A questionnaire survey of 295 adolescents and adults distinguished two types of altered states of consciousness. Superficially Altered States (SACS) involve disturbances in reality perception, self-awareness, and cognition, often occurring in everyday life, solitude, or during poor well-being. Profoundly Altered States (PASC) involve experiences related to the absolute, universal, eternal, or existential and religious matters, accompanied by extremely strong positive emotions and significantly fewer cognitive disturbances than SACS. PASC occur mainly in religious contexts. The findings suggest these two categories represent qualitatively different experiences.
Waking altered states of consciousness (ASC) are common among Polish university students. In a survey of 174 students, 96 percent reported experiencing Superficially Altered States of Consciousness (SACS), often with positive, pleasant feelings and quietness, while 75 percent reported Profoundly Altered States of Consciousness (PASC), accompanied by extremely strong positive emotions and experiences related to absolute, universal, or existential matters. SACS occur in everyday situations, whereas PASC arise mainly in religious or natural contexts. The findings support an integrated model of consciousness suggesting a natural, cyclical occurrence of differentiated waking states.