Toward a neurophysiological foundation for altered states of consciousness.
Shadab Tabatabaeian, Carolyn Dicey Jennings
The Behavioral and brain sciences January 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x17002187 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractShamanic altered states of consciousness, although induced by different methods such as drumming, fasting, or psychoactive plants, share underlying neurophysiological features and produce similar cognitive and behavioral effects. This common foundation allows for broader cross-cultural comparisons of shamanic practices, which are not addressed by Singh's cultural evolutionary theory that emphasizes differences between induction methods.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 7 |
| Key finding | Altered states of consciousness induced by different shamanic methods share neurophysiological features and cause shared cognitive and behavioral effects, enabling cross-cultural comparison beyond Singh's theory. |
Abstract
Singh's cultural evolutionary theory posits that methods of inducing shamanic altered states of consciousness differ, resulting in profoundly different cognitive states. We argue that, despite different methods of induction, altered states of consciousness share neurophysiological features and cause shared cognitive and behavioral effects. This common foundation enables further cross-cultural comparison of shamanic activities that is currently left out of Singh's theory.