Outcome MeasureMystical Experience

5D-ASC

Five Dimensions of Altered States of Consciousness

9 Papers in Blossom

About This Instrument

The Five Dimensions of Altered States of Consciousness (5D-ASC) is a 94-item self-report questionnaire using visual analog scales (0–100mm) to assess the subjective effects of altered states of consciousness. Developed by Adolf Dittrich and later refined by Erich Studerus and Felix Hasler, it measures five primary dimensions: Oceanic Boundlessness (OBN, related to mystical/positive experiences and derealization), Anxious Ego Dissolution (AED, related to anxiety and loss of control), Visionary Restructuralization (VRS, related to visual hallucinations and synesthesia), Auditory Alterations (AA), and Reduction of Vigilance (RV). The 5D-ASC is the most comprehensive standardized measure of acute psychedelic effects and is used extensively in European psychedelic research (University of Zurich, Imperial College London, Maastricht University). Subscale profiles can distinguish between different psychedelic compounds and doses, making it valuable for pharmacological characterization studies.

Outcome Data Across Studies

Reported results for 5D-ASC across 9 studies with quantitative data.

Outcome data across 40 study arm–timepoint observations
SD
Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: a proof-of-concept study
2015Secondary
Psilocybin(experimental)0.292102383.51347.7—
Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: a proof-of-concept study
2015Secondary
Psilocybin(experimental)0.29261735.31761.1—
Exploratory investigation of a patient-informed low-dose psilocybin pulse regimen in the suppression of cluster headache: Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
2022Secondary
High dose psilocybin(experimental)08———
Exploratory investigation of a patient-informed low-dose psilocybin pulse regimen in the suppression of cluster headache: Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
2022Secondary
High dose psilocybin(experimental)0820.68.4—
Exploratory investigation of a patient-informed low-dose psilocybin pulse regimen in the suppression of cluster headache: Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
2022Secondary
Low dose psilocybin(experimental)06———
Exploratory investigation of a patient-informed low-dose psilocybin pulse regimen in the suppression of cluster headache: Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
2022Secondary
Low dose psilocybin(experimental)060.91.0—
Enhanced visual contrast suppression during peak psilocybin effects: Psychophysical results from a pilot randomized controlled trial
2024Secondary
Psilocybin first(experimental)0665.024.5—
Enhanced visual contrast suppression during peak psilocybin effects: Psychophysical results from a pilot randomized controlled trial
2024Secondary
Niacin first(experimental)065.07.3—
Low-dose psilocybin in short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks: results from an open-label phase Ib ascending dose study
2024Secondary
Psilocybin(experimental)1437.825.3—
Low-dose psilocybin in short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks: results from an open-label phase Ib ascending dose study
2024Secondary
Psilocybin(experimental)6343.226.7—

Papers Using 5D-ASC

Paywallindividual

The role of therapeutic alliance in psilocybin treatment for treatment-resistant depression: A post hoc path analysis

This secondary analysis (n=79 of n=233) of a Phase II randomised trial examined whether therapeutic alliance or the psychedelic experience itself better predicted antidepressant outcomes in people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) receiving psilocybin (25 mg), finding that measures of the psychedelic experience were more strongly associated with reduced depression scores than pre-dosing therapeutic alliance, though alliance did appear to modestly facilitate the quality of the psychedelic experience.

Published
Journal
Journal of Affective Disorders
Authors
Goodwin, G. M., Aaronson, S. T., Alvarez, O., Carhart-Harris, R., Croal, M., Feifel, D., Hellerstein, D. J., Husain, M. I., Kelly, J. R., Kirlic, N., Licht, R. W., Marwood, L., Nowakowska, A., Páleníček, T., Repantis, D., Schoevers, R. A., Simmons, H., Soares, J. C., Somers, M., Tsai, J., Wahba, M., Williams, E., Young, A. H., Young, M. B., Zisook, S., Malievskaia, E.
Open Accessindividual

Cross-Species Evidence for Psilocin-Induced Visual Distortions: Apparent Motion Is Perceived by Both Humans and Rats

This cross-species experimental study (n=21 humans; n=10 rats) finds that psilocin (18.2mg/70kg for humans; 0.3mg/kg for rats) impairs the ability to distinguish between static and moving images in both humans and rats. In humans, the impairment aligns with psilocin plasma levels and self-reported hallucination intensity. In rats, the effect is specific to motion perception, providing the first evidence of psilocin-induced visual distortions across species.

