Exploring Mystical-Type Experiences Through Auto-Induced Cognitive Trance.
Aminata Bicego, Naji Alnagger, Etzel Cardeña, Corine Sombrun, Charlotte Martial, Jitka Annen, Olivia Gosseries, Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 2025 DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2025.2544055 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-subjects experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 27 |
| Population | Healthy individuals capable of self-inducing auto-induced cognitive trance |
| Interventions | Auto-induced cognitive trance rest rest with auditory stimulation imagination AICT with auditory stimulation |
| Topics | Mystical experience |
| Keywords | Beliefs Mystical-type experiences Trance states |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Auto-induced cognitive trance induced mystical-type experiences in 29% of participants, while the rest condition induced none. |
Abstract
Mystical-type experiences can be induced through techniques like hypnosis and meditation. These experiences are common in near-death experiences (NDEs) and have been linked to paranormal beliefs. This study explored auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT) as a method to induce mystical-type experiences and NDE outside of life threatening situations (NDE-like), as well as examining the influence of factors like religious/spirituality practices, and paranormal beliefs. Twenty-seven participants capable of self-inducing AICT were studied. Before the experiment, their religious/spirituality practices and paranormal beliefs were assessed. Participants underwent five conditions: rest, rest with auditory stimulation, imagination, AICT, and AICT with auditory stimulation. Experience intensity, mystical-type experiences, and NDEs-like were measured before and after AICT and rest. Results showed that AICT induce mystical-type experiences more frequently (29%) compared to the rest condition (0%). More specifically, the intensity of the experience and features of NDEs-like during AICT were linked to mystical-type experiences during AICT only. This is the first study to demonstrate that AICT can induce mystical-type experiences in healthy individuals.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on mystical experience, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 41
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- Quality of Acute Psychedelic Experience Predicts Therapeutic Efficacy of Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Frontiers in Pharmacology January 17, 2018
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