Music and states of consciousness: A narrative review of the broader significance of music to understanding absorption, mind wandering and creative thought.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews December 1, 2024 Pedro T Palhares, Madalina I Sas, Óscar F Gonçalves
Music reliably alters mental and physical states, making it a natural tool for studying consciousness. This narrative review assesses how empirical research in music psychology and neuroscience has contributed to understanding non-ordinary states of consciousness, including absorption, mind wandering, and creative thought. The authors argue that music's unique capacity to induce such states offers special insight into consciousness, yet music-related studies remain marginalized in the broader field. They critically evaluate key contributions and identify how music's distinctive aspects can shape future investigations. The review concludes that integrating music into consciousness research is essential and highlights promising interdisciplinary avenues for exploration.