Can altered states create feelings of unity or separation?
Short Answer
Altered states can produce both profound unity experiences and intense feelings of separation, depending on the specific state, individual psychology, and environmental context.
Why This Matters
These contrasting experiences result from different alterations in brain connectivity patterns. Unity feelings emerge when the default mode network—responsible for self-other boundaries—becomes less active, leading to dissolution of ego boundaries. Conversely, separation experiences occur when heightened activity in threat-detection systems amplifies the sense of isolation or alienation from others and the environment. This demonstrates how consciousness constructs our fundamental sense of connectedness through specific neural mechanisms.
Where This Changes
The same substance or technique can produce opposite effects based on dosage, setting, and individual mental state. Low doses of psychedelics typically enhance connection, while higher doses may initially create isolation before unity emerges.