Why Altered States Distort Our Sense of Time

Time, as we perceive it, is notoriously inconsistent, often flowing at varying rhythms depending on the circumstances. For instance, during our travels to unfamiliar destinations, time can seem to crawl; a week spent in a foreign land can feel significantly longer than a week in our familiar surroundings.

Conversely, moments of boredom or discomfort can elongate our experience of time, while engaging activities like music, chess, painting, or dancing often create a sensation of time accelerating. Notably, many individuals observe that as they age, their perception of time appears to quicken.

Despite these fluctuations, they remain relatively mild in comparison to what I term “time expansion experiences” detailed in my latest publication. In these instances, mere seconds can feel as though they have stretched into minutes.

The mechanisms behind these variations in temporal perception are still a subject of intrigue. Some researchers, myself included, propose that subtle shifts in how we perceive time may correlate with information processing. Generally, when we process heightened levels of information—whether through sensations, perceptions, or thoughts—time tends to feel as if it passes more slowly. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in children, who inhabit a realm rich with new experiences.

Understanding Time Expansion Experiences

Time expansion experiences (Tees) often occur in critical situations, such as accidents or emergencies, where the perception of time can remarkably elongate. According to my research, a substantial percentage of individuals—approximately 85 percent—report having experienced at least one Tee. Many of these occurrences unfold during emergencies, with individuals frequently expressing astonishment at the amount of time they feel they have to react. This altered perception can enable actions that would ordinarily elude normal circumstances.

For instance, a woman recounted a Tee where she narrowly avoided a falling metal barrier, stating that the “slowing down of the moment” empowered her to contemplate her escape strategies.

Tees also manifest in athletic contexts. One participant noted experiencing a Tee during an ice hockey game, where what felt like ten minutes of gameplay transpired in merely eight seconds. Such experiences can also arise in moments of tranquility, such as deep meditation or immersion in nature.

Moreover, some of the most profound Tees are associated with psychedelic substances, including LSD or ayahuasca. In my collection of testimonials, roughly 10 percent of Tees are linked to these psychoactive experiences, where individuals have described time dilation that defies the normal passage of seconds.

The underlying reasons for this phenomenon remain elusive. While one prevalent theory suggests that the release of noradrenaline during stressful encounters enhances perception, this notion contradicts the reported calm experienced during many Tees. For example, a woman who underwent a Tee while falling from a horse described an overwhelming sense of tranquility despite the precariousness of her situation.

In fact, the noradrenaline hypothesis falters with the numerous Tees occurring in serene environments, such as during meditation or while connecting with nature.

Another intriguing hypothesis posits that these experiences may represent an evolutionary adaptation, enabling our ancestors to slow their perception of time in life-threatening circumstances, thus enhancing survival odds during perilous encounters.

Conversely, some suggest that Tees might not be genuine experiences, but rather illusions formed by heightened awareness leading to enriched memory encoding during emergencies.

However, many individuals assert that they genuinely felt equipped with the time necessary to devise complex thoughts and actions, which could not have unfolded ordinarily. In a recent, unpublished survey of 280 Tees, a meager 3 percent suggested their experience was illusory. In contrast, 87 percent affirmed that it represented a tangible moment in the present, with 10 percent remaining uncertain.

Exploring Altered States of Consciousness

Crucially, I contend that the essence of Tees is intricately linked to altered states of consciousness. The abrupt psychological shock accompanying accidents may catalyze a significant transformation in awareness and consciousness. In sports, profound altered states arise from what I refer to as “super-absorption.” While typical absorption often quickens time, during particularly intense, sustained focus, the reverse can occur, causing time to decelerate dramatically.

These altered states can profoundly impact our sense of self, blurring the boundaries between ourselves and our surroundings. As psychologist Marc Wittmann notes, our perception of time is deeply intertwined with our sense of identity.

In normal circumstances, we experience a delineation between our inner mental space and the external world; however, during intense altered states, this separation diminishes, fostering a deep interconnectedness that allows our sense of time to expand and manifests a unique temporal experience.

Steve Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Leeds Beckett University

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