Skip to main content

Altered states of consciousness : experiences out of time and self / Marc Wittmann ; translated by Philippa Hurd

An exploration of the neural links between time perception and the sense of self through the study of altered states of consciousness. It analyses how experiences from meditation to neurological disorders clarify the foundations of human consciousness.

TAGS
Curated Derived
CONNECTIONS
No connections
LOCATION HISTORY
May 15, 2026 15:37
FULL RECORD

Accession Number: 14051

Site: Vernon O Content

Collection: N/A

Location: N/A

Binding Type: Hard Back

Book Images
Hover to see live images
Altered states of consciousness : experiences out of time and self / Marc Wittmann ; translated by Philippa Hurd live spine
Altered states of consciousness : experiences out of time and self / Marc Wittmann ; translated by Philippa Hurd cover
No live
vernon_accession 14051
vernon_id 22276
vernon_slug altered-states-of-consciousness-experiences-out-of-time-and-self-marc-wittmann-translated-by-philippa-hurd
vernon_authors Marc Wittmann, Philippa Hurd
vernon_tags Science, Psychology, Astronomy, Physical sciences, Time, Geodetic astronomy, Spherical astronomy, Space sciences, Altered states of consciousness, Consciousness, Space and time
vernon_production_date 2018
vernon_brief_description What altered states of consciousness-the dissolution of feelings of time and self-can tell us about the mystery of consciousness. During extraordinary moments of consciousness-shock, meditative states and sudden mystical revelations, out-of-body experiences, or drug intoxication-our senses of time and self are altered; we may even feel time and self dissolving. These experiences have long been ignored by mainstream science, or considered crazy fantasies. Recent research, however, has located the neural underpinnings of these altered states of mind. In this book, neuropsychologist Marc Wittmann shows how experiences that disturb or widen our everyday understanding of the self can help solve the mystery of consciousness. Wittmann explains that the relationship between consciousness of time and consciousness of self is close; in extreme circumstances, the experiences of space and self intensify and weaken together. He considers the emergence of the self in waking life and dreams; how our sense of time is distorted by extreme situations ranging from terror to mystical enlightenment; the experience of the moment; and the loss of time and self in such disorders as depression, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. Dostoyevsky reported godly bliss during epileptic seizures; neurologists are now investigating the phenomenon of the epileptic aura. Wittmann describes new studies of psychedelics that show how the brain builds consciousness of self and time, and discusses pilot programs that use hallucinogens to treat severe depression, anxiety, and addiction. If we want to understand our consciousness, our subjectivity, Wittmann argues, we must not be afraid to break new ground. Studying altered states of consciousness leads us directly to the heart of the matter: time and self, the foundations of consciousness. --Dust jacket.
vernon_object_type Books/Document genres/Information forms/Visual and Verbal Communication
vernon_locations Stored
vernon_ob_status Accessioned
vernon_isbn_issn 9780262038317
vernon_subject_people
vernon_subject_objects
vernon_subject_classes
vernon_last_sync_timestamp 2026-02-24 17:00
vernon_cover_image_id 22878
VERNON RECORD

Book Location

Mezzanine, S3 bay 28, shelf 3