My academic education has taken me across disciplinary boundaries, with studies in biology, psychology and philosophy at the universities of Berkeley, Greifswald, Heidelberg, Konstanz and Magdeburg. I hold a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Philosophy-Neurosciences-Cognition. My research aims to improve the scientific understanding of consciousness as such, more specifically the quality of phenomenality inherent in all states of consciousness. To this end, I use both descriptive and analytical methods and rely on empirical evidence.

Currently, I am a doctoral researcher at the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany, and at the Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health (IGPP), Freiburg, Germany. Under the supervision of Stefan Schmidt and Marc Wittmann, I am investigating the phenomenology and neurophysiology of minimal phenomenal experience (MPE) induced by non-dual meditation and floatation-REST. I am a collaborative member of the international MPE research network led by Thomas Metzinger, which is primarily concerned with the development of a minimal model of conscious experience. I am a co-operative partner of the Psychedelic Substances Research Group (PSRG) at Charité Berlin University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany, which addresses issues related to altered states of consciousness. I am a co-initiator of the Altered X Project (AXP), an international citizen science initiative with the aim of mapping the phenomenal state-space (Phenomenomics). I am a co-founder of the MIND Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting psychedelic research and therapy. In addition to my doctoral thesis, I am currently employed as a research assistant at the IGPP, where I am working on the phenomenology of parapsychological phenomena.

If you would like to learn more about my research work or are interested in collaborating, please don't hesitate to contact me.

My empirical and philosophical research focuses on three key areas:

• Triangulation of minimal phenomenal expierence (MPE) (Costines et al., 2021; Gamma & Metzinger, 2021; Metzinger, 2020, 2024) 

• Mapping of phenomenal state-space (Schmidt, 2023; cf. Bayne, 2016),

• Institutionalization of a secular consciousness culture (Metzinger, 2003, 2023)

In this context, I have a particular interest in altered states of consciousness induced by:  

• Meditation techniques (e.g., non-dual meditation) 

• Psychotropic substances (e.g., psychedelics)

• Sensory attenuation (e.g., floatation-REST)

• Mar. 2024 – present
  Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health (IGPP), Freiburg, Germany
  Section Psychological Counseling Research (Head: Wolfgang Fach)
  Phenomenological research on exceptional expierences (ExE)

• Mar. 2023 – present
  Medical Center – University of Freiburg (UKF), Germany
  Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy
  Section Systemic Health Research (Head: Stefan Schmidt)
  Neurophenomenological research on minimal phenomenal experience (MPE) and non-dual meditation

• Mar. 2023 – present
  Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health (IGPP), Freiburg, Germany
  Section Natural Sciences and Experimental Research
  Research Group Time Consciousness and Time Perception
  Head: Marc Wittmann
  Neurophenomenological research on minimal phenomenal experience (MPE) and floatation-REST

• Apr. 2021 – Mar. 2022
  Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz (JGU), Mainz, Germany
  Department of Philosophy
  Institute of Theoretical Philosophy (Head: Thomas Metzinger)
  Philosophical research on minimal phenomenal experience (MPE) and consciousness culture [Bewusstseinskultur]

• Oct. 2013 – Jun. 2014
  Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald (EMAU), Germany
  Department of Psychology
  Chair of Physiological and Clinical Psychology / Psychotherapy (Head: Alfons Hamm)
  fMRI research on the neurocognitive mechanisms of active and passive coping with threats

• Aug. 2011 – Jul. 2012
  University of California, Berkeley (UCB), CA, USA
  Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (HWNI)
  Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (Head: Marc D'Esposito)
  fMRI research on the neurocognitive mechanisms of sustained attention

• Feb. 2009 – Jun. 2009
  Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI), Mannheim, Germany
  Institute of Psychopharmacology
  Behavioral Genetics Lab (Head: Rainer Spanagel)
  Behavioral, genetic, and neurochemical research on the influence of circadian clock genes on cocaine addiction

• Fort, L. D., Costines, C., Wittmann, M., Demertzi, A., & Schmidt, T. T. (2024). Classification Schemes of Altered States of Consciousness [Preprint]. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/pmuqt

• Egan, M. K., Costines, C., D’Esposito, M., & Sadaghiani, S. (2024). Endogenous preparatory control is associated with increased interaction between default mode and dorsal attention networks. Imaging Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1162/imag_a_00124

• Schmidt, T.T., Costines, C., Tagliazucchi, E., Millière, R., Garrido, J.M., & Cuiule, J.I. (2023). The Altered Xperience Project (AXP): Quantitative and Qualitative Data from a Citizen Science Initiative on the Subjective Experience of Altered States of Consciousness [Preprint]. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/45z7w

• Prugger, J., Derdiyok, E., Dinkelacker, J., Costines, C., & Schmidt, T.T. (2022). The Altered States Database: Psychometric data from a systematic literature review. Scientific Data, 9(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01822-4

• Costines, C., Borghardt, T.L., & Wittmann, M. (2021). The Phenomenology of “Pure” Consciousness as Reported by an Experienced Meditator of the Tibetan Buddhist Karma Kagyu Tradition. Analysis of Interview Content Concerning Different Meditative States. Philosophies, 6(2), 50. https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies6020050

• Costines, C., Schmidt, T.T. (2024, July). Phenomenomics and Citizen Science: Mapping the Phenomenology of Altered States of Consciousness. Poster to be presented at the annual conference of the Association of Scientific Studies of Consciousness (ASSC27), Tokyo, Japan.

