Scoping review on shamanistic trances practices.
Nolwenn Marie, Yannick Lafon, Aminata Bicego, Charlotte Grégoire, Floriane Rousseaux, Antoine Bioy, Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse, Olivia Gosseries
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies November 4, 2024 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04678-w (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind Shamanism |
| Keywords | Clinical applications Trance |
| Citations | 13 |
| Key findings | Shamanic trances are non-pathological, distinct from normal consciousness in phenomenology and neurophysiology, and influenced by personal and environmental variables, with potential therapeutic applications requiring further study. |
Abstract
Shamanism is a spiritual tradition in which trance practitioners deliberately modify their state of consciousness to seemingly interact with an invisible world to resolve their community members' problems. This review aims to provide a multidisciplinary overview of scientific research on shamanic trance. The search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Twenty-seven articles were found to be eligible, and their data were classified into four dimensions, namely, a) phenomenology, b) psychology, c) neuro-physiological functions, and d) clinical applications. These studies suggest that these trances are non-pathological, different from normal states of consciousness in terms of phenomenology and neurophysiology, and influenced by multiple personal and environmental variables. Furthermore, while trances may offer therapeutic potential, their scope should be approached cautiously, underscoring the need for rigorous studies to assess the effectiveness of shamanic approaches for complementary therapies. Overall, shamanic trance and its potential benefits remain an intriguing and multifaceted area of scientific study, offering insights into the intersections of consciousness, spirituality, and possibly therapy.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shamanism as a Clinical Intervention: A Scoping Review | 2025 | Systematic review | |
| Antinociceptive Efficacy of Shamanic Healing for the Management of Temporomandibular Disorders: An Evidence-Based Review. Females with temporomandibular disorders, mean age 38.3 years | 2024 | Systematic review | n = 3 |
| Comprehensive Literature Review: Transpersonal Psychology, Transpersonal Psychotherapy, and Transpersonal Hypnotherapy (1960s–2026) | 2026 | Systematic review | |
| Ethnomedicinal and Shamanism in Bhotia Tribes Bhotia tribes in Uttarakhand's trans-Himalayan valleys | 2023 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Shamanic Imagery and Ritual Experience: An Empirical Study of Emotions, Beliefs, and States of Consciousness Religions July 11, 2025
- A Fragmented Mind: Altered States of Consciousness and Spirit Possession Between Rituals and Therapy. Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science July 30, 2025
- Therapeutic Use of Auto-Induced Cognitive Trance in a Chronic Pain Setting: A Case Study Using Mixed Methodology OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine March 5, 2025
- Exploring Mystical-Type Experiences Through Auto-Induced Cognitive Trance. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 2025
- The Esoteric Mind in Modern Science and Medicine July 3, 2026
and 4 more in the library
Cites 36
- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
- The Psychedelic State Induced by Ayahuasca Modulates the Activity and Connectivity of the Default Mode Network PLoS One February 18, 2015
- A neurophenomenological approach to non-ordinary states of consciousness: hypnosis, meditation, and psychedelics Trends in Cognitive Sciences December 22, 2022
- Clinical Trials of Meditation Practices in Health Care: Characteristics and Quality The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine December 1, 2008
- Brain changes during a shamanic trance: Altered modes of consciousness, hemispheric laterality, and systemic psychobiology Cogent Psychology April 24, 2017
and 31 more in the library