Sensearresting

Sensearresting is the intentional suppression or modulation of one or more human senses to alter perception, cognition, or behavior. It is generally described as a neologism rather than a formal scientific term, and its precise definition varies by author. In contemporary discussions, sensearresting may refer to techniques that temporarily reduce sensory input, or to cognitive strategies that redirect sensory processing.

Origins: The term emerged in the late 20th to early 21st century in speculative fiction and discussions of sensory processing; it is not widely adopted in peer-reviewed literature. It is sometimes used to discuss theoretical limits of consciousness under sensory deprivation or overload.

Mechanisms involve both physiological and psychological components. Physiologically, reduced input can alter thalamocortical gating and cortical responsiveness. Psychologically, selective attention and expectancy can suppress or reinterpret arriving stimuli. Noninvasive methods include sensory isolation, blindfolding, ear protection, and controlled environments; meditative or attentional training can induce states with reduced perceived sensory load. Invasive approaches, largely experimental and controversial, include neuromodulation or pharmacological agents that dampen sensory responsiveness.

Applications and safety: Applications are primarily theoretical or experimental, used to frame questions about perception, consciousness, and the limits of attention. Safety considerations include risk of isolation distress, sensory mismatch, and complications from pharmacological or invasive methods. As a term, sensearresting remains informal and is not standardized.

Related topics include sensory deprivation, sensory gating, attention, meditation, and altered states of consciousness.