30/05/2026
I’ve been wanting to share something about altered states of consciousness for ages but just haven’t got round to it. So here goes!
Most of us move through life in what’s called a “normal” waking state of consciousness… but consciousness is far more flexible than we often realise.
Altered states of consciousness (ASC) are generally defined as “transient and reversible changes in subjective experience from an average normal, waking state that are noticeable from a first person perspective” (Fort et al, 2025).
Wright et al. (2024) found that many people experience profound altered states through contemplative and mindfulness-based practices, often describing feelings of awe, connection, peace, creativity, insight, and lasting shifts in how they relate to themselves and the world around them.
I find this so interesting because it suggests these states aren’t “far away” or rare… they’re already accessible through simple, embodied practices like meditation, time in nature, yoga, breathwork, and sound.
Therapeutic sound offers an accessible, gentle, and non-invasive way of exploring altered states of consciousness. Through long, sustained tones, gradual transitions between instruments, and carefully woven soundscapes, therapeutic sound can gently support the brain and body into deeply relaxed, non-ordinary states of awareness.
A recent review by Fort et al. (2025) identified eight common dimensions of ASC. See my slides for details about what it’s like to experience these states.
Have you ever noticed any of these shifts in your own experience? If so, I’d love to hear about them!
Further reading
Fort, L. D., Costines, C., Wittmann, M., Demertzi, A., & Schmidt, T. T. (2025). Classification schemes of altered states of consciousness. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 175, 106178.
Wright, M. J., Galante, J., Corneille, J. S., Grabovac, A., Ingram, D. M., & Sacchet, M. D. (2024). Altered states of consciousness are prevalent and insufficiently supported clinically: A population survey. Mindfulness, 15, 1162–1175.
