Mind-body medicine and altered states of consciousness in Homo
Anthropological Review October 18, 2024 Kazhaleh Mohammadi, Arthur Saniotis
Altered states of consciousness (ASC) may have provided evolutionary advantages for early hominins by enhancing individual fitness and social cohesion. This review traces ASC from ancient Greek dualistic models of mind and body to modern integrative approaches in Mind-Body Medicine (MBM). It draws parallels between tonic immobility in animals and ASC in humans and non-human primates, and examines neurochemical pathways—serotonergic and dopaminergic regulation—that promote social behaviors, cognitive flexibility, and emotional regulation. The default mode network's role in relation to psychotropic substances and ASC is also explored. The integrated perspective suggests that the ability to enter ASC, through rituals, meditation, and other practices, was a precursor to current MBM techniques.