WORKSHOP: The empirical study of altered states of consciousness - common standards in the psychometric assessment of subjective experiences.

Abstract

This workshop/tutorial was presented at the ASSC2017 conference in Bejing, the #DrugScience2017 conference in Berlin and the ASSC 2018 conference in Karkow:

Abstract:
The experimental induction of altered states of consciousness (ASCs) constitutes a unique research opportunity to relate changes in phenomenological states to underlying neuronal mechanisms. A variety of pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological methods, such as breathing techniques or sensory deprivation, can induce ASCs in humans. Subjective reports suggest that ASCs, even when induced by different methods, share certain aspects of experiences. To clarify if shared subjective experiences also share neuronal mechanisms, an accurate psychometric assessment of subjects’ experiences is necessary. Multiple questionnaires have been developed based on qualitative reports and philosophical conceptualizations to quantify the phenomenology of ASCs. Here, I present an overview on available psychometric tools, their theoretical background, and validation. I will discuss the questionnaires which cover a broad range of different experiences in contrast to those that were designed to assess induction method specific effects, e.g., the effects typical to hallucinogens. Addressing a broad range of ASC experiences is required for the identification of common phenomenological structures of differently-induced ASCs. Based on their phenomenological scope and on how much they have been used in previous studies, I present recommendations for questionnaires to assess ASC phenomena in future neuroscientific experiments. Common standards for this rapidly extending body of research will foster comparability across different phenomenological states (‘phenomenological patterns’) and different studies. The comparison across studies represents an empirical framework to test how alterations in subjective experiences can be mapped onto brain functions and related to current theories on global brain function.

Full text

Workshop
The empirical study of
altered states of consciousness
Common standards in the psychometric assessment of subjective experiences
26th June 2018
ASSC 2018 - Krakow
by Dr. Timo Torsten Schmidt

Part IIntroduction and Definition of ASCs
History and current research on ASCs
Taxonomizing induction methods for ASCs
Part II
Challenges in the measurement of ASC phenomena
Questionnaires to quantify ASC experiences
Study design issues
Part III
The Altered States Database www.asdb.info
Research Perspective: Phenomenoconnectomics
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Conscious vs. subliminal
processing Levels of consciousness
Masking, Priming,
Perithreshold stimulation
„How conscious somebody is“,
(e.g. coma, locked-in, anaesthesia)
Consciousness content
Perception, Imagery,
Working memory
Consciousness disturbances
Psychopathologies
(e.g. Schizophrenia, Depression, Anxiety)
CONSCIOUSNESS
RESEARCH Altered states
of wakeful
consciousness
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

The induction of ASCs can be utilized as
reversible experimental manipulation in
neuroimaging studies.
Thereby the neuronal mechanisms of
psychiatric-like symptoms can be mapped.
Computational Psychiatry: “With the advance of big
data science, and computational modeling, a radical
modern paradigm shift may be on the horizon.“
Huys, Maia, Frank (2016) Computational psychiatry as the bridge from neuroscience to clinical applications. NATURE
Neuroscience
Stephan, et al. (2016) Translational Perspectives for Computational Neuroimaging. NEURON
Wang, Krystal (2014) Computational Psychiatry. NEURON
Prof. Dr. John Krystal
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

The model psychosis approach assumes that drug-induced
states resemble major aspects of psychotic symtoms.
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Phenomenoconnectomics
The study of brain connectivity in relation to
phenomenologic states of consiousness.
Phenomenology Connectomics
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Phenomenoconnectomics is basic research for psychiatry
(but not a model psychosis approach) and assumes that:
•ASCs have common underlying ‚structures‘ of
experiences
•ASCs have common underlying ‚brain mechanisms‘
→Find the mapping between them
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

pathologic
states
Induced ASCsnormal fluctuations
sleep and
dream states
temporary
reversible
persisting residues
Average
wakeful state
altered states of wakeful consciousness
Schmidt, Majic (2016) [GERMAN] Empirische Untersuchung veränderter Bewusstseinszustände, Springer, Handbuch Psychoaktive Substanzen
Classification of Altered States of Consciousness (ASC)
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

