3 - 4 pm (CET)

Yoel Gordon (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)

In this presentation I will introduce the topic of rhythmically induced altered states of consciousness and share my research, which explores this topic from the perspective of modern neuroscience.

Many forms of consciousness deviate from our everyday waking consciousness. These include dreaming sleep, psychoactive induced states, hypnosis and trance. Such states are referred to as Altered States of Consciousness (ASC). Of these states, the trance state is characterized by narrowed awareness to external surroundings, perceptual distortions and change in sense of time.

Various cultures, present and past, enter a trance state in rituals for numerous reasons, such as healing or communicating with the divine. Striking cross-cultural similarities could be found in the reported experiences and induction methods, despite vast differences in cultures or geographic locations. Most prominently, many cultures use repetitive rhythmic drumming in specific similar rhythms to induce such a trance. These similarities could hint on a common biological basis, which these rhythms could be interacting with.

Using cutting edge neuroscience tools and various implicit and explicit measurements of subjective experience (such as subjective perception of time), I seek to understand in my study the intrinsic cognitive foundations of the phenomena.

Participants can join the online Chronoi Talk by clicking on the following link:

https://fu-berlin.webex.com/fu-berlin/j.php?MTID=m731b5211156b45e1d4f2a404e07f868d

The conference room can be accessed using the following methods:

• Joining directly in your browser; simply click the link above, and look for a button with this option near the bottom of the webpage.

• Downloading the program to your computer (instructions can be found by following the meeting link)

• Using the smartphone app called “Cisco Webex Meetings."

You are welcome to enter the online conference room up to 15 minutes in advance of the start time.