Can training increase access to deeper states?

Short Answer

Training through meditation, breathwork, and contemplative practices can develop neural pathways that facilitate access to deeper altered states of consciousness.

Why This Matters

Regular practice strengthens specific brain networks associated with attention regulation and interoceptive awareness, which creates more stable pathways to altered states. This neuroplasticity results in practitioners developing greater control over their consciousness transitions and the ability to maintain awareness during deeper states. The training essentially builds the neural infrastructure needed to navigate non-ordinary states of consciousness with greater skill and reliability.

Where This Changes

Individual neuroplasticity varies significantly based on genetics, age, and baseline brain structure. Some practitioners reach plateau effects after years of training, while others may experience diminishing returns or require increasingly intensive practices to access deeper states.