Can altered states alter sense of self?
Short Answer
Altered states can dramatically shift sense of self by disrupting the brain's default mode network, which maintains self-referential processing and personal identity boundaries.
Why This Matters
The default mode network, active during rest and introspection, creates our continuous narrative sense of self through connections between the medial prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex. Altered states from psychedelics, meditation, or trauma disrupt these neural pathways, leading to experiences of ego dissolution, expanded identity, or complete loss of self-other boundaries. This demonstrates that our sense of self is an active neural construction rather than a fixed entity.
Where This Changes
The intensity of self-alteration varies with the depth of the altered state and individual neurochemistry. Some people experience subtle shifts in self-perception, while others report complete ego dissolution or mystical unity experiences.