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Am I Dreaming?: The New Science of Consciousness and How Altered States Reboot the Brain
When a computer goes wrong, we are told to turn it off and on again. In Am I Dreaming?, science journalist James Kingsland reveals how the human brain is remarkably similar. By rebooting our hard-wired patterns of thinking - through so-called 'altered states of consciousness' - we can gain new perspectives into ourselves and the world around us.
From shamans in Peru to tech workers in Silicon Valley, Kingsland provides a fascinating tour through lucid dreams, mindfulness, hypnotic trances, virtual reality and drug-induced hallucinations. An eye-opening insight into perception and consciousness, this is also a provocative argument for how altered states can significantly boost our mental health.
From shamans in Peru to tech workers in Silicon Valley, Kingsland provides a fascinating tour through lucid dreams, mindfulness, hypnotic trances, virtual reality and drug-induced hallucinations. An eye-opening insight into perception and consciousness, this is also a provocative argument for how altered states can significantly boost our mental health.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published August 1, 2019
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316 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 5, 2022
Am I Dreaming? The New Science of Consciousness and How Altered States Reboot the Brain [2019] – ★★★
From lucid dreaming and hallucinations to hypnotism and various effects of LSD and DMT, science journalist James Kingsland takes the reader on a journey explaining the altered states of consciousness and the present state of knowledge in this field, making his case that inducing altered states of consciousness is beneficial, and much can be gained by experimenting with psychoactive substances. Am I Dreaming? is an unnecessarily chaotic book, but if you are prepared to sift through the author’s more obvious statements on consciousness and his not-always-so-clear scientific explanations, there is some insight gained as the author talks about more recent studies and people’s first-hand experiences.
The author opens his book by recounting his experience of taking DMT (a powerful psychedelic that can be drunk as a brew ayahuasca) at the Dios Ayahuasca Sanaciones spiritual centre in Peru (see also my short review of Rick Strassman’s book DMT: The Spirit Molecule [2000]), and his later chapters include lengthy talks on the discovery and “rise” of LSD and the research of scientist Amanda Fielding, who, in 2016, published “the world’s first images of the human brain on LSD”. Kingsland also talks about the finding of “scientific proof” of lucid dreaming (research of Keith Hearne (1975/82) and Stephen LaBerge) and about the benefits of deep meditation. One insightful book chapter concerned the link between psychedelics, music and mystical experiences (music increases the intensity of images while taking psychedelics and “psychedelics may “tune” the brain to the acoustic properties of music that carry… emotionally-charged information” [Kingsland, Atlantic Books: 179]), while another surprising book section was on the benefits of online gaming as an example of activity of “complete immersion”.
Kingsland’s thesis is very clear in this book: it is beneficial for us to induce ”altered states of consciousness”. It is good for our mental health and it boosts creative insight: “altered states of consciousness…restore openness, flexibility and meaning to our lives by temporarily messing with out reality-checking faculties” [Kingsland, Atlantic Books: 27]. The author is a proponent of using certain psychoactive substances to treat addictions, depression and severe cases of PTSD. He says in this book how taking psilocybin makes it easier for people with terminal illnesses to come to terms with the inevitable. One can clearly see the consequences of unlocking a Pandora’s box in this case and there is the fear of opening the floodgates. How to ensure that the misuse and abuse of drugs in this way does not happen? There are certainly more than enough people now living in the United States who became drug addicts just from their doctors’ prescriptions of very strong pain medications (for example, after surgery or complex dental procedures), and if psychoactive substances are freely prescribed, the situation can potentially get much worse. Where does one strike a balance between genuinely helping the few, and making sure that youngsters or vulnerable people do not veer to dangerous paths? In fact, it is precisely those who are most vulnerable to drug abuse are also those who are most likely to seek it professionally to treat their PTSD, depression or alcoholism. However, the author is unfazed, stating that the scientific and medical communities on both sides of the Atlantic are more than eager to pursue the matter further, and that psychoactive drugs are now recognised by medical practitioners as potentially alleviating human suffering, especially where other treatments prove fruitless.
