Characteristics of English-speaking trance channelers.
Explore (New York, N.Y.) January 1, 2020 Helané Wahbeh, Bethany Butzer 24 citations
Trance channeling, a practice with historical roots across many cultures, is more common than often assumed. An online survey of 83 self-identified trance channelers found that most began channeling in middle age and identified as spiritual but not religious. Participants did not show pathological levels of dissociative or psychotic symptoms, anxiety, or depression. Their personality traits, absorption, and empathy were similar to norms, but they scored as sensory-processing sensitives. They reported strong noetic beliefs, including life after death and telepathy. Most described their channeling as willful and conscious, and reported a positive life impact. Lower psychotic symptoms, older age at onset, and higher sensitivity predicted greater positive impact.