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Causes of Altered States of Consciousness

When analyzing altered states of consciousness an important facet is determining how the altered state arises. There are multiple ways to experience altered states of consciousness, which include the following: Accidental and Pathological, Intentional, Recreational, Spiritual, and lastly Religious.

Accidental and Pathological Causes

Accidental and pathological causes refer to unforeseen events, or illnesses. According to Dr. Jeffrey R. Avner, professor of clinical pediatrics, a crucial element to understanding accidental and pathological causes to altered states of consciousness (ASC) is that it begins with reduced self-awareness followed by reduced awareness in the environment (2006). When the reduction of self-awareness and environmental awareness take effect, they produce altered states of consciousness. The specific conditions below provide clarity on the types of conditions compromise accidental and pathological causes.

• Traumatic Experience

The first condition, traumatic experience, is defined as a lesion caused by an external force (Trauma. (n.d.) In Merriam Webster Dictionary online, 2013). Examples include impact to the brain caused by blunt force or even a car accident. The reason a traumatic experience causes altered states of consciousness is because it changes how the brain works. The external impact diverts the blood flow from the front of the brain to other areas. The front of the brain is known as the prefrontal cortex responsible for analytical thought (Kunsman, 2012). When the damage becomes uncontrollable, the patient experiences changes in behavior and impaired self-awareness. This is exactly when an ACS is experienced (Spikman et al 2013).

• Epilepsy

Another common cause is epilepsy, according to Medlineplus epilepsy can be described as a brain disorder that causes seizures (2013). During the seizure it is said that the patient will experience hallucinations and loss of mental control (Revonsuo, Chaplin, and Wedlund, 2008) causing temporary dissociation from reality. A study that was conducted with six epileptic patients and used the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) detected how the patients did indeed experienced hallucinations while a seizure is occurring (Korsnes M, Hugdahl K, Nygard M, Bjornæs H, 2010). This not only altered the patient’s behavioral pattern, but also made them dissociate from reality during that particular time frame.

• Oxygen Deficiency

The next item of interest is oxygen deficiency, questioning how oxygen deficiency impacts the brain is an important part of comprehending why ACS occurs. When there is oxygen deprivation in an environment. A study conducted by Edwards, Harris, and Berisher illustrated how 20 navy men were impacted when they were exposed to nitrous oxide for 10 minutes. The study confirmed that inhaling substances other than oxygen results in impaired self-awareness, which can produce ACS (1976).

• Infections

In addition to oxygen deprivation or deficiency, infections are a common pathological cause of ACS. A prime example of an infection includes meningitis. The medical website WEBMD states that meningitis is an infection that causes the coverings of the brain to swell. This particular infection occurs in children and young adults. This infection is primarily viral. Viral meningitis causes ACS and its symptoms include fevers and seizures (2010). The Impairment becomes visible the moment seizures begin to occur, this is when the patient enters the altered state of consciousness.

• Sleep Deprivation

Another type of deprivation that can cause ACS includes sleep deprivation. This refers to the loss of sleep that will provoke possible seizures, caused by fatigue. Sleep deprivation can be chronic or short-term depending on the severity of the patient’s condition. Many patients can even report hallucinations, because sleep deprivation impacts the brain as well. A Harvard Medical school study conducted in 2007, also indicated with the use of MRI that a sleep deprived brain was not capable of being in control of its’ sensorimotor functions. Therefore, there was impairment to the patient’s self-awareness. Patients were also prone to be a lot clumsier than if had they not been experiencing sleep deprivation.

• Fasting

Coupled with deprivation of sleep and oxygen, another form of deprivation includes fasting. Fasting can occur because of religious purposes or from psychological conditions such as anorexia. Fasting refers to the ability to willingly refrain from food and possibly drinks as well. Anorexia, as previously mentioned, is psychological disorder in which the patient is irrationally afraid of gaining weight. Therefore, he or she restricts the intake of calories on a daily basis. Anorexia can lead to seizures due to malnutrition (Hockenbury, Don, and Hockenbury, Sandra, 2008). The dissociation cause by fasting is not only life threatening but it is the reason why extended fasting periods can lead to ACS. Thus, the temporary dissociation from reality allows fasting to fall into the category of an ACS following the definition provided by Dr. Avner (2006).

• Psychosis

Lastly another pathological cause is psychosis otherwise known as a psychotic episode. In order to comprehend psychosis, it is important to determine what symptoms it also implies. Psychotic episodes often include delusions, paranoia, de-realization, depersonalization, and hallucinations (Revonsuo et al, 2008). Even with these symptoms studies have not been able to clearly identify when a person is reaching a higher level of risk for a psychotic episode (Schimmelmann, B., Walger, P., & Schultze-Lutter, F.,2013). The earlier people are treated for psychosis the more likely they are to avoid the devastating consequences that could lead to a psychotic disorder (Schimmelmann, B., Walger, P., & Schultze-Lutter, F. ,2013) Unfortunately, there are very few studies that have thoroughly investigated psychotic episodes. The one symptom that is very clear is the fact that it happens for a brief moment intermittently throughout a person’s life span. However, the ability to predict this disorder remains unclear. (Schimmelmann, B., Walger, P., & Schultze-Lutter, F. ,2013).

Reviewing the previous conditions for accidental and pathological causes we can come to understand that all of these accidental or pathological causes all share the component of reduced self-awareness. Therefore ACSs cannot only be caused naturally but they can be induced intentionally with methods that include hypnosis meditation amongst others. But there are ACSs that are caused by less recreational purposes; people who utilize illegal substances, or heavy dosage of medications, as well as large amounts of alcohol can indeed comply with the definition of an ACS (Revonsuo et al, 2008).