ArticleBrain sciences2021
Rhythmic Chanting and Mystical States across Traditions.
Article in Brain sciences, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed.
- Exploring the Physiological and Psychological Effects of Group Chanting in Australia: Reduced Stress, Cortisol and Enhanced Social Connection.Journal of religion and health · 2024Trial
- Chants across seven traditions share acoustic traits that enhance subjective relaxation.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2025Article
- The neurobiology of altered states of consciousness induced by drumming and other rhythmic sound patterns.Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · 2025Review
- The Psychedelic Renaissance: A Catholic Perspective.The Linacre quarterly · 2025Article
- Reclaiming ritual in palliative care: A hermeneutic narrative review.Palliative & supportive care · 2025Review
- Article
- Differential relationship between meditation methods and psychotic-like and mystical experiences.PloS one · 2024Article
- Autism and Religion.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Review
- Psychedelic replications in virtual reality and their potential as a therapeutic instrument: an open-label feasibility study.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2023Article
- The Altered States Database: Psychometric data from a systematic literature review.Scientific data · 2022Article
- How Chanting Relates to Cognitive Function, Altered States and Quality of Life.Brain sciences · 2022Article
- Effects of Audiovisual Interactions on Working Memory Task Performance-Interference or Facilitation.Brain sciences · 2022Article
- Assessing Vocal Chanting as an Online Psychosocial Intervention.Frontiers in psychology · 2021Article
- Exploring the "Dark Matter" of Social Interaction: Systematic Review of a Decade of Research in Spontaneous Interpersonal Coordination.Frontiers in psychology · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Chanting is a form of rhythmic, repetitive vocalization practiced in a wide range of cultures. It is used in spiritual practice to strengthen community, heal illness, and overcome psychological and emotional difficulties. In many traditions, chanting is used to induce mystical states, an altered state of consciousness characterised by a profound sense of peace. Despite the global prevalence of chanting, its psychological effects are poorly understood. This investigation examined the psychological and contextual factors associated with mystical states during chanting. Data were analyzed from 464 participants across 33 countries who regularly engaged in chanting. Results showed that 60% of participants experienced mystical states during chanting. Absorption, altruism, and religiosity were higher among people who reported mystical states while chanting compared to those who did not report mystical states. There was no difference in mystical experience scores between vocal, silent, group or individual chanting and no difference in the prevalence of mystical states across chanting traditions. However, an analysis of subscales suggested that mystical experiences were especially characterised by positive mood and feelings of ineffability. The research sheds new light on factors that impact upon chanting experiences. A framework for understanding mystical states during chanting is proposed.
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