Trance practice and well-being measures: the case of Auto-Induced Cognitive Trance
medRxiv July 17, 2026 Amandine Fernandez, Alexandre Foncelle, Hélène Meunier et al.
Auto-Induced Cognitive Trance (AICT), a non-ordinary state of consciousness entered by will alone after learning a standardized procedure, is associated with greater well-being. Among 607 survey respondents (436 AICT-trained, 171 yet-to-be trained), practitioners reported higher self-esteem and overall connectedness—to self, others, and the world—than non-practitioners. Longer AICT practice was linked to further benefits: lower trait anxiety, higher positive affect, and stronger connectedness. The findings suggest AICT may improve well-being shortly after training, with continued practice yielding added gains in anxiety reduction and positive mood.