Altered States of Consciousness

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What altered states of consciousness can reveal about the mystery of consciousness is explored through extraordinary experiences such as shock, meditation, mystical revelations, out-of-body experiences, and drug intoxication. These moments often lead to a dissolution of our senses of time and self, which have historically been dismissed by mainstream science. Recent research has begun to uncover the neural mechanisms behind these altered states. Neuropsychologist Marc Wittmann delves into how these experiences can illuminate the nature of consciousness. He highlights the close relationship between our consciousness of time and self, noting that in extreme situations, our perceptions of space and self can intensify or weaken together. Wittmann examines the emergence of self in both waking life and dreams, how extreme circumstances distort our sense of time, and the loss of time and self in conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. He references Dostoyevsky's experiences during seizures and the current neurological investigations into epileptic auras. Additionally, he discusses new studies on psychedelics and their potential for treating severe mental health issues. Wittmann argues that to truly understand consciousness and subjectivity, we must explore altered states, which are central to the concepts of time and self.