Altered states phenomena induced by visual flicker light stimulation

Abstract

Flicker light stimulation (FLS) is a non-pharmacological method to induce short-term consciousness alterations, like hallucinatory perceptions of colors and geometric patterns. Recently, the phenomenologies of several techniques to induce altered states of consciousness (ASCs) were investigated in a structured manner. Such systematic quantification improves replicability, allows direct comparison between techniques and is the prerequisite to study their underlying neuronal mechanisms. In a within-subjects repeated measures design (N = 24), we assessed the subjective experiences during 3 Hz and 10 Hz FLS, by application of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (mood state), time perception ratings, the Altered State of Consciousness Rating Scale, and the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory. Furthermore, we tested for effects of personality traits (NEO Five-Factor Inventory-2 and Tellegen Absorption Scale) on subjective experiences. The data show that FLS-induced states were especially characterized by vivid visual imagery of simple and complex types, with stronger effects in the 10 Hz condition. In addition, we found high correlations between the intensity of the subjectively experienced alterations in consciousness state with participants’ personality trait of Absorption. Our data demonstrate that FLS can induce visual effects of comparable intensity as induced by psychedelic substances and thereby motivates investigation of potentially shared underlying neuronal mechanisms.

Neural dynamics of stroboscopic stimulation at different stimulation frequencies

“…The 10 Hz, 7 Hz and 13 Hz frequencies produced similarly high results across the ASCQ, but with participants having a clearly higher response for one frequency over another rather following any linear patten. As suggested by Bartossek et al (2020), this level of variability might depend upon on the participant’s individual alpha rhythm and matching stimulation frequency to individual alpha in the future may result in a much more intense experience (Koch, Steinbrink, Villringer, & Obrig, 2006). Higher frequencies such as 19 Hz and 15 Hz also produced similarly high ASCQ results, but had higher ratings on the dimension Scene, which might indicate a potentially more complex SIVH compared to other frequencies.…”

“…Stroboscopically induced visual hallucinations (SIVH), the main subjective effect of such stimulation was initially discovered by Jan Purkinje in 1819 (Paul C. Bressloff, Cowan, Golubitsky, Thomas, & Wiener, 2002; 1819). SIVH’s that occur with eyes closed are described as visually intense experiences that display magnificent colours, geometric form constants and complex imagery (Bartossek, Kemmerer, & Schmidt, 2020; Paul C. Bressloff et al, 2002; Mauro, Raffone, & VanRullen, 2015; Schwartzman et al, 2019). These form constants have also been reported in various ASC such as those induced by Marijuana (Siegel & West, 1975) LSD (Knoll, Kugler, Höfer, & Lawder, 1963) models suggesting that form constants may arise out of the same neural processes and correlates (Rule, Stoffregen, & Ermentrout, 2011).…”

“…Stroboscopic stimulation has also been shown to affect the spectral power profile in a similar manner to psychedelics, with results showing a consistent drop in the alpha band (8 – 12 Hz) (Bartossek et al, 2020), and even alpha power suppression after the stimulation has ceased (Streicher, 2020). A recent paper by Schwartzman et al (2019) showed that stroboscopic stimulation can produce an ASC similar to a psychedelic induced ASC.…”

Phenomenoconnectomics and the Neural Correlates of Altered Consciousness. An interview with Timo Torsten Schmidt

“…The first time people sit with closed eyes in front of a stroboscopic white light, most of them are surprised how colorful, dynamic, and immersive the visual effects are. At the moment, I am working with flicker light stimulation as a method with which one can induce very fascinating visual effects, which are often called Flicker-induced Hallucinations (Bartossek et al 2020).…”