The eight-circuit model of consciousness is a holistic model originally presented as psychological philosophy (abbreviated "psy-phi") by Timothy Leary. The model posits eight circuits, or eight systems or "brains", as referred by other authors, which operate within the human nervous system. Each corresponds to its own imprint and subjective experience of reality.

The theory was introduced by Leary in books including Neurologic (1973) and Exo-Psychology (1977), later expanded on by Robert Anton Wilson in his books Cosmic Trigger (1977) and Prometheus Rising (1983), and by Antero Alli in his books Angel Tech (1985) and The Eight-Circuit Brain (2009), that suggests "eight periods [circuits]" within the model. Leary and Alli include three stages for each circuit, detailing developmental points for each level of consciousness.

Although the model has been previously criticized as lacking scientific credibility and had been largely been ignored in academia

Recent publications include 2025's 8-Circuit Ascension: A Guide to Metaprogramming the Multidimensional Self written by Drs. Douglas S. Wingate and Rachel Turetzky, which updates the model with current research in neuroscience and psychedelic research. Additionally, Wingate and Turetzky co-authored an accompanying workbook, 8-Circuit Ascension Workbook: Tools to Change Your Brain & Increase Intelligence (2026). Exploring the Eight-Circuit Model of Consciousness: A Pathway to Enhanced Mind-Body Health is the first peer-reviewed academic journal article written on the eight-circuit model of consciousness, co-authored by Kasian, Turetzky, and Wingate (2025).

Overview

Of the eight circuits in this model of consciousness, the first four circuits concern themselves with life on Earth, and the survival of the human species. The last four circuits are post-terrestrial, and concern themselves with the evolution of the human species as represented by so-called altered states of consciousness, enlightenment, mystical experiences, psychedelic states of mind, and psychic abilities. The proposal suggests that these altered states of consciousness are recently realized, but not widely utilized. Leary described the first four as "larval circuits", necessary for surviving and functioning in a terrestrial human society, and proposed that the post terrestrial circuits will be useful for future humans who, through a predetermined script, continue to act on their urge to migrate to outer space and live extra-terrestrially. Leary, Wilson, and Alli have written about the idea in depth, and have explored and attempted to define how each circuit operates, both in the lives of individual people and in societies and civilizations.

  • 1. The Oral Bio-Survival Circuit
  • 2. The Anal Emotional-Territorial Circuit
  • 3. The Time-Binding Semantic Circuit
  • 4. The “Moral” Socio-Sexual Circuit
  • 5. The Holistic Neurosomatic Circuit
  • 6. The Collective Neurogenetic Circuit
  • 7. The Meta-programming Circuit
  • 8. The Non-Local Quantum Circuit

The term "circuit" is equated to a metaphor of the brain being computer hardware, and the wiring of the brain as circuitry.

Leary used the eight circuits along with recapitulation theory to explain the evolution of the human species, the personal development of an individual, and the biological evolution of all life.

See also

  • Erikson's stages of psychosocial development
  • Integral theory
  • List of New Age topics
  • Maslow's hierarchy of needs
  • Psychedelic experience
  • Reality tunnel

References

Notes

Citations

Works cited

Further reading

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