7 Ways to Have An Altered State of Consciousness Experience Without Psychoactive Drugs
Are you seeking a sober trip? Altered States of Consciousness aren't just exclusive to psychedelics. There are several ways you can have a psychedelic experience without using psychedelic substances like psilocybin, LSD, and DMT. We're covering the six ways you can have a psychedelic experience without consuming anything.
Holotropic Breathwork
In producing life-altering hallucinations, Holotropic Breathwork (HB) is an alternative practice for those seeking therapeutic benefits through altered states of consciousness. Holotropic Breathwork was developed in the 1970s by Stanislav "Stan" Grof, M.D., a psychiatrist and LSD researcher who has pioneered the field of psychedelics and consciousness, and his wife, Christina Grof. Stan Grof has written over 25 books on all sides of the spectrum of non-ordinary states and the human psyche. With well-renowned books like "The Way of The Psychonaut" and "Holotropic Breathwork," Grof holds a wealth of wisdom that he has given those who are curious a chance to explore it for themselves. Furthermore, it's no surprise, with Grof being a co-founder of Transpersonal Psychology, a sub-field in psychology that combines the metaphysical aspects of the human experience with modern psychology, that his innovation of Holotropic Breathwork does just that.
From the Greek words "holos," meaning whole, and "trepein," representing movement in a specific direction, Holotropic precisely means to move towards wholeness. In this case, we are using one's breath. As a form of self-healing and introspection, the practice includes managing and increasing one's breath to enhance the mental, physical, and emotional states inducing an altered state. Most often held by HB facilitators certified by the Grof Foundation, an HB group workshop typically lasts 2-3 hours. Although research on the benefits of Holotropic Breathwork is limited, some participants express profound experiences that increase self-awareness, relaxation, reduce stress, and even prompt enlightenment. Even more so, research has displayed that this practice can decrease death anxiety, increase self-esteem, and improve behavioral issues like controllingness, hostility, and neediness.
Ajna Light Therapy
Ajna Light Therapy was first developed in Thailand by Guy Harriman, a healer inspired by his mystical experiences. Since its introduction to the West, Ajna Light Therapy has gained popularity due to its ability to induce meditative-like states in individuals using light and sound frequencies. Frequencies used in this therapy typically range from 1Hz to 50Hz. Further, this device utilizes five pulsed 10W LED lights to activate the melanopsin pathway from the retina to the thalamocortical region of the brain and from there to the pineal gland and visual cortex.
Reports suggest that Ajna Light Therapy can help individuals achieve deep meditative states with little effort. The therapy involves pulsing a white light over the third eye to stimulate the pineal gland, which can produce vivid visuals of kaleidoscopes of colors and patterns. The experience may also lead to altered states of consciousness, with each session being unique and reflecting the individual's ever-changing consciousness.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, users have reported decreased stress levels, heightened intuition, and improved creativity. Some individuals have also reported an increased connection to their spiritual selves, leading to a greater sense of purpose and inner peace. With its ability to provide a unique and transformative experience, it's no wonder that Ajna Light Therapy continues to grow in popularity as a tool for personal growth and self-discovery.
Sensory Deprivation Tank
Commonly known as a "float tank" or "isolation tank," a sensory deprivation tank is a soundproof container filled with about a foot of saltwater. It was initially designed in 1954 by John C. Lilly, M.D., a scientific inspiration that has made significant contributions to understanding psychedelics, psychology, and human consciousness. Lily's intent in this creation was to further investigate human consciousness through deactivating external stimulation. His curiosities piqued the interest of other researchers, and commercial float tanks made their appearance in the 1970s. It is easy to find spa and float tank centers offering Lily's concept worldwide.
Studies have demonstrated that float therapy may decrease depression, anxiety, stress, and pain while increasing sleep quality. They have also shown a significant relationship between mindfulness and altered states of consciousness during float tank experiences. Many users have reported having hallucinations and increased creativity. Others have said transcendental experiences, spiritual insights, mind euphoria, and overall well-being. There have also been studies showing an improvement in recovery for athletes in relieving aches and pains.