… such a definition would require defining what a normal state of
consciousness is.
- Our world of subjective experiences appears to be by far not
uniform instead it undergoes continuous changes triggered by
internal and external influences.
- A certain degree of variability in our everyday wakeful
consciousness appears therefore normal to us and most people
have a strong intuition about which variations they experience as
normal fluctuations.
→Every state that strongly diverges from this average wakeful state
can be called an altered state of consciousness (ASC)
Pekala R (1991) Quantifying consciousness: An Empirical Approach, Springer
Passie T (2007) Bewusstseinszustände. Lit Verlag, Hamburg
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
Definition of Altered States of Consciousness (ASC)

- For empirical research it appears reasonable to relate
experimentally induced ASCs to some kind of average state
(baseline).
- This presumes that the induced ASC is of relatively short duration
(minutes, hours), which dissociates them from pathologic states.
- It appears also reasonable to dissociate them from quantitative
changes in only one particular cognitive aspect, such as elevated
arousal.
→Some authors speak about changes in the pattern (or structure,
scheme) of experiences that have to be changed in order to talk
about an ASC
Tart C (1990): Altered States of Consciousness. HarperCollins, New York 1990, 3. Ausgabe
Farthing GW (1991): Psychology of Consciousness. Prentice Hall, 1991/2
Metzner R (2005). Psychedelic, psychoactive, and addictive drugs and states of consciousness. Oxford University Press
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
Definition of Altered States of Consciousness (ASC)

As a working definition for neuroscientific research, it might suffice to presume that most
people have a strong intuition concerning which variability in their everyday wakeful state
feels normal to them. This variability of experience is considered as normal fluctuation, while
any state that is experienced to diverge significantly from it can be called an ASC. From an
experimental perspective it is also reasonable to compare ASC conditions to a baseline state –
a state subjectively judged as average, or normal. The comparison with a ‘normal’ baseline
requires that the ASC under investigation is of relatively short duration (minutes to hours),
which differentiates ASCs from most pathological conditions.
Importantly, it has been emphasized that an ASC is not a mere quantitative change in a single
cognitive function (e.g. elevated arousal). Instead, it is a multidimensional phenomenon.
Thereby, the relative intensity of multiple consciousness aspects constitute a
‘phenomenological pattern’ characterizing a particular state. Such ‘patterns’ have also been
referred to as relative changes in the ‘(basic) dimensions of consciousness’. For empirical
research, such patterns correspond to a multivariate combination of independent
‘consciousness factors’, which can be quantified via questionnaires. The ‘phenomenological
pattern’ results from the factor structure of the applied psychometric assessment, i.e. the
individual ratings, or factor scores, of a questionnaire.
Schmidt et al. (in prep) Quantifying the Phenomenology of Altered States of Consciousness
A working definition for neuroscience
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

→This working definition puts strong demands on the empirical
quantification of ‘phenomenological patterns’
Schmidt et al. (in prep) Quantifying the Phenomenology of Altered States of Consciousness
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Example: ‘phenomenological patterns’
Vollenweider FX, Kometer M (2010) The neurobiology of psychedelic drugs:… NATURE Neuroscience
Psilocybin Ketamine
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Part IIntroduction and Definition of ASCs
History and current research on ASCs
Taxonomizing induction methods for ASCs
Part II
Challenges in the measurement of ASC phenomena
Questionnaires to quantify ASC experiences
Study design issues
Part III
The Altered States Database www.asdb.info
Research Perspective: Phenomenoconnectomics
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Vollenweider FX, Kometer M (2010) The neurobiology of psychedelic drugs:… NATURE Neuroscience
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

- Model psychosis approach: Mainly comparisons to
Schizophrenic patients in PET, EEG, fMRI studies
- Therapeutic applications
Majic T*, Schmidt TT*, Gallinat J (2015) Peak experiences and the afterglow phenomenon:… J Psychopharmacology
Current neuroscientific research
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

