Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2009-10
Altered States of Consciousness and Mystical Experiences during Sensory Isolation in Flotation Tank: Is the Highly Sensitive Personality Variable of Importance?
The aim of this study was to investigate if the highly sensitive personality variable affects the occurrence of mystical experiences and degree of altered states of consciousness during sensory isolation in flotation-tank. Forty-eight persons (20 males, 28 females) were included. Background variables and the Highly Sensitive Personality Scale (HSP) were assessed. The independent variable was derived from this scale, where two groups were formed: low sensitivity and high sensitivity. The treatment lasted 45 minutes in the flotation tank. Dependent variables were assessed through scales measuring mystical experiences and degree of altered states of consciousness. The group with highly sensitive persons experienced significantly more mystical experiences and higher degree of altered states of consciousness during the treatment compared to the other group. Also, the highly sensitive persons exhibited more stress and anxiety at arrival, but no differences in depression and optimism were found between the groups.
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