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Exploring mystical-type experiences through auto-induced cognitive trance.

Bicego, Aminata ; Alnagger, Naji ; Cardeña, Etzel LU orcid ; Sombrun, Corine ; Martial, Charlotte ; Annen, Jitka and Gosseries, Olivia (2025) In International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
Abstract
Mystical-type experiences can be induced through techniques like hypnosis and meditation. These experiences are common in near-death experiences (NDEs) and have been linked to paranormal beliefs. This study explored auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT) as a method to induce mystical-type experiences and NDE outside of life threatening situations (NDE-like), as well as examining the influence of factors like religious/spirituality practices, and paranormal beliefs. Twenty-seven participants capable of self-inducing AICT were studied. Before the experiment, their religious/spirituality practices and paranormal beliefs were assessed. Participants underwent five conditions: rest, rest with auditory stimulation, imagination, AICT, and AICT with... (More)
Mystical-type experiences can be induced through techniques like hypnosis and meditation. These experiences are common in near-death experiences (NDEs) and have been linked to paranormal beliefs. This study explored auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT) as a method to induce mystical-type experiences and NDE outside of life threatening situations (NDE-like), as well as examining the influence of factors like religious/spirituality practices, and paranormal beliefs. Twenty-seven participants capable of self-inducing AICT were studied. Before the experiment, their religious/spirituality practices and paranormal beliefs were assessed. Participants underwent five conditions: rest, rest with auditory stimulation, imagination, AICT, and AICT with auditory stimulation. Experience intensity, mystical-type experiences, and NDEs-like were measured before and after AICT and rest. Results showed that AICT induce mystical-type experiences more frequently (29%) compared to the rest condition (0%). More specifically, the intensity of the experience and features of NDEs-like during AICT were linked to mystical-type experiences during AICT only. This is the first study to demonstrate that AICT can induce mystical-type experiences in healthy individuals. (Less)
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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
mystical experience, hypnosis, auto-induced cognitive trance
in
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
publisher
Routledge
external identifiers
  • pmid:41342562
ISSN
1744-5183
DOI
10.1080/00207144.2025.2544055
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3f768c52-8835-46b1-9bcd-eb472e63e22d
date added to LUP
2025-12-07 09:07:18
date last changed
2025-12-08 09:20:09
@article{3f768c52-8835-46b1-9bcd-eb472e63e22d,
  abstract     = {{Mystical-type experiences can be induced through techniques like hypnosis and meditation. These experiences are common in near-death experiences (NDEs) and have been linked to paranormal beliefs. This study explored auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT) as a method to induce mystical-type experiences and NDE outside of life threatening situations (NDE-like), as well as examining the influence of factors like religious/spirituality practices, and paranormal beliefs. Twenty-seven participants capable of self-inducing AICT were studied. Before the experiment, their religious/spirituality practices and paranormal beliefs were assessed. Participants underwent five conditions: rest, rest with auditory stimulation, imagination, AICT, and AICT with auditory stimulation. Experience intensity, mystical-type experiences, and NDEs-like were measured before and after AICT and rest. Results showed that AICT induce mystical-type experiences more frequently (29%) compared to the rest condition (0%). More specifically, the intensity of the experience and features of NDEs-like during AICT were linked to mystical-type experiences during AICT only. This is the first study to demonstrate that AICT can induce mystical-type experiences in healthy individuals.}},
  author       = {{Bicego, Aminata and Alnagger, Naji and Cardeña, Etzel and Sombrun, Corine and Martial, Charlotte and Annen, Jitka and Gosseries, Olivia}},
  issn         = {{1744-5183}},
  keywords     = {{mystical experience; hypnosis; auto-induced cognitive trance}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  publisher    = {{Routledge}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis}},
  title        = {{Exploring mystical-type experiences through auto-induced cognitive trance.}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2025.2544055}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/00207144.2025.2544055}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}