As a journalist, James Kingsland has a good narrative flair, but his book also jumps chaotically from topic to topic, mishmashing DMT and LSD experiences, attention and dreaming theories, optical illusions and “superpowers” of Tibetan monks. Most of the time, the author is not divulging any new “truths” about consciousness, but is simply restating what has already been published a hundred times over, albeit in different words: “REM sleep is important for our daily functionity”, “the goal of any psychotherapy is to repair faulty, maladaptive cognitive models of reality ”, etc. [Kingsland, Atlantic Books: 97]. One sentence did caught my attention, though: “we can say with some confidence that a sense of having a discrete ego or self isn’t necessary for consciousness, otherwise how could a psychonaut remain fully aware after losing it?” [Kingsland, Atlantic Books: 197]. That is quite a statement to make. In fact, the jury is still out on the question of what exactly we are “losing” while on powerful psychedelics. Is it really an “ego”, a mere sensation of an “ego” (self) or only some part of it? (or maybe none at all, since an “ego” is merely an illusion in the first place?), as there are also stages of self-awareness, as some research on lucid dreams also seems to show.
Am I Dreaming? is a strange book, and the author did not seem capable of disentangling all the confusing bits and pieces which may arise in a person’s mind when hearing about “altered states of consciousness”. However, the great thing about the book is that it does introduce the reader to some of the most recent studies in the field of consciousnesses, sleep, dreaming and psychoactive substances.
From lucid dreaming and hallucinations to hypnotism and various effects of LSD and DMT, science journalist James Kingsland takes the reader on a journey explaining the altered states of consciousness and the present state of knowledge in this field, making his case that inducing altered states of consciousness is beneficial, and much can be gained by experimenting with psychoactive substances. Am I Dreaming? is an unnecessarily chaotic book, but if you are prepared to sift through the author’s more obvious statements on consciousness and his not-always-so-clear scientific explanations, there is some insight gained as the author talks about more recent studies and people’s first-hand experiences.
The author opens his book by recounting his experience of taking DMT (a powerful psychedelic that can be drunk as a brew ayahuasca) at the Dios Ayahuasca Sanaciones spiritual centre in Peru (see also my short review of Rick Strassman’s book DMT: The Spirit Molecule [2000]), and his later chapters include lengthy talks on the discovery and “rise” of LSD and the research of scientist Amanda Fielding, who, in 2016, published “the world’s first images of the human brain on LSD”. Kingsland also talks about the finding of “scientific proof” of lucid dreaming (research of Keith Hearne (1975/82) and Stephen LaBerge) and about the benefits of deep meditation. One insightful book chapter concerned the link between psychedelics, music and mystical experiences (music increases the intensity of images while taking psychedelics and “psychedelics may “tune” the brain to the acoustic properties of music that carry… emotionally-charged information” [Kingsland, Atlantic Books: 179]), while another surprising book section was on the benefits of online gaming as an example of activity of “complete immersion”.
Kingsland’s thesis is very clear in this book: it is beneficial for us to induce ”altered states of consciousness”. It is good for our mental health and it boosts creative insight: “altered states of consciousness…restore openness, flexibility and meaning to our lives by temporarily messing with out reality-checking faculties” [Kingsland, Atlantic Books: 27]. The author is a proponent of using certain psychoactive substances to treat addictions, depression and severe cases of PTSD. He says in this book how taking psilocybin makes it easier for people with terminal illnesses to come to terms with the inevitable. One can clearly see the consequences of unlocking a Pandora’s box in this case and there is the fear of opening the floodgates. How to ensure that the misuse and abuse of drugs in this way does not happen? There are certainly more than enough people now living in the United States who became drug addicts just from their doctors’ prescriptions of very strong pain medications (for example, after surgery or complex dental procedures), and if psychoactive substances are freely prescribed, the situation can potentially get much worse. Where does one strike a balance between genuinely helping the few, and making sure that youngsters or vulnerable people do not veer to dangerous paths? In fact, it is precisely those who are most vulnerable to drug abuse are also those who are most likely to seek it professionally to treat their PTSD, depression or alcoholism. However, the author is unfazed, stating that the scientific and medical communities on both sides of the Atlantic are more than eager to pursue the matter further, and that psychoactive drugs are now recognised by medical practitioners as potentially alleviating human suffering, especially where other treatments prove fruitless.
