Altered state of consciousness
any condition which is significantly different from a normal waking state / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An altered state of consciousness (ASC), or altered state of mind, is any condition which is significantly different from a normal waking state.[1] The expression was used in 1966 by Arnold M. Ludwig,[2] and brought into common usage by Charles Tart.[3][4] It describes induced changes in one's mental state, almost always temporary. A synonymous phrase is "altered state of awareness".
Altered states of consciousness can be associated with artistic creativity,[5] or different focus levels. They also can be shared between people and studied as a subject of sociological research.[6]