"Expanding the boundaries of psychological inquiry" through every infallible transgression is merely a befuddlement of the function and diversity that perturbs the brain. From its biology, its outer-bodily experience, its existential freedom and imagination, to the abuse of substance control/depressants, this is by far the most intriguing aspect of the brain that is both analytically interesting and curious for those whom just want to depart from reality. What I found quite curious were the stages of sleep--the idea that there is a pattern to our brainwaves and how we are in constant looping in and out until we reach a deep slumber, a passage of which is never reconvened nor can be touched. Loss of consciousness in itself is fascinating and a mysterious journey to venture especially when attempting to find recollections of our previous nightly thoughts. The "other alterations of consciousness and unusual experiences" I find are the most haunting and the most intangible of them all. This is the most fascinating aspect of our consciousness because I feel unless you are Harry Potter and have a dream pool where thoughts can be perfectly dissected from what you personally experience, this realm of the mind is particular to the individual and is like a stage of limbo for those who want to remain and insane for those who cannot cope nor understand. It is not an even playing field at these various curious unexplainable phases of the mind.
I also find it very interesting the complexity of the conscious and the subconscious. But is it particular to every person? We do all have separate and our own dreams but there have been studies on common themes of dreams. Such as one falling and then waking up before hitting the ground. I wonder why humans dream in the first place. You articulate your information very well.