Published
Journal
Biological Psychiatry
Authors
Vejmola, C., Šíchová, K., Syrová, K., Janečková, L., Koudelka, V., Tesař, M., Nikolič, M., Viktorin, V., Viktorinová, M., Tylš, F., Korčák, J., Kelemen, E., Nekovářová, T., Brunovský, M., Horáček, J., Kuchař, M., Páleníček, T.
Open Accessindividual

Efficacy and safety of low- versus high-dose-LSD-assisted therapy in patients with major depression: A randomized trial

This double-blind controlled trial (n=61) found that high-dose LSD-assisted therapy (100μg + 200μg) reduced depression symptoms more than low-dose LSD (25μg + 25μg) in patients with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder (MDD), with benefits lasting up to 12 weeks and similar side effects between groups.

Published
Journal
Med
Authors
Mu, F., Zaczek, H., Becker, A. M., Auernig, M., Boehlke, C., Liechti, M. E., Ley, L., Borgwardt, S., Santos De Jesus, J., Loh, N., Kohut, J.
Paywallindividual

Rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of vaporized N,N-dimethyltryptamine: a phase 2a clinical trial in treatment-resistant depression

This open-label fixed-order dose-escalation trial (n=14) evaluated inhaled DMT (15mg & 60mg) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) for the first time. Results showed rapid and sustained antidepressant effects with a 21-point reduction on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale by day 7 (p<0.001), an 86% response rate, and a 57% remission rate lasting up to 3 months, with significant decreases in suicidal ideation (SI).

Published
Journal
Neuropsychopharmacology
Authors
Falchi-Carvalho, M., Palhano-Fontes, F., Wießner, I., Barros, H., Bolcont, R., Laborde, S., Silva, S. R. B., Montanini, D., Barbosa, D. C., Teixeira, E., Florence-Vilela, R., Almeida, R., Macedo, R. K. A., Arichelle, F., Pantrigo, E. J., Costa-Macedo, J. V., da Cruz Nunes, J. A., Araújo, D. B., de Araujo Costa Neto, L. A., Nunes Ferreira, L. F., Dantas Correa, L., da Costa Bezerra, R. B., Arcoverde, E., Galvão-Coelho, N. L.
Open Accessindividual

Enhanced visual contrast suppression during peak psilocybin effects: Psychophysical results from a pilot randomized controlled trial

This placebo-controlled study (n=6) investigates how psilocybin (25mg) affects visual surround suppression compared to placebo (100mg niacin). The study finds increased surround suppression effects under psilocybin, with stronger suppression correlating with more intense subjective visual effects.

Published
Journal
Journal of Vision
Authors
Swanson, L. R., Jungers, S., Varghese, R., Cullen, K. R., Evans, M. D., Nielson, J. L., Schallmo, M.-P.
Open Accessindividual

Low-dose psilocybin in short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks: results from an open-label phase Ib ascending dose study

In an open-label phase Ib ascending-dose study terminated early after enrolling four patients (three completers), low-dose oral psilocybin with psychological support was well tolerated and induced strong subjective altered states and psychological insights, with two participants showing >50% reductions in attack frequency but overall limited effects on headache severity or duration. Cognition could not be assessed acutely due to high subjective dose intensity, and the small sample prevents any conclusive evidence for psilocybin in SUNHA, though the findings suggest psychological factors may be an important treatment target.

Published
Journal
Headache
Authors
Rucker, J., Butler, M., Hambleton, S., Bird, C., Seynaeve, M., Cheema, S., Campbell-Coker, K., Maggio, C., Dunbar, F., Lambru, G., Matharu, M.

Quick Facts

Full Name
Five Dimensions of Altered States of Consciousness
Domain
Mystical Experience
Papers Indexed
9
Score Range
0–100
Interpretation
Higher = better
Unit
percentage
All Measures