Consciousness Dilemma: Advancing Methods and Paradigms for Unveiling Consciousness and Its Altered States

Consciousness and its altered states gained a growing interest during the last decades. While varied theories suggest different experimental approaches, this diversity enriches the field and broadens opportunities for groundbreaking understanding. However, it also makes summarizing the field a complex task, reflecting the vast spectrum of theories that address human consciousness. This is one reason why one of the prevailing theories of consciousness was recently accused of pseudo-scientism, or why the “hard problem” of consciousness could not be solved during the 25-year famous bet between Chalmers and Koch.

Rather than a proliferation of theories not supported by sufficient evidence, this field needs a renovation of the methods and paradigms used to validate the existing theories or their main assumptions. This process would ideally begin with a careful evaluation of the current approaches and frameworks. The theorization and subsequent testing of new protocols should aim at filling the gaps previously assessed. New technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, EEG and fMRI novel approaches to characterize consciousness) could significantly widen our possibilities for scientific exploration up to unprecedented levels.

The present research topic will delve into consciousness and its altered states, focusing in particular on:

• Tests or comparisons of the current methods and paradigms;
• theorization of novel methods and paradigms;
• experimental testing of new methods and paradigms;
• modeling or simulation of (altered states of) consciousness.

Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, replication, and empirical studies (experiments) are welcomed, focusing on the above-mentioned topics, as well as on specific facets of them (e.g., a core-claim of a theory of consciousness).

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Registered Report
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: consciousness research, behavioral evidence, neural correlates, adversarial collaboration, altered states, awareness, EEG, functional MRI, disconnectedness

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.