Scientific Reports
September 22, 2023
Victor Oswald, Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse, Jitka Annen et al.
24 citations
Self-induced cognitive trance (SICT) is a voluntary non-ordinary state of consciousness involving narrowed awareness, hyper-focused immersion, and altered perception. This study examined autonomic nervous system changes during SICT by measuring heart rate variability and respiration rate variability in 25 proficient participants across three conditions: resting state, SICT, and a mental imagery task. During SICT, participants showed increased heart rate, decreased high-frequency heart rate variability, and specific increases in respiratory amplitude, phase ratio, and respiration rate variability compared to control conditions. These findings suggest SICT is associated with reduced parasympathetic activity, indicating a hyperarousal state of the autonomic nervous system.
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.
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.
Médecine Intensive Réanimation
July 30, 2020
Floriane Rousseaux, Aminata Bicego, Christophe Malengreaux et al.
2 citations
Hypnosis can increase comfort for patients in intensive care by significantly reducing pain and anxiety. Neuroimaging shows altered brain activation and functional connectivity in networks related to internal and external awareness and sensory perceptions such as pain. Hypnotic techniques may help improve respiratory weaning conditions for intubated and ventilated patients. Although some emerging studies investigate effective use of hypnosis in intensive care, controlled and randomized trials are still needed to draw conclusions about precise benefits.