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Neural Correlates of a Trance Process and Alternative States of Consciousness in a Traditional Healer

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Rogerson, Rebecca G., Barnstaple, Rebecca E., DeSouza, Joseph FX·2021·Brain Sciences
DOI 10.3390/brainsci11040497PMC PMC8070722

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Abstract

Trance processes are a form of altered states of consciousness (ASC) widely reported across cultures. Entering these states is often linked to auditory stimuli such as singing, chanting, or rhythmic drumming. While scientific research into this phenomenon is relatively nascent, there is emerging interest in investigating the neural correlates of altered states of consciousness such as trance. This report aims to add to this field of ASC through exploring how the perception of an experienced Sangoma (traditional South African healer) entering a trance process correlates to blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal modulation with auditory stimuli. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data were analyzed using a General Linear Model comparing music versus no music condition multiplied by the percept of experiencing trance (High or Low). Positive BOLD activation was shown in the auditory cortex in both hemispheres during a trance process. Other brain regions tightly correlated to trance perception were the right parietal, right frontal, and area prostriata (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected). The orbitofrontal cortex (part of the Default Mode Network) was negatively activated and most correlated with music when trance was high, showing the largest differential between high and low trance perception. This is the first study to directly correlate BOLD signal variations in an expert subject’s percept of trance onset and intensity, providing insight into the neural signature and dynamics of this unique form of ASC. Future studies should examine in greater detail the perception of trance processes in expert subjects, adding other neuroimaging modalities to further investigate how these brain regions are modulated by trance expertise.

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  • Studies reported bodily manifestations during shamanic trance, including rapid eyelid fluttering, accelerated breathing, dizziness, buzzing head, heaviness, and modification of heart rate.

    “bodily manifestations (rapid fluttering of the eyelids, accelerated breathing, feeling of dizziness, buzzing head, heaviness, modification of heart rate) [4, 15, 74]”

    From Scoping review on shamanistic trances practices (2024) · cites this paper as [74]

    The Results section reports that one traditional healer experienced rapid eyelid fluttering and increased breathing during trance. It does not report dizziness, a buzzing head, heaviness, or a change in heart rate; those parts of the cited list are not supported by this paper. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Studies reported a modification of perception and awareness of the body during shamanic trance (N = 15, N = 4).

    “a modification of perception and awareness of the body (e.g., mental imagery, sensation of floating, communication with entities, reliving traumatic experiences from a new perspective/better understanding of life/disease) (N = 15, N = 4) [15, 19, 74]”

    From Scoping review on shamanistic trances practices (2024) · cites this paper as [74]

    The Results report altered bodily awareness, mental imagery, and a sensation of flying or floating during trance. But Materials and Methods identifies this as a single-participant study, so it does not support the stated sample sizes of N = 15 and N = 4; the reported experience also does not include reliving trauma or gaining a new understanding of life or disease. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Studies reported a mystical experience (feeling of ecstasy) during shamanic trance (N = 1).

    “a mystical experience (feeling of ecstasy) (N = 1) [29, 74]”

    From Scoping review on shamanistic trances practices (2024) · cites this paper as [74]

  • Studies based on free speech reported an increase in internal and external awareness during shamanic trance (N = 1).

    “Other studies based on free speech similarly reported an increase in internal and external awareness (N = 1) [74]”

    From Scoping review on shamanistic trances practices (2024) · cites this paper as [74]

  • Three fMRI studies have highlighted the implication of important areas of the default mode network with the activation of the posterior cingulate cortex and the modulation of the orbitofrontal cortex during trance.

    “Moreover, three fMRI studies have highlighted the implication of important areas of the default mode network (DMN) with the activation of the PCC [8, 60] and the modulation of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) during trance [60, 74].”

    From Scoping review on shamanistic trances practices (2024) · cites this paper as [74]

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

  • Scoping review on shamanistic trances practices

    Marie, N., Lafon, Y., Bicego, A., Grégoire, C., Rousseaux, F., Bioy, A., Vanhaudenhuyse, A., & Gosseries, O. (2024) · BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies · doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04678-w · Cited by 15 · see citing works

    “Moreover, three fMRI studies have highlighted the implication of important areas of the default mode network (DMN) with the activation of the PCC [8, 60] and the modulation of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) during trance [60, 74].”
    BackgroundInfluential

Authors
Rogerson, R. G., Barnstaple, R. E., & DeSouza, J. F.
Affiliations
York University (CA)
Corresponding author
DeSouza, Joseph FX
ORCID
Venue
Brain Sciences
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-04-14
Volume
11
Issue
4
Pages
497
ISSN
2076-3425 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/brainsci11040497
PMC
PMC8070722
OpenAlex
W3154657762
Cited by
14
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2
FWCI
1.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Brain Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (2017-05647)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Pain Management and Placebo Effect
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
Keywords
trance, altered states of consciousness, sangoma, traditional healers, music perception, auditory cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, default mode network, BOLD signal

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