As a journalist, James Kingsland has a good narrative flair, but his book also jumps chaotically from topic to topic, mishmashing DMT and LSD experiences, attention and dreaming theories, optical illusions and “superpowers” of Tibetan monks. Most of the time, the author is not divulging any new “truths” about consciousness, but is simply restating what has already been published a hundred times over, albeit in different words: “REM sleep is important for our daily functionity”, “the goal of any psychotherapy is to repair faulty, maladaptive cognitive models of reality ”, etc. [Kingsland, Atlantic Books: 97]. One sentence did caught my attention, though: “we can say with some confidence that a sense of having a discrete ego or self isn’t necessary for consciousness, otherwise how could a psychonaut remain fully aware after losing it?” [Kingsland, Atlantic Books: 197]. That is quite a statement to make. In fact, the jury is still out on the question of what exactly we are “losing” while on powerful psychedelics. Is it really an “ego”, a mere sensation of an “ego” (self) or only some part of it? (or maybe none at all, since an “ego” is merely an illusion in the first place?), as there are also stages of self-awareness, as some research on lucid dreams also seems to show.
Am I Dreaming? is a strange book, and the author did not seem capable of disentangling all the confusing bits and pieces which may arise in a person’s mind when hearing about “altered states of consciousness”. However, the great thing about the book is that it does introduce the reader to some of the most recent studies in the field of consciousnesses, sleep, dreaming and psychoactive substances.
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August 18, 2019No date, no rating - DNF @ p75. I just didn’t feel like I was reading anything special. It was filled with things I had read tenfold in previous books, so I had no motivation to continue reading.
October 21, 2024
It feels like things are coming full circle in the world of psychedelics, spiritualism, and the occult. There are an increasingly louder wave of people, from scientists to psychonauts, that tout the benefits of turning on, tuning in, and dropping out. Kingland explores meditation, lucid dreaming, virtual reality, LSD, Magic Mushrooms, and Ayahuasca. To his clout, Kingsland tries psychotropic brews overseas, speaks with master meditators and researchers who believe that every once and a while the brain needs a break from our construct of reality. He presents a mixture of science, personal experience, and the experiences of others as to how the brain my benefit from being temporarily untethered.
For some people, the reality or what they believe, is no longer serving them. Kingsland presents a compelling argument that alternative states of consciousness can help people find meaning, release or re-form mental models and trauma, to help overcome mental illness or encourage more plasticity in the brain. While some of the science when a bit over my head, I got the general gist of it. And after reading "Am I Dreaming?" I'm on Kingsland's side that more research should be done into altered states of consciousness to support overall wellness.
Kingsland treads lightly when it comes to recreational use of some of the psychedelics (like LSD and Ayahuasca), but I get the distinct impression that he supports those who seek out these experiences with the caveat that the setting and the professionalism of those involved be carefully considered.
Kingsland has collected a decent overview from science to spiritualism about how rebooting the brain could be used in conjunction with other methods, like meditation and therapy, to help people feel more peaceful, resilient, and a renewed sense of wellbeing.
For some people, the reality or what they believe, is no longer serving them. Kingsland presents a compelling argument that alternative states of consciousness can help people find meaning, release or re-form mental models and trauma, to help overcome mental illness or encourage more plasticity in the brain. While some of the science when a bit over my head, I got the general gist of it. And after reading "Am I Dreaming?" I'm on Kingsland's side that more research should be done into altered states of consciousness to support overall wellness.
Kingsland treads lightly when it comes to recreational use of some of the psychedelics (like LSD and Ayahuasca), but I get the distinct impression that he supports those who seek out these experiences with the caveat that the setting and the professionalism of those involved be carefully considered.
Kingsland has collected a decent overview from science to spiritualism about how rebooting the brain could be used in conjunction with other methods, like meditation and therapy, to help people feel more peaceful, resilient, and a renewed sense of wellbeing.
