Altered states of consciousness induced by online chanting meditation
Gemma Perry, Yanan Sun, Vince Polito, William Forde Thompson
Current Psychology May 21, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-025-07889-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Experienced and novice meditators |
| Intervention | Chanting meditation |
| Duration | 10-minute intervention |
| Measures | Ego dissolution, mystical states, mindfulness, social connection, anxiety |
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness Meditation |
| Key findings | Online chanting led to higher ego dissolution and mystical state scores than listening, but only for experienced chanters. |
Abstract
Chanting is a universal practice with deep ethnocultural roots. More recently, chanting has become popular on online platforms and meditation apps which have extended chanting practices beyond their original cultural, sacred, and healing traditions. The aim of the current study was to determine if online chanting meditation promotes altered states of consciousness and psychosocial benefits when compared to a narrative listening control and whether there are different effects of online chanting for experienced and novice meditators. Experienced and novice chanters completed a 10-minute online chanting or listening activity prior to measures of ego dissolution, mystical states, mindfulness, social connection and anxiety. Differences between chanting conditions (chanting vs. listening) and experience (experienced vs. novice meditators) were examined using 2 × 2 ANOVAs and ANCOVAs, controlling for spirituality. Results showed ego dissolution and mystical state scores were higher in the chanting compared to the listening condition for experienced chanters, but not for novices. Spirituality was also a significant covariate for ego dissolution, mystical experience and mindfulness, suggesting these states of consciousness were partially dependent on spiritual or religious beliefs. This research shows that an online chanting intervention can lead to marked altered states of consciousness for individuals with prior experience with chanting. The findings may inform future design and development of contemplative activities.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changes in global and thalamic brain connectivity in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness are attributable to the 5-HT2A receptor Healthy human participants | 2018 | Double-blind, randomized, counterbalanced, cross-over study | n = 24 |
| Effective connectivity changes in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness in humans. Healthy participants | 2019 | Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study | n = 25 |
| Dose-related effects of salvinorin A in humans: dissociative, hallucinogenic, and memory effects. Healthy hallucinogen-using adults | 2013 | Double-blind, placebo-controlled study | n = 8 |
| High doses of dextromethorphan, an NMDA antagonist, produce effects similar to classic hallucinogens. Healthy volunteers with histories of hallucinogen use | 2012 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 12 |
| A placebo-controlled investigation of synaesthesia-like experiences under LSD. | 2016 | Within-groups placebo-controlled pilot study |
Citations in the library
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- Ego-Dissolution and Psychedelics: Validation of the Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI) Frontiers in Human Neuroscience June 14, 2016
- Set and setting, psychedelics and the placebo response: An extra-pharmacological perspective on psychopharmacology Journal of Psychopharmacology November 16, 2016
and 23 more in the library