Assessing the relationship between neural entrainment and altered states of consciousness induced by electronic music

Summary

Ever wonder why electronic music makes you feel a certain way? Research shows that specific music tempos can synchronize brain activity, a process called entrainment. A recent investigation explored how different electronic music tempos affect this brain entrainment and listeners' experiences. Participants listened to various beats while their brain activity was monitored. It was found that a tempo of 1.65 Hz led to the strongest brain entrainment and a heightened sense of unity. Crucially, a clear link emerged between brain entrainment and faster reaction times, suggesting a fascinating connection between rhythmic music, brain synchronization, and cognitive performance.

Abstract

In electronic music events, the driving four-on-the-floor music appears pivotal for inducing altered states of consciousness (ASCs). While various physiological mechanisms link repetitive auditory stimuli to ASCs, entrainment—a brainwave synchronization through periodic external stimuli— has garnered primary focus. However, there are no studies systematically exploring the relationship between entrainment and ASCs. In the present study, we depart from the finding that entrainment to auditory stimuli peaks for stimulation rates around 2 Hz compared to others. Twenty participants listened to six one-minute electronic music excerpts at different tempos (1.65 Hz, 2.25 Hz, and 2.85 Hz). For each excerpt, they performed cognitive tasks and reported phenomenological experiences related to ASCs through questionnaires. Brain activity was recorded with electroencephalography to assess whether a modulation in entrainment by the beat of electronic music affected objective and subjective proxies of ASCs. Our results revealed a tempo-driven entrainment modulation, peaking at 1.65 Hz. Similarly, participants’ experience of unity during listening to the music was higher for the excerpts at 1.65 Hz, yet no relationship with entrainment was found. Critically, a correlation was found between entrainment and participants’ reaction time. Further studies are granted to explore how individual traits, such as musical training, modulate the relationship.

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