September 18, 2021
(3.5)
While not exactly a page-turner, this book contained several large ideas to chew on. One especially interesting idea was that meditation is simply a means by which to make experience as predictable as possible. Doing so ostensibly leads to a deep sense of flow, as the world predicted by the brain aligns almost exactly with the world as experienced by the senses.
Great ideas, good science, unfortunately a little drawn out.
While not exactly a page-turner, this book contained several large ideas to chew on. One especially interesting idea was that meditation is simply a means by which to make experience as predictable as possible. Doing so ostensibly leads to a deep sense of flow, as the world predicted by the brain aligns almost exactly with the world as experienced by the senses.
Great ideas, good science, unfortunately a little drawn out.
September 21, 2020
A big disappointment. The intro is mildly interesting but the book then quickly keels over and sinks. This is dull formulaic writing, lacking any flair, colour or excitement. A good book should hook you in early and make you eager to turn the page and learn more. This reads more like an essay for an end of year assessment. The author may know his stuff but he is not a good writer, unfortunately.
August 25, 2024
meditation ~ “not going anywhere, not doing anything, not trying to fix anything” “not reflecting upon and judging the past actions of you or anyone else, or simulating future actions.” “no longer inwardly complaining and have no desire to change anything” “BEING NOT DOING” “this is simply how things are in this moment. there’s nothing wrong here, nothing that needs changing”
April 14, 2021
Fascinating!!!!
March 19, 2024
Some really important unorganized information on altered states of consciousness with a horrible delivery but great insights
December 16, 2025
Some useful analysis and advice on lucid dreaming. I can't speak for the chapters on psychedelics, they left me cold.
June 24, 2024
This book offers a scientific and factual exploration of how the mind works, delving into various intriguing theories and examining the mind's relationship to different aspects of our lives.
However, my only issue was the extensive emphasis on drug use, particularly Ayahuasca and LSD. This became repetitive, feeling more like filler content rather than what I was seeking from the book.
However, my only issue was the extensive emphasis on drug use, particularly Ayahuasca and LSD. This became repetitive, feeling more like filler content rather than what I was seeking from the book.
January 19, 2021
I'd like to write an actual review, but for now, just as a counterbalance for the existing reviews, I'll say two things:
-This was the most interesting book I've read in a while, and reading interesting books is a major hobby of mine.
-I didn't find anything particularly objectionable about it, and... well, being critical is a major hobby of mine too.
(And on the subject of counterbalancing the other reviews, psychedelics aren't known to be addictive.)
-This was the most interesting book I've read in a while, and reading interesting books is a major hobby of mine.
-I didn't find anything particularly objectionable about it, and... well, being critical is a major hobby of mine too.
(And on the subject of counterbalancing the other reviews, psychedelics aren't known to be addictive.)
September 3, 2019
A no no book for teenagers. Only benefetial sides of pshycadelic drugs are told, absolutely neglecting the addiction part.
Nothing new is discussed, only reiterating the similarity between drugs and meditation. Feels like the author is advocating LSD to be a free commodity.
I felt the author wants himself to be delighted in considering himself a "researcher" because he quotes from strange sources and the book even has bibliography and index pages.
Nothing new is discussed, only reiterating the similarity between drugs and meditation. Feels like the author is advocating LSD to be a free commodity.
I felt the author wants himself to be delighted in considering himself a "researcher" because he quotes from strange sources and the book even has bibliography and index pages.
October 18, 2019
My ratings of books on Goodreads are solely a crude ranking of their utility to me, and not an evaluation of literary merit, entertainment value, social importance, humor, insightfulness, scientific accuracy, creative vigor, suspensefulness of plot, depth of characters, vitality of theme, excitement of climax, satisfaction of ending, or any other combination of dimensions of value which we are expected to boil down through some fabulous alchemy into a single digit.
July 3, 2024
I liked this book because of the amount of factual evidence and information I was processing at time of reading, but there was always a slight part of me that felt like I was reading the same part twice - there was no slight comical jokes made or a break in the show to make somebody laugh, it was all very factual, but nevertheless VERY interesting and if I was to do an essay on LCD effects and Lucid Dreaming, I would turn to this book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews