Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences
May 9, 2024
Olivia Gosseries, Nolwenn Marie, Yannick Lafon et al.
16 citations
Trance states, found across cultures from shamanic rituals to contemporary practices, are increasingly studied by researchers and clinicians. This review describes their common phenomenological features, such as altered awareness and perception. Using advanced neuroscientific techniques, it reports on the neural mechanisms underlying these states, including changes in brain connectivity and dynamics. The review also examines clinical applications, suggesting that trance states may be useful in therapeutic settings. By connecting subjective experience, brain function, and practical use, it advances understanding of trance and its potential benefits.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
November 4, 2024
Nolwenn Marie, Yannick Lafon, Aminata Bicego et al.
13 citations
Shamanic trances are non-pathological altered states of consciousness that differ from normal waking states in phenomenology and neurophysiology. A review of 27 studies classified findings into four dimensions: phenomenology, psychology, neuro-physiological functions, and clinical applications. The trances are influenced by multiple personal and environmental variables and may offer therapeutic potential, but the evidence is preliminary and requires rigorous studies to assess effectiveness for complementary therapies. The review highlights shamanic trance as a multifaceted area of study at the intersections of consciousness, spirituality, and therapy.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
April 28, 2023
Aminata Bicego, Héléna Cassol, Jessica Simon et al.
13 citations
Spiritual beliefs, Openness to experience, and Fantasy proneness are associated with recalling a near-death experience (NDE) or an NDE-like experience (similar phenomenology without a life-threatening context). In a retrospective study of 181 people divided into four groups—NDE experiencers, NDE-like experiencers, controls who faced a life-threatening situation without an NDE, and controls with neither—multivariate logistic regression showed that spiritual beliefs predicted NDE-like recall, while Openness and Fantasy proneness predicted NDE recall. A discriminant analysis using these variables correctly classified only 35% of cases, indicating other factors also play a role.
The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis
January 1, 2024
Mélanie Louras, Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse, Rajanikant Panda et al.
8 citations
Combining virtual reality with mind-body therapies such as meditation, mindfulness, relaxation, and hypnosis can reduce pain in both healthy volunteers and patients. A scoping review of 43 studies found that the combination is feasible, well-tolerated, and potentially useful for decreasing pain, and also improves anxiety, mood, and relaxation. However, insufficient research and a lack of multidimensional studies limit full understanding of their potential. More randomized controlled trials with usability evaluations are needed to incorporate these approaches into routine clinical practice.
Neuroscience of consciousness
January 1, 2024
Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse, Marie-Carmen Castillo, Charlotte Martial et al.
7 citations
Auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT) produces richer and more distinct subjective experiences than ordinary rest, auditory stimulation, or imagination. In 27 trained participants, free recalls of experiences were longer during AICT than in other conditions. Text mining identified four distinct classes of discourse, with AICT forming its own class clearly separate from ordinary conscious states. Nine content categories emerged, including nature, animals, body modifications, and difficulty describing thoughts. AICT was specifically characterized by reports of nature, animals, body modifications, and difficulty describing thoughts. These findings indicate that AICT generates a unique and richer phenomenology compared to other conscious states.
OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine
March 5, 2025
Gaëtan Collignon, Aminata Bicego, Marie-élisabeth Faymonville et al.
2 citations
A 68-year-old man with chronic pain from an open Spina Bifida at L4-L5 used auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT) to manage his condition. After four days of training, pain intensity, anxiety, and depression slightly decreased; most attitudes and beliefs improved; the mental component of quality of life improved while the physical component decreased, and the patient reported his overall health had worsened. Qualitative analysis of his diary over two months revealed themes including trance characteristics, pain location, difficulties with practice, and medical history. The findings suggest AICT may alter subjective pain experience, but its effects on physical health and global well-being were mixed.
The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis
January 1, 2025
Aminata Bicego, Naji Alnagger, Etzel Cardeña et al.
1 citation
Auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT) can produce mystical-type experiences in healthy individuals, with 29% of participants reporting such experiences during AICT compared to none during a rest condition. The study examined twenty-seven people who could self-induce AICT, measuring their religious and spiritual practices and paranormal beliefs beforehand. Participants completed five conditions including rest, imagination, and AICT with or without auditory stimulation. The intensity of the AICT experience and features resembling near-death experiences were linked to mystical-type experiences only during AICT. This is the first demonstration that AICT, a technique distinct from hypnosis or meditation, can induce mystical-type experiences outside life-threatening situations.