Altered state of consciousness facts for kids

An altered state of consciousness (often called an ASC) is when your mind feels very different from how it usually does when you are awake and alert. It's like your normal way of thinking, feeling, and sensing the world changes for a while.

This idea was first talked about in 1966 by a person named Arnold M. Ludwig. Another person, Charles Tart, helped make the term well-known. These changes in your mind are almost always temporary. You might also hear it called an "altered state of awareness."

Altered states of consciousness can be linked to being very creative or focusing deeply on something. Sometimes, these states can even be shared between people, and scientists study them to understand how our minds work.

How We Know About Altered States

When someone is in an altered state of consciousness, their brain waves can change. These brain waves have different speeds, like Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Scientists can measure these waves using a special machine called an EEG. It's like listening to the electrical signals in your brain.

Besides brain waves, people can also describe what they are experiencing. This is called a "subjective report." Others watching them might also notice changes in their behavior. These observations help us understand when someone is in an altered state.

Some examples of altered states of consciousness include:

Images for kids

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  This picture shows different ways to think about altered states of consciousness. It separates normal waking from sleep and dreams because they affect how we remember things. It also shows how some changes are temporary, like when you meditate, and others are more lasting, like some medical conditions.

See also

In Spanish: Estado alterado de conciencia para niños

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