• Costines, C., Wittmann, M., Trautwein, F.-M., Schmidt, S. (2024, June) Exploring the Induction of Deep Non-Dual States through Floatation-REST: A Phenomenological Pilot Study. Poster to be presented at the annual conference of the International Society for Contemplative Research (ISCR), Padua, Italy.

• Costines, C., Schmidt, T.T. (2023, March). Exploring Altered States of Consciousness: A Pilot Study of Phenomenomics Using Citizen Science. Poster presented at the 10th MindBrainBody Symposium (MBB10), Berlin, Germany.

• Costines, C., Schmidt, T.T. (2022, July). A Specification of the Consciousness State-Space: Let's Split it!. Poster presented at the annual conference of the Association of Scientific Study of Consciousness (ASSC25), Amsterdam, Netherlands.

• Egan, M., Costines, C., D'Esposito, M., Sadaghiani, S. (2019, June). Knowing ‘when’ and knowing ‘what’: The impact of cue information on intrinsic top-down control. Poster presented at the annual conference of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping, Rome, Italy.

• Wendt, J., Costines, C., Lindner, K., Pfannmöller, J., Hamm, A., Löw, A. (2014, June). Time course of periaqueductal gray activation during active and passive coping with threat. Poster presented at the annual conference of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping, Hamburg, Germany. 

• Oct. 2024
  University of Bamberg, Germany
  Models of Consciousness (MoC5) + Minimal Phenomenal Experience (MPE3)
  Inducing MPE Using Floatation-REST: A Phenomenological Pilot Study
  Talk in English

• Sept. 2024
  Zen Center Johanneshof, Herrischried, Germany
  Transdisciplinary Workshop of the Society for Mind-Matter Research (SMMR)
  Dissolving the Self: Exploring Minimal Phenomenal Experience through Floatation and Meditation
  Talk in English

• Jul. 2024
  University of Tokyo, Japan
  Annual Meeting of the Association of Scientific Study of Consciousness (ASSC27)
  The Empirical Study of Altered States of Consciousness: Recommendations for Standards in the Psychometric Assessment [PDF]
  Tutorial in English, together with Timo Torsten Schmidt and Larry Fort

• Nov. 2023
  Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health (IGPP), Freiburg, Germany
  Phenomenomics: Induction of Altered Experience as a Tool for Consciousness Research
  Talk in German, together with Timo Torsten Schmidt

• Jun. 2022
  Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen, Germany
  Tübinger Forum for Science and Humanitities
  Interdisziplinäres Studienkolleg: Religion und Weltanschauung im wissenschaftlichen Zeitalter
  Reines Bewusstsein und Säkulare Bewusstseinskultur [Pure Consciousness and Secular Consciousness Culture]
  Invited talk in German

• Nov. 2021
  Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany
  Berlin School of Mind and Brain
  DFG Research Training Group 2386 Extrospection
  Interdisciplinary Virtual Workshop: Accessing Mental States
  Phenomenomics: Mapping the Phenomenal State-Space 
  Talk in English, together with Timo Torsten Schmidt

• Oct. 2021
  Charité – Berlin University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany
  Psychedelic Substances Research Group (PSRG)
  Phenomenomics: Mapping the Phenomenal State-Space 
  Talk in English, together with Timo Torsten Schmidt

• Jul. 2021
  University of Vilnius, Lithuania
  5th International Conference on Time Perspectives (ICTP2021)
  What Is It Like to Experience Emptiness?
  Talk in English, together with Marc Wittmann

• Oct. 2020
  Charité – Berlin University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany
  Psychedelic Substances Research Group (PSRG)
  On How the MPE Project and the Phenomenomics Project Complement Each Other
  Talk in German

• Oct. 2020
  Charité – Berlin University of Medicine, Germany
  Psychedelic Substances Research Group (PSRG)
  Philosophically Informed Consciousness Research
  Talk in German

• Feb. 2020
  Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen, Germany
  Center for Interdisciplinary and Intercultural Studies (CIIS)
  Introduction to Psychedelic Science and Secular Consciousness Culture
  Invited talk and workshop in German

