Athanasia Kontouli

The rhythms of trance: Cultural phenomenology and neural mechanisms of music-induced non-ordinary states of consciousness.

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews July 1, 2026 Athanasia Kontouli, Michael J Hove, Alexandre Lehmann et al.

This review integrates anthropological and neuroscientific perspectives to elucidate music-induced trance processes and their relevance to non-ordinary states of consciousness (NSCs). The objectives are to deepen the understanding of trance phenomena, delineate links across diverse trance expressions, and inform future neuroscientific research. Drawing on anthropological insights, we examine...