Recruiting Investigating Self-Dissolution Experiences

[dth66]

Have You Ever Felt Your Sense of Self Fade Away?

About the Study
We at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, are conducting a study on self-dissolution – experiences in which parts of our sense of self such as our identity, thoughts, or bodily sensations become diminished, altered, or absent. These states often occur during:

• Deep meditation
• Psychedelic experiences
• Breathwork
• Other transformative or altered states of consciousness

We are looking for people to recall a previous occurrence of self-dissolution (whether from psychedelics, meditation, every-day/out-of-the-blue, spiritual practise or any other context) and answer some questions relating to the experience (multiple reports are welcomed!). The aim is to develop a new psychometric tool that aims to distinguish between different aspects of self-consciousness (e.g., narrative vs embodied self) and how these are disrupted differently across various altered states. Eventually, the scale will be correlated with brainwave activity across various states to see if specific activity correlates with different aspects of self-consciousness.

This study began on the 16th May 2025 and will run for approximately 4 months or until quota has been filled. This research is approved by the University of Canterbury Human Ethics Committee.

Eligibility
You are invited to participate if you:

• Are 18 years of age or older
• Are fluent in English
• Have previously experienced a state involving self-boundary dissolution (e.g., through meditation, psychedelics, breathwork, or similar)

What Participation Involves

• Completing a one-time online survey (approximately 25 minutes)
• Reflecting on a prior experience of self-dissolution
• Participation is entirely voluntary and confidential
• You may optionally enter a prize draw to win one of 8 x $50 Amazon vouchers
• —Feel free to submit multiple times for different experiences!—

Interested in Participating?
Visit this URL for more study info or to begin the study:

Click here to go to the survey

(or go to https://canterbury.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dce4OR5BkS3yvSm)

Contact
For more information, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

Dylan Hartley
Email: dylan.hartley[at]pg.canterbury.ac.nz
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[neversickanymore]

interesting work.. please edit in ethical approval to bring your op up to DS standards.

On a personal note i think you may find the exact opposite to any predictions you may have had… if that was even your intention. Everything you listed likely and historically has the opposite effect.

Welcome to BL.

 

[dth66]

interesting work.. please edit in ethical approval to bring your op up to DS standards.

On a personal note i think you may find the exact opposite to any predictions you may have had… if that was even your intention. Everything you listed likely and historically has the opposite effect.

Welcome to BL.

Much appreciated! I have the ethical approval mentioned at the bottom of the About The Study section. Should I edit this up to the first line instead?

 

[neversickanymore]

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