- Model psychosis approach: Mainly comparisons to
Schizophrenic patients in PET, EEG, fMRI studies
- Therapeutic applications
Lecture by Tomislav Majic
https://vimeo.com/144928683
Majic T*, Schmidt TT*, Gallinat J (2015) Peak experiences and the afterglow phenomenon:… J Psychopharmacology
Current neuroscientific research
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

- Model psychosis approach: Mainly comparisons to
Schizophrenic patients in PET, EEG, fMRI studies
- Therapeutic applications
- Causal neuroscience
- Computational Psychiatry
- Dynamic causal modeling (DCM)
Current neuroscientific research
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Current neuroscientific research
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Part IIntroduction and Definition of ASCs
History and current research on ASCs
Taxonomizing induction methods for ASCs
Part II
Challenges in the measurement of ASC phenomena
Questionnaires to quantify ASC experiences
Study design issues
Part III
The Altered States Database www.asdb.info
Research Perspective: Phenomenoconnectomics
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Induction
Methods
pharmacological
non-pharmacological
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
non-pharmacological
Induction
Methods
pharmacological
fMRI-compatible
(maybe)
Jagannathan N, Räuker M, Vargas C, Schmidt TT (2016) Taxonomization
of Experimental Induction Methods for ASCs. Poster @ICPR Amsterdam

Nutt D, King LA, Philips LD (2010) Drug harms in the UK: a multicriteria decision analysis. The Lancet
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
Induction
Methods
pharmacological
non-pharmacological
fMRI-compatible
(maybe)
Jagannathan N, Räuker M, Vargas C, Schmidt TT (2016) Taxonomization
of Experimental Induction Methods for ASCs. Poster @ICPR Amsterdam

Organ
Systems Neuroscience
Neuroimaging
Cognitive Modeling
Cells
Cellular Neuroscience
Electrophysiology
Molecules
Molecular Neuroscience Drug development
What is the appropriate ‚level of observation‘ for empirical studies
of Altered States of Consciousness?
Receptor studies
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Method-based taxonomies: ASC classified by the induction method (IM)
Dittrich A (1985) [GERMAN] Äthiologie-unabhängige Strukturen veränderter Wachbewusstseinszustände, Enke, Stuttgart
Jagannathan N, Räuker M, Vargas C, Schmidt TT (2016) Taxonomization of Experimental Induction Methods for ASCs. Poster @ICPR Amsterdam
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

State-based taxonomies: ASCs classified based on the induced state,
independent of the mechanism
Metzner R (2005). Psychedelic, psychoactive, and addictive drugs and states of consciousness. Oxford University Press
Jagannathan N, Räuker M, Vargas C, Schmidt TT (2016) Taxonomization of Experimental Induction Methods for ASCs. Poster @ICPR Amsterdam
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Vaitl D, et al. (2005) Psychobiology of altered states of consciousness. Psychol Bull.
Jagannathan N, Räuker M, Vargas C, Schmidt TT (2016) Taxonomization of Experimental Induction Methods for ASCs. Poster @ICPR Amsterdam
State-based taxonomies: ASCs classified based on the induced state,
independent of the mechanism
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

www.wikipedia.com
‚Mixed‘ taxonomies: Somehow clustering ASCs and their IMs,
based on given nomenclature and intuitions.
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Neuroscience-based taxonomy: suggested for psychotropic agents,
based on knowledge of drug actions on the nervous system
Zohar J,…Nutt D (2015) A review of the current nomenclature for psychotropic agents… Eur Neuropsychopharm
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Corlett PR, Frith CD, Fletcher PC (2009) From drugs to deprication: … Psychopharmacology
A predictive coding ‚taxonomy‘: A focus on top-down and bottom-up
interactions
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Outlook: The role of active inference?
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Summary Part I
•An ASC is a multifactorial phenomenom
•Pharmacological and non-pharmacological induction methods
have overlapping phenomenology
•Taxonomization can help to learn on the underlying mechanisms
Goal in neuroscience is the mapping:
Phenomenology →Neuronal processes
→Meta-analyses are required
→Standardized quantification of ASC phenomena is required
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

5min
BREAK
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Part IIntroduction and Definition of ASCs
History and current research on ASCs
Taxonomizing induction methods for ASCs
Part II
Challenges in the measurement of ASC phenomena
Questionnaires to quantify ASC experiences
Study design issues
Part III
The Altered States Database www.asdb.info
Research Perspective: Phenomenoconnectomics
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

The ‚Qualia‘-problem
Subjective experiences of a person are ‚private‘, meaning that they are
only accessible from the first-person perspective.
(Alternative terminology: ‚inner state‘, ‚subjective experiences‘, ‚qualitative states‘, ‚quality of experiences‘, etc.)
Any description of subjective
experiences depends on language.
Such descriptions do not
guarantee that person#2 can
understand what person#1
experienced.
→How to deal with in in
empirical science?
The ‚inverted color spectrum‘-thought experiment
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

How to measure subjective experiences?
„Besides general epistemic limitations on the assessment of qualitative
experiences, additional difficulty is created by the fact that these
experiences often go beyond the previously experienced epistemic
range. It is not surprising that highly metaphoric terminology was
suggested to approximate new qualities of experience for which other
verbal labels appear inappropriate.”
Majic T*, Schmidt TT*, Gallinat J (2015) Peak experiences and the afterglow phenomenon:… J Psychopharmacology
→Proper conceptualization is required
→Operationalization is required
→Empirical evaluation of the tested constructs is required
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

How to empirically assess ‘phenomenological patterns’ ?
Introspection
Qualitative data: Typically conducted as structured interviews
→Work intense to transform data to allow statistical tests
→Very difficult to standardize (e.g. across languages, cultures)
Quantitative data: Questionnaires
→Responses standardized
→Reliability, validity and replicability measures can be taken
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Limitations/Confounders of introspection:
→Forgetting
→Reconstruction errors/confabulations
→Verbal description difficulties
→Substitution of inferences for observations
→Censorship
→Lack of independent verification
→Dissembling and social desirability
→Demand characteristics and experimenter effects
→Misinformation caused by an inadequate metric
→Inacccessibility related to state-specific memory
Cardeña, E., & Pekala R.J. (2014) Researching States of Consciousness and Anomalous Experiences. In American Psychological Association (APA)
(Hrsg.), Varieties of Anomalous Experience: Examining the Scientific Evidence (Aufl. 2, August 13, 2013 S. 21–47). ISBN: 978-1-4338-1529-4.
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Part IIntroduction and Definition of ASCs
History and current research on ASCs
Taxonomizing induction methods for ASCs
Part II
Challenges in the measurement of ASC phenomena
Questionnaires to quantify ASC experiences
Study design issues
Part III
The Altered States Database www.asdb.info
Research Perspective: Phenomenoconnectomics
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Schmidt et al. (in prep) Quantifying the Phenomenology of Altered States of Consciousness,
Schmidt, Majic (2016) [GERMAN] Empirische Untersuchung veränderter Bewusstseinszustände, Springer, Handbuch Psychoaktive Substanzen
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
5D-ASC
Altered States of Consciousenss Questionnaire
Conception: It was designed to allow comparisons
between differently induced states to
map basic dimensions of ASCs

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
5D-ASC
Altered States of Consciousenss Questionnaire
Conception: It was designed to allow comparisons
between differently induced states to
map basic dimensions of ASCs
Versions: APZ, OAV, OAVAV
Complexity: 96 items –5 dimensions(factors) or 11 factors

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
5D-ASC
Altered States of Consciousenss Questionnaire
Conception: It was designed to allow comparisons
between differently induced states to
map basic dimensions of ASCs
Versions: APZ, OAV, OAVAV
Complexity: 96 items –5 dimensions(factors) or 11 factors
Validation: good

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
5D-ASC
Altered States of Consciousenss Questionnaire
Languages: - German (validated)
- English: Dittrich et al (validated)
- English: Hasler et al. (unvalidated)
References:
5D-ASC: Dittrich A, Lamparter D, Maurer M (2006) 5D-ABZ: Fragebogen zur Erfassung Aussergewöhnlicher Bewusstseinszustände. Eine kurze
Einführung [5D-ASC: Questionnaire for the assessment of altered states of consciousness. A short introduction]. Zürich, Switzerland.
11D-Analysis: Studerus E, Gamma A, Vollenweider FX (2010) Psychometric evaluation of the altered states of consciousness rating scale (OAV).
Conception: It was designed to allow comparisons
between differently induced states to
map basic dimensions of ASCs
Versions: APZ, OAV, OAVAV
Complexity: 96 items –5 dimensions(factors) or 11 factors
Validation: excellent
Required time: ~20min
Response format: 5-point scale

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
HRS
Hallucinogenic rating scale
Conception: Developed by Rick Strassman for
the study of DMT and Hallucinogens
Versions: multiple refinements –v3.06
Complexity: 126 items –6 factors
Languages: English, German, Spanish
Reference:
Strassman RJ, Qualls CR, Uhlenhuth EH, Kellner R (1994) Dose-response study
of N,N-dimethyltryptamine in humans. II. Subjective effects and preliminary
results of a new rating scale. Arch Gen Psychiatry 51:98–108.
Validation: medium to critical
Required time: ~15 min
Response format: 5-point scale

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
PCI
Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory
Conception: Developed by Ron Pekala in the
context of hypnagogic states and
not yet used in pharmacologic studies
Versions: I/II-versions for randomization of order
Validation:
Complexity: 53 items –12 scales + 14 sub-scales

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
PCI
Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory
Conception: Developed by Ron Pekala in the
context of hypnagogic states and
not yet used in pharmacologic studies
Versions: I/II-versions for randomization of order
Complexity: 53 items –12 scales + 14 sub-scales
Languages: English, German, Spanish
Reference: Pekala R (1991) Quantifying Consciousness: An Empirical Approach. New York: Plenum Press.
Validation: good
Required time: ~15 min
Response format: 7-point scale

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
ARCI
Addiction Research Center Inventory
Conception: Developed as clinical tool
Multiple drug specific sub-parts
Versions: ARCI (full), ARCI (short)
Validation: mixed
Complexity: full: 550 items (38 scales); short:49 item (5 scales)

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
ARCI
Addiction Research Center Inventory
Conception: Developed as clinical tool
Multiple drug specific sub-parts
Versions: ARCI (full), ARCI (short)
Complexity: full: 550 items (38 scales); short:49 item (5 scales)
Response format: Yes/No (dichotomous)
Validation: mixed
Languages: English, German, Spanish
References:
ARCI(full): Haertzen CA, Hill HE, Belleville RE (1963) Development of the Addiction Research
Center Inventory (ARCI): Selection of items that are sensitive to the effects of various drugs.
Psychopharmacologia 4:155–166.
ARCI(short): Martin W, Sloan J, Sapira J, Jasinski D (1971) Physiologic, subjective, and behavioral
effects of amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, phenmetrazine, and methylphenidate in
man. Clin Pharmacol Ther 12:245–258.
Required time: ~10 min

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
MEQ
Mystical Experience Questionnaire
Conception: Not a full spectrum of ASC phenomena
Focus on mystical/peak experiences
Versions: MEQ, MEQ30
Complexity: 30 items in current version
Response format: 5-point scale
Validation: excellent
Languages: English, German, Spanish
References:
Original: Pahnke WN (1963) Drugs and mysticism: An analysis of the relationship between psychedelic
drugs and the mystical consciousness . Harvard University Press.
MEQ30: MacLean KA, Leoutsakos J-MS, Johnson MW, Griffiths RR (2012) Factor Analysis of the
Mystical Experience Questionnaire: A Study of Experiences Occasioned by the Hallucinogen Psilocybin.
J Sci Study Relig 51:721–737.
Required time: ~10 min

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
PSI
Psychomtomimetic States Inventory
Conception: Focus on negative psychotic like
experiences
Versions: -
Complexity: 48 items –6 scales
Response format: 4-point scale
Validation: mixed
Languages: English
Reference:
Mason OJ, Morgan CJM, Stefanovic A, Curran HV (2008) The Psychotomimetic States
Inventory (PSI): Measuring psychotic-type experiences from ketamine and cannabis. Schizophr
Res 103:138–142.
Required time: ~5 min

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
EDI
Ego-Dissolution Inventory
Conception: Focus on Ego-dissolution and -inflation
Versions: -
Complexity: 16 items –2 factors
Response format: visual-analog scale
Validation: good
Languages: English
German translation (in prep)
Reference:
Nour MM, Evans L, Nutt D, Carhart-Harris RL (2016) Ego-Dissolution and
Psychedelics: Validation of the Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI). Front Hum
Neurosci 10:269
Required time: ~5 min

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
CEQ
Challenging Experience Questionnaire
Conception: Focus on difficult/challenging experiences
as occuring during „bad trips“
Versions: -
Complexity: 26 items –7 factors
Response format: 6-point scale
Validation: good
Languages: English
German translation (in prep)
Reference:
Barrett FS, Bradstreet MP, Leoutsakos J-MS, Johnson MW, Griffiths RR (2016) The
Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with
psilocybin mushrooms. J Psychopharmacol 30:1279–1295
Required time: ~5 min

Schmidt et al. (in prep) Quantifying the Phenomenology of Altered States of Consciousness,
Schmidt, Majic (2016) [GERMAN] Empirische Untersuchung veränderter Bewusstseinszustände, Springer, Handbuch Psychoaktive Substanzen
How to decide which questionnaire to use:
- Conceptual considerations
- Validity criteria for questionnaires
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Schmidt et al. (in prep) Quantifying the Phenomenology of Altered States of Consciousness,
Schmidt, Majic (2016) [GERMAN] Empirische Untersuchung veränderter Bewusstseinszustände, Springer, Handbuch Psychoaktive Substanzen
How to decide which questionnaire to use:
- Conceptual considerations
- Validity criteria for questionnaires
- Prevalence in the literature (comparability)
Questionnaire
Pharmacological
studies Non-
pharmacological
studies
Overall
All Neuro-
imaging
All Neuro-
imaging
5D
-ASC
78
24
7
-
85
PCI
-
-
61
3
61
HRS
49
9
-
-
49
ARCI
77
4
-
-
77
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
assessed in 2017

GOLD STANDARD
CLINICAL STUDIES
NEW
Schmidt et al. (in prep) Quantifying the Phenomenology of Altered States of Consciousness,
Schmidt, Majic (2016) [GERMAN] Empirische Untersuchung veränderter Bewusstseinszustände, Springer, Handbuch Psychoaktive Substanzen
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
Alternative Approaches: Microphenomenology

