel LU orcid ; Berkovich-Ohana, Aviva ; Valli, Katja ; Barttfeld, Pablo ; Gomez-Marin, Alex ; Greyson, Bruce ; Kumar, V. H. ; Laureys, Steven ; Luhrmann, Tanya and Newberg, Andrew , et al. (2025) In Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice
Abstract
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... (More)
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. (Less)
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
altered state of consciousness, alternate states of consciousness, nonordinary states of consciousness, taxonomy, Phenomenology of Large extra dimensions
in
Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice
publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
external identifiers
  • scopus:105008583201
ISSN
2326-5523
DOI
10.1037/cns0000431
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
40ccf9dc-650e-467f-88d5-a72d57874da6
date added to LUP
2025-06-19 14:04:30
date last changed
2025-07-12 04:01:19
@article{40ccf9dc-650e-467f-88d5-a72d57874da6,
  abstract     = {{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.}},
  author       = {{Cardeña, Etzel and Berkovich-Ohana, Aviva and Valli, Katja and Barttfeld, Pablo and Gomez-Marin, Alex and Greyson, Bruce and Kumar, V. H. and Laureys, Steven and Luhrmann, Tanya and Newberg, Andrew and Preller, Katrin H. and Putnam, Frank W. and Tagliazucchi, Enzo and Walsh, Roger and Carter, Olivia and Yaden, David}},
  issn         = {{2326-5523}},
  keywords     = {{altered state of consciousness; alternate states of consciousness; nonordinary states of consciousness; taxonomy; Phenomenology of Large extra dimensions}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{American Psychological Association (APA)}},
  series       = {{Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice}},
  title        = {{A Consensus Taxonomy of Altered (Nonordinary) States of Consciousness: : Bringing Order to Disarray}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cns0000431}},
  doi          = {{10.1037/cns0000431}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}