The key finding
A 2025 review published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences found that rhythmic sounds like drumming induce altered states of consciousness by synchronizing brain pathways to low-frequency activity. Researchers propose that exposure to these repetitive auditory patterns facilitates absorption and relaxation, creating mental states that share neural features with both meditation and psychedelic experiences. The review synthesized behavioral, cognitive, and neural evidence showing that rhythmic sound practices—used across cultures for millennia—operate through a specific mechanism: entrainment of thalamocortical pathways, the brain circuits connecting the thalamus (a sensory relay station) to the cortex (responsible for conscious thought).
What the study looked like
This was a narrative review, meaning researchers systematically examined existing studies rather than conducting new experiments. The authors analyzed published research on rhythmic auditory stimulation—primarily drumming and similar repetitive sound patterns—and their effects on consciousness. They drew from studies using various methodologies, including brain imaging (EEG, fMRI), behavioral assessments, and subjective reports of altered states. The reviewed research spanned different cultural practices, from shamanic drumming ceremonies to controlled laboratory experiments where participants listened to rhythmic beats at specific frequencies. Because this was a synthesis of diverse studies rather than a single controlled trial, the findings represent patterns observed across multiple populations and experimental designs, though specific sample sizes varied widely among the included studies.
Why researchers think this happened
The authors propose that rhythmic sounds induce altered states through neural entrainment—the brain’s tendency to synchronize its electrical activity to external rhythms. Specifically, repetitive auditory patterns appear to entrain thalamocortical pathways to low-frequency oscillations (slower brain waves). The thalamus acts as a gatekeeper for sensory information, and when its rhythmic firing synchronizes with external beats, it can shift the brain into states characterized by reduced sensory filtering and altered awareness. Intriguingly, the review notes that this low-frequency thalamocortical activity also characterizes psychotic and psychedelic states, suggesting a shared neural mechanism across different types of consciousness alteration. The researchers connect these findings to long-standing cultural practices: humans may have intuitively discovered that rhythmic sounds reliably shift mental states because they directly influence fundamental brain oscillation patterns that regulate consciousness and attention.
How to read this carefully
As a narrative review rather than a controlled experiment, this study synthesizes existing research with varying methodologies, which means the conclusions reflect broad patterns rather than definitive mechanisms. The authors themselves note that neural findings were “diverse,” reflecting differences in how studies measured brain activity (EEG versus fMRI, for example). Importantly, correlation does not equal causation—while rhythmic sounds are associated with altered brain states, the exact causal pathways remain incompletely understood. The comparison to psychotic and psychedelic states describes shared neural patterns, not identical experiences or outcomes. Additionally, most studies likely involved small sample sizes typical of neuroimaging research, and cultural context (ceremonial settings versus laboratory headphones) may significantly influence subjective experiences in ways not fully captured by brain scans alone.
What this means for everyday life
This research helps explain why practices like drumming circles, certain types of music, and rhythmic meditation techniques feel transformative to many people—they may literally be changing your brain wave patterns. If you’ve ever felt transported by repetitive music or found drumming meditative, you were likely experiencing this entrainment effect. Given these findings, it might be worth exploring rhythmic practices if you’re interested in mindfulness or altered perspectives, though individual responses vary. The study also validates indigenous and traditional practices that have long used drumming for healing and spiritual purposes, offering a neurobiological framework for understanding their effects. However, remember that altered states exist on a spectrum, and rhythmic sounds won’t replicate clinical treatments or psychedelic therapy—they’re simply one tool among many for shifting consciousness in potentially beneficial ways.