Healing and its discontents: Reflections on identity and altered states of consciousness by people who use psychedelics as medicine

This chapter explores altered states of consciousness in interactive video games and virtual reality applications. First, a brief overview of advances in the sound and graphics of video games is provided, which has led to ever-more immersive capabilities within the medium. Following this, a variety of games that represent states of intoxication, drug use, and hallucinations are discussed, in order to reveal how these states are portrayed with the aid of sound and music, and for what purpose. An alternative trajectory in games is also explored, as various synaesthetic titles are reviewed, which provide high-adrenaline experiences for ravers, and simulate dreams, meditation, or psychedelic states. Through the analysis of these, and building upon the previous chapters of Inner Sound, this chapter presents a conceptual model for ‘Altered States of Consciousness Simulations’: interactive audio-visual systems that represent altered states with regards to the sensory components of the experience.

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Synaesthetic Overdrive

10.1093/oso/9780190671181.003.0007 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan Weinel

Keyword(s):

Subjective Experience ◽

Visual Media ◽

Altered States Of Consciousness ◽

Altered States ◽

Visual Music ◽

Background Theory ◽

States Of Consciousness ◽

Feature Films ◽

Expanded Cinema ◽

Improved Accuracy

This chapter discusses altered states of consciousness in audio-visual media, such as films, psychedelic light shows, and VJ performances. First, some background theory is introduced, explaining the main categories of film sound, and what research tells us regarding the way in which sound influences the perception of visual images and vice versa. Following this background section, a tour is provided through various films that represent altered states of consciousness, including surrealist movies, ‘trance films’, and Hollywood feature films. These demonstrate a progression, where more recent movies are able to make use of digital audio and visual effects to represent the subjective experience of altered states with improved accuracy. Meanwhile, beyond the traditional confines of the cinema, ‘expanded cinema’ works such as visual music, psychedelic light shows, and VJ performances have provided increasingly sophisticated synaesthetic experiences, which are designed to transform the consciousness of their audience.

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THE CONCEPT OF ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND HOW IT HELPS US UNDERSTAND THE DRUG SCENE

The Medical Journal of Australia ◽

10.5694/j.1326-5377.1975.tb106400.x ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 2 (23) ◽

pp. 882-884

Author(s):

ROBERT PIGOTT

Keyword(s):

Altered States Of Consciousness ◽

Altered States ◽

States Of Consciousness

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A qualitative and quantitative account of patient’s experiences of ketamine and its antidepressant properties

Journal of Psychopharmacology ◽

10.1177/0269881121998321 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026988112199832

Author(s):

Rachael L Sumner ◽

Emme Chacko ◽

Rebecca McMillan ◽

Meg J Spriggs ◽

Christie Anderson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Major Depressive Disorder ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Qualitative Interview ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Altered States Of Consciousness ◽

Altered States ◽

Major Depressive ◽

States Of Consciousness

Background: Ketamine is central to one of the most rapidly growing areas of neuroscientific research into novel treatments for depression. Limited research has indicated that the psychedelic properties of ketamine may play a role in its antidepressant effects. Aim: The aim of the current study was to explore the psychedelic experiences and sustained impact of ketamine in major depressive disorder. Methods: In the current study, ketamine (0.44 mg/kg) was administered to 32 volunteers with major depressive disorder in a crossover design with the active-placebo remifentanil, in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment. The 11-dimension altered states of consciousness questionnaire and individual qualitative interviews were used to capture the acute psychedelic experience. The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and further interviewing explored lasting effects. The second qualitative interview took place ⩾3 weeks post-ketamine. Results: Greater antidepressant response (reduction in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale at 24 h) correlated with the 11-dimension altered states of consciousness dimensions: spirituality, experience of unity, and insight. The first qualitative interview revealed that all participants experienced perceptual changes. Additional themes emerged including loss of control and emotional and mood changes. The final interview showed evidence of a psychedelic afterglow, and changes to perspective on life, people, and problems, as well as changes to how participants felt about their depression and treatments. Conclusions: The current study provides preliminary evidence for a role of the psychedelic experience and afterglow in ketamine’s antidepressant properties. Reflexive thematic analysis provided a wealth of information on participants’ experience of the study and demonstrated the psychedelic properties of ketamine are not fully captured by commonly used questionnaires.

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