A psychonaut (also spelled psychanaut or psychenaut) (deriving from the ψυχή and ναύτης (sailor), that is, a sailor of the mind/soul) is a person who intentionally induces altered states of consciousness in an attempt to investigate his or her mind, and possibly to address spiritual questions through direct experience. Psychonauts tend to be, willing to explore traditions from established world religions, lucid dreaming, technologies such as brainwave entrainment, psychedelic drugs, and sensory deprivation. Techniques that alter consciousness can be dangerous, and can induce a state of extreme susceptibility, therefore, psychonauts generally prefer to undertake these explorations either alone, or in the company of people they trust.Goals of psychonautic practices may be to answer questions about how the mind works, improve one's psychological state, answer existential or spiritual questions, or improve cognitive performance in everyday life. Contents TermPsychonautics may be understood as the means to navigate and explore the reaches of inner space (the mind/).While some psychonauts abstain from psychoactive drugs and discourage their use, others encourage it.
The term 'psychonaut' is often misinterpreted as implying frequent drug use. Many psychonauts use a psychoactive substance frequently, some weekly or more, and do so generally to supplement other tools such as meditation. Most psychonauts maintain that their use of altered consciousness is different from social or recreational use, and their use usually has a or significance to them.According to Dr. Elliot Cohen (Manchester Academy for Transpersonal Studies), 'Psychonautics is the means to study and explore consciousness (including the unconscious) and altered states of consciousness (ASCs); it rests on the realisation that to study consciousness is to transform it.' He also argues that psychonautics should not be associated with substance use, but rather with various Wisdom traditions, Transpersonal and Integral movements. When Robert Thurman depicts the as a Psychonaut ( Tibetan Book of the Dead) this is an appropriate use of the term.According to Jonathan Ott, the word psychonaut was originally coined by the German author.Use of the termPsychonaut is a modern term used to describe one who uses trance technologies and, more specifically, mind-altering substances, more for their ability to act as than for their inebriating (or social) effect.
Psychonautic practices are quite similar to shamanic traditions in ancient cultures around the world. In effect, various tools are used as a means to achieve states of mind in which different perceptions, unhindered by everyday mental filters and processes, can arise.
Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin is a Virtual Reality adventure that takes players back into the mysterious and paranormal world of the Psychonauts for the first time in over ten years. Director: Tim Schafer. Stars: Darin De Paul, Richard Steven Horvitz, Nick Jameson.
Psychonauts, like shaman, believe that when a mind-altering substance is used with this intent, its effects can be life altering and are not mere hallucinations.