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Altering Consciousness: Multidisciplinary Perspectives. Volume 1: History, Culture, and the Humanities. Editors: Etzel Cardenas & Michael Winkelman. Praeger. 2011. ISBN: 9780313383083.

Altering Consciousness, Volume 1 is the first of a two-volume scholarly survey on altered states of consciousness. It focuses on altered states of consciousness (ASCs) in historical, cultural, and humanistic contexts rather than on biological or strictly psychological mechanisms. It brings together international contributors to examine how ASCs have been understood and used across different epochs, societies, and symbolic systems. The chapters address ASCs as they appear in history and evolution of human societies, culture and ritual practices such as shamanism, and the humanities including literature, philosophy, and the visual and performance arts.

Etzel Cardeña (born 9 November 1957) is a Mexican-born psychologist who holds the Thorsen Chair in psychology at Lund University, Sweden. He directs the Centre for Research on Consciousness and Anomalous Psychology (CERCAP).

Michael Winkelman is a medical and psychological anthropologist whose work centres on shamanism, altered states of consciousness, and traditional healing systems. He received his PhD in anthropology from the University of California, Irvine (1985).

About Coram Deo

Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.