Non-ordinary mental expressions (NOMEs)¶

Non-ordinary mental expressions (NOMEs), also referred to as nonordinary experiences (NOEs) or anomalous experiences in related literature, is a conceptual framework used to describe a broad range of mental phenomena that deviate from ordinary waking consciousness or conventional sensory experience, without automatically classifying them as pathological. The term was developed to move beyond the older concept of “altered states of consciousness” (ASCs), which often carried implications of abnormality or deficit. NOMEs emphasize diversity relative to culturally accepted norms of mental functioning rather than dysfunction.¹

NOMEs encompass both spontaneous experiences and those induced by practices such as meditation, hypnosis, lucid dreaming, or the use of certain psychoactive substances. They are studied across psychology, neuroscience, philosophy of mind, anthropology, and parapsychology. Proponents argue that many such experiences occupy a gray area between mental health and disorder, and that some may reveal properties of consciousness not fully explained by standard materialist models of the mind-brain relationship.²

Definition and scope¶

The term NOMEs was advanced by researchers including Enrico Facco, Etzel Cardeña, and collaborators to include non-pathological anomalous experiences (AEs) and related states. It deliberately avoids presupposing pathology and accommodates sophisticated or positive mental activities such as creativity, intuition, mystical insight, and certain forms of spirituality.³

Typical phenomena classified under NOMEs include:

Near-death experiences (NDEs) and NDE-like states
Out-of-body experiences (OBEs)
Mystical or peak experiences
Lucid dreaming
Hypnosis and related trance states
Meditation-induced states
Hallucinations or visions (spontaneous, hypnagogic/hypnopompic, or substance-related)
Extrasensory perception claims (clairvoyance, precognition, telepathy, retrocognition)
Psychokinesis (including macro- and micro- forms)
Mediumship and claims of anomalous information reception about deceased persons
Past-life memories or previous-life experiences
Alien abduction experiences
Experiences of other identities or channeling
Synesthesia and related cross-modal phenomena in some accounts

These are not assumed to be paranormal a priori; research often examines psychological, neurological, cultural, and appraisal factors that shape how the experiences are interpreted and their impact on well-being.⁴

Historical and conceptual background¶

Earlier frameworks spoke of altered states of consciousness. Cardeña, Lynn, and Krippner’s work on anomalous experiences helped shift emphasis toward non-pathological but culturally atypical phenomena. Facco and colleagues further developed NOMEs as a more neutral, inclusive category that highlights epistemological implications: experiences that challenge prevailing axioms about the mind-brain relationship or the limits of ordinary perception.⁵

A Frontiers Research Topic collection (2013–2015) gathered empirical and theoretical papers under the NOMEs banner, covering hypnosis, meditation, NDEs, psi-related phenomena, and related topics.⁶

Research and evidence¶

Empirical work spans laboratory studies of hypnosis and meditation, phenomenological analyses of NDEs and OBEs, surveys of prevalence and appraisals, and meta-analyses of claimed anomalous cognition (including mediumship). Systematic reviews indicate that the relationship between NOMEs and mental health is complex: appraisal processes (how the person interprets the experience), cultural context, controllability, duration, and impact on daily functioning strongly influence outcomes. Many experiences are reported as neutral or positive in the long term, though a subset can involve distress.⁷

In the domain of mediumship and anomalous information reception, a meta-analysis by Sarraf, Woodley of Menie, and Tressoldi examined controlled studies and reported overall statistical support for accuracy beyond chance under blinded conditions, while noting ongoing debate about mechanisms (living-agent psi, survival, or other explanations).⁸

Contributions of Michael A. Woodley of Menie¶

Michael A. Woodley of Menie (often published as Michael A. Woodley of Menie) is a researcher primarily known for work in differential psychology, intelligence, and evolutionary psychology. In the NOMEs / anomalous cognition literature he co-authored a meta-analysis examining the scientific evidence for anomalous information reception by mediums:

Sarraf, M., Woodley of Menie, M. A., & Tressoldi, P. E. (2021). Anomalous information reception by mediums: A meta-analysis of the scientific evidence. EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing, 17(5), 396–402.⁹

This work is frequently cited in discussions of controlled mediumship research within the broader NOMEs framework. Public video lectures or interviews by Woodley specifically focused on NOMEs or mediumship are limited; his public talks more commonly address intelligence, dysgenics, and related topics. Related discussions of anomalous cognition and mediumship appear in interviews and presentations by co-authors such as Patrizio Tressoldi.

Literature¶

Key sources include theoretical papers defining NOMEs, empirical collections, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Representative works:

Facco, E., Pederzoli, L., & Tressoldi, P. Non-ordinary mental expressions (NOMEs): Clues on the nature of the human mind.¹⁰
Facco, E. et al. Moving beyond the concept of altered state of consciousness: the Non-Ordinary Mental Expressions (NOMEs).¹¹
Cardeña, E., & Facco, E. (Eds.). (2015). Non-Ordinary Mental Expressions. Frontiers Media.¹²
Systematic reviews of nonordinary experiences, well-being, and mental health (e.g., 2023 review in Journal of Religion and Health).¹³
Sarraf, Woodley of Menie & Tressoldi meta-analysis on mediumship (see above).⁹
Facco, E. (2025). Understanding Non-Ordinary Mental Expressions and their Capabilities. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.¹⁴

Additional relevant literature appears in journals such as EXPLORE, Journal of Anomalous Experience and Cognition, and Frontiers in Human Neuroscience collections on hypnosis, meditation, NDEs, and psi.

Notes and sources¶

¹ Facco et al., “Moving beyond the concept of altered state of consciousness: the Non-Ordinary Mental Expressions (NOMEs),” ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338826979_Moving_beyond_the_concept_of_altered_state_of_consciousness_the_Non-Ordinary_Mental_Expressions_NOMEs

² Facco, Pederzoli & Tressoldi, “Non-ordinary mental expressions (NOMEs): Clues on the nature of the human mind,” Zenodo: https://zenodo.org/records/6727893

³ Same as note 1 and the Frontiers collection description.

⁴ Taves & Barlev definition and related surveys discussed in the 2026 PLOS One paper on appraisals of nonordinary experiences: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0353126

⁵ Facco, Pederzoli & Tressoldi (SSRN/Zenodo versions) and Cardeña, Lynn & Krippner on anomalous experiences.

⁶ Frontiers Research Topic “Non-Ordinary Mental Expressions”: http://www.frontiersin.org/books/Non-Ordinary_Mental_Expressions/467 and DOI 10.3389/978-2-88919-485-8.

⁷ “Nonordinary Experiences, Well-being and Mental Health: A Systematic Review…” Journal of Religion and Health (2023/2024): https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10943-023-01875-8

⁸ Sarraf, Woodley of Menie & Tressoldi (2021).

⁹ Full citation and DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2020.04.002 (also Semantic Scholar entry: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Anomalous-information-reception-by-mediums:-A-of-Sarraf-Menie/ec100e118e071fc7870452b03b7102d869a7480b)

¹⁰ Zenodo: https://zenodo.org/records/6727893

¹¹ ResearchGate PDF: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338826979_Moving_beyond_the_concept_of_altered_state_of_consciousness_the_Non-Ordinary_Mental_Expressions_NOMEs

¹² DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/978-2-88919-485-8

¹³ Springer link above (note 7).

¹⁴ Cambridge Scholars / Google Play listing for Facco’s 2025 book.

Mainstream scientific consensus generally regards many psi-related claims as unproven or better explained by conventional psychological and neurological mechanisms; NOMEs research often emphasizes open investigation of phenomenology and correlates without requiring acceptance of paranormal interpretations.