The Inner Dance
Pi Villaraza discovered The Inner Dance (ID) as a way to connect with our innermost core energy. At Maia Earth Village in the Philippines, Villaraza trained hundreds of facilitators in this work, including Venant Wong, who later created the Kundalini Activation Process. Indigenous peoples have been working with this energy for millennia, and their wisdom is present in the rediscovery of this practice.
ID is said to increase prana, the life-force energy behind all of nature, often personified as Goddess Shakti in Hinduism. In a session, participants work with this energy, which may lead to ethereal experiences such as past-life regression, Kundalini awakenings, and more. Music is used to activate specific brainwave patterns that stimulate a waking dream-like state.
Perceptual changes and profound insights arise from expanded awareness and increased neuroplasticity. ID participants experience old systems of interpretation change gradually or instantaneously as a more healthy, healing and harmonic energy take hold. The Inner Dance provides a safe space for curious exploration, insight, and profound shifts in awareness.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis has proven to be controversial when considered as a distinct form of an altered state of consciousness. However, hypnosis participants have expressed entering a "trance state" when hypnotized. With approaches like Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT) or past life regression, clients have described seeing visions and "revisiting" past lives. Some of these users report a familiarity in the visualizations and an increased sense of self proceeding the session. Whether or not hypnosis is a definitive altered state of consciousness, its mysteriously-inducing trance states continue as a psychedelic-like enigma.
Eye-gazing
Although not commonly thought of as an altered state, eye-gazing may increase psychedelic-like hallucinations and dissociation in as little as 10 minutes of gazing into someone's eyes. In 2015, psychologist Giovanni Caputo from the University of Urbino conducted a study using 20 volunteers asked to gaze into each other's eyes, and the results were astounding.
The control group reported dissociative symptoms, face dysmorphia, distorted colors, loss of memory, and changes in sound perception. Comparably, Caputo had conducted a similar study in 2014, with participants gazing into their own eyes in a mirror for 7 minutes and had produced similar results. Anecdotal reports of solo eye-gazing have shown to possess the exact details of visions, face dysmorphia, color distortions, and sound distortions.
Anechoic Chamber
Created to eliminate sound and electromagnetic waves, an anechoic chamber allows you to experience complete sound deprivation. To keep outside noise out and inside noise wholly absorbed. The room is so silent that it registers a negative level of decibels, which is below human hearing capacity.
Experiencers have expressed that it's so quiet that they can hear their body function much louder than usual. Some visitors report hearing their heartbeat, digestive system, and blood flow within their body. Out-of-body experiences have also been detailed, along with mild hallucinations after sitting in the chamber after just a few minutes.
References
Caputo, Giovanni B. “Dissociation and Hallucinations in Dyads Engaged through Interpersonal Gazing.” Psychiatry Research, Elsevier, 11 June 2015, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178115003212.
Eveleth, Rose. “Earth's Quietest Place Will Drive You Crazy in 45 Minutes.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 17 Dec. 2013, www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/earths-quietest-place-will-drive-you-crazy-in-45-minutes-180948160/.
“Holotropic Breathwork.” Grof Transpersonal Training, www.holotropic.com/.
IE;, Wickramasekera. “Mysteries of Hypnosis and the Self Are Revealed by the Psychology and Neuroscience of Empathy.” The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25928682/.
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Author: Bre Jenkins
Bre Jenkins, a certified health coach, previously worked in mainstream wellness before shifting her focus to energy healing and psychedelic medicine to support deep healing and personal expansion. She is certified in Reiki levels 1, 2, and 3, as well as Inner Dance and Psychedelic Integration. Her work has been featured in major publications, and she is also a significant voice in the psychedelics space, contributing to renowned psychedelic companies such as Doubleblind Mag, Third Wave, The Ancestor Project, and more.