Rhythm-Induced Altered States and the Evolution of Human Dance and Music

Rhythmic movement—such as dancing, chanting, and breathwork—is consistently linked to altered states of consciousness across human cultures, though systematic research is scarce. The authors propose four neurobiological mechanisms: modulation of autonomic activity through breathing changes, psychological amplification via expectation and fear, vestibular perturbations that distort proprioception and multisensory integration, and neural entrainment affecting brain oscillations and connectivity. They also review comparative evidence that rhythmic movement induces altered proprioception, arousal, and social attunement in nonhuman great apes, and suggest that rhythmic stereotypies (e.g., rocking, pacing) may be analogues of rhythm-based ASC inductors. These findings point to deep evolutionary roots for rhythm-induced state changes.

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Abstract

Abstract Across human cultures, rhythmic movement appears to be consistently associated with the induction of altered states of consciousness (ASCs), yet research on the topic remains scarce. In this chapter, we examine the potential role of rhythmic movement in ASC induction and its significance for understanding the evolution of dance and music. We discuss the cross-cultural spread of the association between rhythmic movement (e.g. dancing, chanting, breathwork, etc.) and various categories of ASCs and outline four major classes of neurobiological mechanisms that may underlie this association. First, rhythmic movement can accelerate or decelerate breathing and, thus, modulate autonomic activity towards sympathetic or parasympathetic dominance. Second, these can be psychologically amplified through expectation and fear priming. Third, rhythmic practices can induce vestibular perturbations that distort proprioception and multisensory integration. Fourth, through neural entrainment and neural resonance, rhythmic movement can affect brain oscillatory dynamics, as well as the strength and nature of functional connectivity. Building on these mechanistic considerations, we also review emerging comparative evidence that rhythmic movement may induce altered proprioception, arousal and social attunement in the nonhuman great apes, paralleling some of the ASC features reported in humans. We discuss rhythmic stereotypies (e.g. rocking, pacing) as potential analogues of rhythm-based ASC inductors, with implications for understanding the neural circuits involved. Socially synchronised rhythmic behaviours in apes further suggest evolutionary roots for collective ASC practices. These findings underscore potentially deep phylogenetic origins of rhythm-induced state changes and call for integrative research bridging neurobiology, comparative psychology and evolutionary theory to elucidate the role of rhythm in shaping minds across species.