oldódások

Oldódások, also known as "altered states," are a concept with origins in Hungarian folklore, particularly in Eastern Europe. The term broadly refers to a state of mental or physical alteration that is often associated with shamanic practices, mysticism, or magical rituals. During an oldódás, individuals reportedly undergo a transformation, often accompanied by somatic symptoms such as tremors, sleep paralysis, or changes in vision.

Oldódások are commonly depicted as a state of heightened sensitivity or an altered state of consciousness. Practitioners claim to achieve this state through various means, including sensory deprivation, meditation, or enthralling rituals that invoke supernatural entities. In these scenarios, individuals allegedly tap into other realms or dimensions, gaining spiritual authority and insight. Typically, oldódások are associated with the rural or indigenous cultures of Eastern Europe.

Historical records of oldódások can be found in the folk romances of the Carpathian region, emphasizing the spiritual or mystical characteristics. These stories, often exaggerated, portray individuals who "transcend" the mundane world through rituals, seeking autonomy and self-discovery. Despite the mystique surrounding oldódások, there is little academic research available on the subject. Some experts link it to practicing shamanic or mystical rituals, though significance and methods may vary across cultures and individuals.

Some consider oldódások as a seeming talent among village communities, transporting one to invisible worlds, granting patients mystical insight, spells, healing names, yielding ambitions merely of other men. Research outlets have yet to be publicized on the advantages or disadvantages on the matter.