Books on Neuroscience: Consciousness, Altered States, Hallucinations

[arkturus]

Hey guys, I just finished watching the movie http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altered_States" . As a movie, it wasn't bad, but it was the subject matter that really interested me. The main character is trying to find out what exactly consciousnesses is using hallucinogenics and a float tank, and eventually becomes the very beginning of what consciousnesses is.

Anyway, I'm looking for some books on this sort of thing. Obviously not general neuroscience, but stuff related to consciousness, altered states of consciousness, sense deprivation, hallucinations, etc etc.

 

[denverdoc]

As a jumping off point, you might look here: http://www.erowid.org/

I don't endorse these practices, but it contains some very interesting material and links.

 

[glauing]

Check out Aldous Huxley's "The Doors of Perception" for hallucinogen (mescaline) information.

I just started reading "I Am A Strange Loop" by Douglas Hofstadter and I have to highly recommend it. He has a physics background, breaking the ideas behind neuroscience and our understanding of our self and all that exists around us to their smallest units. It's very straightforward while still being engaging. Definitely worth taking a look.