Part IIntroduction and Definition of ASCs
History and current research on ASCs
Taxonomizing induction methods for ASCs
Part II
Challenges in the measurement of ASC phenomena
Questionnaires to quantify ASC experiences
Study design issues
Part III
The Altered States Database www.asdb.info
Research Perspective: Phenomenoconnectomics
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Design issues for neuroscientific ASC studies
- Measures to control confounding variables
- Measures for subject safety
- Currently popular neuroscientific measures
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Induction
Methods
Pharmacologic
Altered State
of Consciousness
Non-pharmacologic
Psychometric
assessment Physiologic
effects
Individual
Subjects
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Measure
Relevance
Assessment
Reference
Elektrocardiography
For
Substances with cardial
risk
profile
(e.g. Phenethylamine,
MDMA)
Before the
experiment
(Johnson et al. 2008; Griffiths et
al. 2011; Carhart
-Harris et al.
2015; Preller et al. 2016)
Urin
test
(Drugs in Urin,
beta
-HCG-Test)
Exclusion
if substance missuse
e.g.
Addiction, Intoxication
Before
the
experiment
(
Exclusion
criterion
)
(Johnson et al. 2008; Griffiths et
al. 2011; Kometer et al. 2013;
Carhart
-Harris et al. 2016a;
Preller et al. 2016)
Blood
tests (standard
clinical
assessment)
Screening
for disease
Before
the
experiment
(Johnson et al. 2008; Griffiths et
al. 2011; Carhart
-Harris et al.
2015; Preller et al. 2016)
Blood
preasure, Heart
rate
To
check cardiovascular risks
Before
, during and
after
the experiment
(Johnson et al. 2008; Griffiths et
al. 2011; Schmid et al. 2015;
Preller et al. 2016)
Breath
alcohol test
Exclusion
criterion
Immediately
before
the
experiment
(
Muthukumaraswamy et al.
2013;
Roseman et al. 2014;
Carhart
-Harris et al. 2016a)
Vegetative
measures
(
body temperature,
Pupilary
function )
Increase
of body temperature
for
some substances
Before
, during and
afte
the experiment
(Schmid et al. 2015)
Safety relevant physiologic parameters
Schmidt, Majic (2016) [GERMAN] Empirische Untersuchung veränderter Bewusstseinszustände, Springer, Handbuch Psychoaktive Substanzen
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Measure
Relevance
Assessment
Reference
Urin
test for the
assessed
substances
Measure
of renal excretion
(
clearance)
z.B. MDMA, Psilocybin
After
the
experiment
(Dolder et al. 2015)
Assessment
for
concentrations
of
substances
in serum
Ensuring
of constant
concentrations
in blood
plasm
(e.g. for Ketamine)
During
the
experiment
(
Dandash et al. 2014)
Endocrine
Measures
(z.B.
Prolactin,
Oxytocin, Cortisol,
Noradrenalin,
Adrenaline
in Plasm)
Effects
of substances on
endocrine
function,
exclusion
of endocrine
confounding
variables (e.g.
MDMA)
During
or after
the
experiment
(
Gouzoulis-Mayfrank et al. 1999;
Schmid et al. 2015)
Controlling confounding variables
Schmidt, Majic (2016) [GERMAN] Empirische Untersuchung veränderter Bewusstseinszustände, Springer, Handbuch Psychoaktive Substanzen
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Voxel 1 time course
Voxel 2 time course
Voxel 3 time course
Brain region 1
Brain region 2
Brain region 3
Resting State fMRI (simplified)
Strength of coupling between brain regions
→Whole-brain connectivity patters (matrix)
Brain region 1
Brain region 2
Brain region 3
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

- Not task-dependend
- Not confounded by attentional fluctuations
- Characterizing a state
- Not based on assumptions on local brain activation
- In line with current network-modeling attempts
Why resting-state functional connectivity is
particularly suitable for ASC studies
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Schmidt et al. (in prep) Quantifying the Phenomenology of Altered States of Consciousness
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Summary Part II
•Recommendation for questionnaires:
•5D-ASC (in 11-dimensional analysis)
•PCI
•MEQ30 (for clinical studies)
+ further questionnaires for study-specific demands
•Carefully select control measurements for peripheral effects
•Consider general limitations of introspection
→Increase the value of YOUR research by using validated
standardized tools
→Publish full psychometric data (e.g. supplement/repository)
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

5min
BREAK
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Part IIntroduction and Definition of ASCs
History and current research on ASCs
Taxonomizing induction methods for ASCs
Part II
Challenges in the measurement of ASC phenomena
Questionnaires to quantify ASC experiences
Study design issues
Part III
The Altered States Database www.asdb.info
Research Perspective: Phenomenoconnectomics
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
Schmidt TT, Berkemeyer H (in press) The Altered States Database: Psychometric data of altered states of consciousness. Frontiers in Psychology.
IMPLEMENTATION
in mySQL

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018
IMPLEMENTATION
in mySQL
①List of Induction Methods
②Google-scholar search
③Manual screening and
data extraction
Induction methods
+ forward citations of questionnaires
SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE RESEARCH
and DATA EXTRACTION
Schmidt TT, Berkemeyer H (in press) The Altered States Database: Psychometric data of altered states of consciousness. Frontiers in Psychology.

