Shamanism and Altered States of Consciousness
Anthropology of Consciousness June 1, 1994 Douglass Price‐williams, Dureen J. Hughes 27 citations
Altered states of consciousness (ASCs) are reported globally and include shamanism, meditation, trance, possession, and channeling. The social functions of shamanism are known, but its psychological aspects remain poorly understood. Stimulus situations that induce ASCs include drugs, music, imagery, and technological feedback devices. Physiology of ASCs is reviewed, along with whether these phenomena are considered pathological. Many people worldwide use trance, possession, and shamanic practices for healing. The adaptive functions of ASCs are considered within the history of psychology.