Scoping review on shamanistic trances practices.
Nolwenn Marie, Yannick Lafon, Aminata Bicego, Charlotte Grégoire, Floriane Rousseaux, Antoine Bioy, Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse, Olivia Gosseries
BMC complementary medicine and therapies November 4, 2024 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04678-w via PubMed
Summary
Shamanic trances, which involve altered states of consciousness for problem resolution, are explored through a review of 27 articles. These studies indicate that trances are non-pathological and distinct from normal consciousness, influenced by various personal and environmental factors. Although they may have therapeutic potential, caution is advised regarding their use in complementary therapies, highlighting the need for further rigorous research in this area.
Study at a glance
| Design | review |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 27 |
| Population | scientific literature on shamanic trance |
| Key finding | Shamanic trances are non-pathological and differ from normal states of consciousness, but their therapeutic potential requires cautious evaluation. |
Abstract
Shamanism is a spiritual tradition in which trance practitioners deliberately modify their state of consciousness to seemingly interact with an invisible world to resolve their community members' problems. This review aims to provide a multidisciplinary overview of scientific research on shamanic trance. The search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Twenty-seven articles were found to be eligible, and their data were classified into four dimensions, namely, a) phenomenology, b) psychology, c) neuro-physiological functions, and d) clinical applications. These studies suggest that these trances are non-pathological, different from normal states of consciousness in terms of phenomenology and neurophysiology, and influenced by multiple personal and environmental variables. Furthermore, while trances may offer therapeutic potential, their scope should be approached cautiously, underscoring the need for rigorous studies to assess the effectiveness of shamanic approaches for complementary therapies. Overall, shamanic trance and its potential benefits remain an intriguing and multifaceted area of scientific study, offering insights into the intersections of consciousness, spirituality, and possibly therapy.