Schmidt TT, Berkemeyer H (in press) The Altered States Database: Psychometric data of altered states of consciousness. Frontiers in Psychology.
IMPLEMENTATION
in mySQL
①List of Induction Methods
②Google-scholar search
③Manual screening and
data extraction
Induction methods
+ forward citations of questionnaires
SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE RESEARCH
and DATA EXTRACTION
Database (01/2018):
N=6861 ASC reports
N=315 Datasets
N= 2168 total data points (Mean, SD)
N=52 induction methods
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Example: Dose-response relationship of Psilocybin with 5D-ASC questionnaire data,
(linear meta-regression)
Meta-analysis of psychometric data
A. Oceanic Boundlessness B. Vigilance Reduction C. Auditory Alterations
E. Dread of Ego DissolutionD. Visual Restructuralization
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Part IIntroduction and Definition of ASCs
History and current research on ASCs
Taxonomizing induction methods for ASCs
Part II
Challenges in the measurement of ASC phenomena
Questionnaires to quantify ASC experiences
Study design issues
Part III
The Altered States Database www.asdb.info
Research Perspective: Phenomenoconnectomics
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Phenomenoconnectomics
The study of brain connectivity in relation to
phenomenologic states of consiousness.
Phenomenology Connectomics
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

wants to answer questions of the type:
The experience Xis accompanied
by a pattern Yof brain connectivity
An „out of body experience“ is accompanied
by a decoupling of the insula from X,Y,Z
Phenomenoconnectomics
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Voxel 1 time course
Voxel 2 time course
Voxel 3 time course
Brain region 1
Brain region 2
Brain region 3
Resting-state fMRI (simplified)
Strength of coupling between brain regions
→Whole-brain connectivity patterns
Brain region 1
Brain region 2
Brain region 3
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Induction
Methods
pharmacological
Altered State
of Consciousness
non-pharmacological
resting-state
fMRI
‚phenomenological
pattern‘
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

resting-state
fMRI
psychometric
assessment
Altered State
of Consciousness
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

resting-state
fMRI
psychometric
assessment
An „out of body experience“ is accompanied
by a (de)coupling of brain regions X, Y, Z
independent of how it was induced
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Phenomenoconnectomics is basic research for psychiatry
(but not a model psychosis approach) and assumes that:
•ASCs have common underlying ‚structures‘ of experiences
•ASCs have common underlying ‚brain mechanisms‘
•Joint empirical study enables a mapping between them
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Phenomenoconnectomics is basic research for psychiatry
(but not a model psychosis approach) and assumes that:
•ASCs have common underlying ‚structures‘ of experiences
•ASCs have common underlying ‚brain mechanisms‘
•Joint empirical study enables a mapping between them
→Psychiatry will benefit from an understanding of brain
mechanisms of clinically relevant ASC phenomena
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Summary Part III
Use the Altered States Database www.asdb.info to:
•Check for expected effect sizes (dose-response relationships)
•Check for availability of data
Timo Torsten Schmidt @Titoschmi
Quantification of ASC experiences ASSC 2018
26th June 2018

Neurocomputation and
Neuroimaging Unit
Prof. Dr. Felix Blankenburg
Dr. Till Nierhaus
Dr. Tomislav Majic
AG Psychotrope Substanzen Ganzfeld studies
Julia Prein
Nisha Jagannathan
Michal Ljubljanac
Ann Xavier
Thank you for your attention!
Henrik Berkemeyer
Hristofor Lukanov
Katharina Dworatzyk
Chiara Carrera
Florian Ziegler
Eelke de Vries
Philip Kuhnke
Artur Czeszumski
Renato Garita Figueiredo
Aliona Cerednicenco
Max Räuker
Olha Vakhovska
Aalia Nosheen
Ann Xavier
Nisha Jagannathan
Michal Ljubljanac
Catharina Engler
Ahmad Dawud
Natalia Brandwayn
Mohammad Baghery
Felix Blind
Kristina Baumgart
Anastasia Mukhina
Anette Aumeister
Ashima Keshava
Janina Schott ...
Active Inference
Lara Sophie Knaup
@titoschmi