How Different States of Mind Affect How We See Ourselves

Sometimes, when we change our state of mind—like when we meditate, take certain drugs, or lose sleep—we can see ourselves in a different way. Studies show that around 40% of people experience a different sense of who they are when they meditate.

Here are some ways these changes in thinking can affect us:

1. Feeling Detached:

   • About 10% of people say they feel separated from themselves during these altered states.
   • This can feel like floating or watching yourself from a distance, almost like you're not quite in your own body.

2. Thinking Deeply About Oneself:

   • Research shows that 70% of people in these special mind states think more deeply about themselves.
   • This behavior can change how they see their own identity.

3. Changing Personal Identity:

   • In studies with psychedelics, roughly 30% of participants say they experience big changes in who they believe they are.
   • These changes can stick with them, affecting how they see themselves in the long run.

In conclusion, these different states of mind make us question what we really think about ourselves. They show that our sense of self is not fixed; instead, it can change and be more complicated than we often believe.