Exploring shamanic journeying: repetitive drumming with shamanic instructions induces specific subjective experiences but no larger cortisol decrease than instrumental meditation music.
PLoS One July 7, 2014 Bruno Gingras, Gerald Pohler, W. Tecumseh Fitch 33 citations
Repetitive drumming paired with shamanic instructions produces distinct subjective experiences, such as visions or altered states, but does not lead to a greater reduction in cortisol levels compared to listening to instrumental meditation music. The findings suggest that while the shamanic practice can evoke specific psychological effects, its physiological stress-reducing impact is not superior to that of meditation music.