The Altered States Database: Psychometric data from a systematic literature review
Johanna Prugger1,2, Ekin Derdiyok3, Jannis Dinkelacker4
1Psychedelic Substances Research Group, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
The Altered States Database (ASDB) offers accessible psychometric data on subjective consciousness experiences from a systematic review of 165 studies. This resource enables comparative analysis of altered states of consciousness (ASC) and substance-induced effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Altered states of consciousness (ASC) research requires standardized data on subjective experiences.
- Existing data is fragmented across numerous studies and methodologies.
- An open-science approach is crucial for advancing the field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop the Altered States Database (ASDB) compiling psychometric data on ASC.
- To facilitate systematic analysis of subjective ASC experiences.
- To support research on pharmacological and non-pharmacological inducers of ASC.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
- Searches conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases.
- Inclusion of studies utilizing validated questionnaires (APZ, 5D-ASC, 11-ASC, PCI, HRS, MEQ30).
Main Results:
- Compilation of data from 165 peer-reviewed journal articles.
- Extracted psychometric questionnaire data is publicly available on OSF and ASDB websites.
- Data allows for retrieval and visualization of ASC experiences.
Conclusions:
- The ASDB provides a valuable, accessible resource for researchers studying altered states of consciousness.
- Enables calculation of comparable psychometric values for ASC.
- Facilitates investigation into dose-response relationships of ASC-inducing substances.
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