• August 2024  – present
  Contemplative Lab
  Citizen science initiative aimed at advancing contemplative research while promoting a secular culture of consciousness
  Co-founder [together with Mathis-Fynn Trautwein]

• May 2024  – present
  Collaboration for Interdisciplinary Research on Conscious Expierence (CIRCE) e.V.
  Non-profit scientific organisation conducting and supporting consciousness research
  Co-founder [together with Timo Torsten Schmidt, Tim Hirschfeld and Sascha Krüger]

• Dez. 2022  – present
  Altered X Project (AXP)
  International citizen science initiative with the aim of mapping the phenomenal state-space
  Co-initiator [together with Timo Torsten Schmidt, Enzo Tagliazucchi and Raphaël Millière]

• Nov. 2016 – Oct. 2019
  MIND European Foundation for Psychedelic Research (MIND Foundation)
  Non-profit lobby organisation promoting psychedelic research and psychedelic therapy
  Co-founder, member of the executive board, director of science outreach (MIND Academy)

• Nov. 2021
  Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS), Frankfurt, Germany
  MPE Workshop [International interdisciplinary workshop on the scientific study of minimal phenomenal experience]
  Co-organizator, and co-host [together with Thomas Metzinger]

• Sep. 2019
  Charité – Berlin University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany
  INSIGHT [International interdisciplinary conference on the scientific study and application of psychedelic states]
  Co-initiator, co-organizator, and co-host

• Jun. 2018 – Oct. 2019
  MIND European Foundation for Psychedelic Research, Berlin, Germany
  MIND Academy [Educational platform for talks and workshops on topics related to altered states of consciousness]
  Co-initiator, director, co-organizator, and co-host

• Apr. 2017 – Jul. 2017
  Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Germany
  Department of Philosophy
  Wer ist dieser Ich? [Interdisciplinary and intercultural lecture series on the self; funded by Udo Keller Foundation]
  Initiator, co-organizator, and co-host

• Upcoming: Oct. 2024 – Jan. 2025
  Volkshochschule Freiburg, Freiburg i.Br., Germany
  Leib-Seele-Problem und veränderte Bewusstseinszustände: Theoretische Einblicke und Praktische Selbstversuche
  Semester course in German

• Sep. 2022
  lehrreich Wilmersdorf, Berlin, Germany
  Schulische Bewusstseinskultur [Consciousness Culture in School]
  Talk in German

• Jun. 2022
  Zen Center Altbäckersmühle, Singhofen, Germany
  Philosophy, Science & Culture of Consciousness + Meditation
  Invited workshop in German, together with HoKai Österle

• Feb. 2022
  lehrreich Wilmersdorf, Berlin, Germany
  Schulische Bewusstseinskultur [Consciousness Culture in School]
  Talk in German

• Jun. 2018
  MIND European Foundation for Psychedelic Research, Berlin, Germany
  Thomas Metzinger’s Concept of Minimal Phenomenal Experience
  Talk in German

• Apr. 2017 – Jul. 2017
  Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Germany
  University Sports Center
  Theory and Practice of Zen Meditation
  Semester course in German

• Böttinger, L., & Kech, F. (Hosts). (2024, Feb.). Was bringt Fasten – für den Körper und den Kopf? [Audio podcast episode]. In BZ am Ohr. Badische Zeitung. [HTML & MP3 ]

• Costines, C. (2023, Sep.). Gehirn, Geist, Gedanken und Emotionen [Interview], Ursache\Wirkung Magazin, 125, 42–45. [PDF]

• Costines, C. (2023, Mar.). [Buchbesprechung zu Bewusstseinskultur. Spiritualität, intellektuelle Redlichkeit und die planetare Krise von Thomas Metzinger],  Tattva Viveka, 94, 105–106. [HTML]

• Costines, C. (2022, Aug.). Was ist ein guter Bewusstseinszustand? [Interview], Ursache\Wirkung Magazin, 121, 82–85. [PDF & HTML]

• Costines, C. (2021, Jan.). 50 Sekunden im freien Fall [Kindgerechter phänomenologischer Bericht über verändertes Erleben beim Fallschirmspringen], dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur. [PDF & HTML] 

• Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness (ASSC)

• International Society for Contemplative Research (ISCR)

• Society for Mind-Matter Research (SMMR) 

• Explorative introspection: For the past decade, I have been experimenting with various pharamacological and non-pharmacological consciousness-modifying techniques (e.g., meditation) both to increase my mental autonomy and to heuristically inform my academic consciousness research by improving my ability to systematically and comprehensively describe and analyze my own phenomenal state-space.

• Graceful simplification: For the past decade, I have been experimenting with different lifestyles (e.g., voluntary homelessness) in order to figure out what I need and don't need to live a good life and to be prepared to die well. For example, I have found that a simple lifestyle with only the bare essentials is most beneficial for me.