Alterates
Alterates, also known as alternative states of consciousness, are experiences that deviate from the typical waking state. These states can be induced through various methods, including meditation, hypnosis, and the use of psychoactive substances. Alterates are characterized by altered perceptions of reality, including changes in time, space, and self-awareness. They can range from mild states, such as daydreaming or trance, to more profound experiences like out-of-body experiences or near-death experiences.
The study of alterates falls under the broader field of consciousness research, which seeks to understand the
1. Hypnagogic and hypnopompic states: These are transitional states between wakefulness and sleep, often characterized by
2. Lucid dreaming: A state in which the dreamer becomes aware that they are dreaming and can
3. Out-of-body experiences (OBEs): A phenomenon where individuals feel as though their consciousness has separated from
4. Near-death experiences (NDEs): Altered states of consciousness reported by individuals who have been clinically dead
The causes of alterates are not fully understood, but they are believed to involve complex interactions between
Alterates have been the subject of numerous studies and have been explored in various cultural and spiritual