Revisiting Altered States of Consciousness and Cognition: Pitfalls of Past Research and Rising New Paradigms

In this article, the authors present the main issues that need to be addressed in order to renew and redefine the traditional approach to Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs). After a brief introduction shedding light on the genesis of this special issue and the rationale for the study of ASCs, attention is given to some conceptual clarifications required in the study of ASCs. The authors suggest that the alteration of consciousness can take place in four distinct ways: the alteration may concern the content, the quality, the modality and the level of consciousness. Next, several problems and methodological challenges posed by the scientific and naturalistic study of ASC are examined. Granted the inherent complexity of ASCs, the authors underscore the importance of integrative – transdisciplinary – and multidimensional approaches. All the articles included in the thematic issue are finally introduced and put into context.