Abstract

The fact that the wet mush of neurons you have between your ears can generate conscious experience is really quite remarkable. The fact that such conscious experience can be altered in the strangest of ways, even more so. How do changes in neural chemistry or activity give rise to changes in phenomenology? What kinds of “perturbations,” pharmacological or otherwise, induce these changes in normal waking consciousness? In this introductory talk, we will discuss the field of Altered States of Consciousness (ASC) as a valuable resource in consciousness neuroscience research. We will outline basic methodology and theories about ASCs, and focus on two particular examples: states of flow during musical improvisation, and the psychedelic state.

See https://www.facebook.com/events/483930068970388/