The incredible impact of electronic music on our state of consciousness

Electronic music, far beyond simple entertainment, appears to have a profound effect on our brain and consciousness, reveals a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Barcelona. The results of this study suggest that listening to this genre of music could induce an alteration in consciousness, leading listeners into a particular trance state.


This research focused on the phenomenon of "entrainment" in biomusicology, which explores how an external stimulus, such as music, can synchronize brain neural activity. To do this, the scientists exposed a group of 19 young adults to six different electronic music tracks, characterized by frequencies ranging from 1.65 Hz to 2.85 Hz.

The participants were then subjected to cognitive tasks and filled out questionnaires aiming to assess their perception of the state of consciousness after listening to each track. The results showed that the slowest tempo, at 1.65 Hz, had the most pronounced effects on the participants' brain activity.

The data analysis revealed a correlation between the music's tempo and the participants' reaction time during cognitive tasks. However, no significant change related to concentration was observed. These findings suggest that electronic music can influence the way our brain processes information and responds to external stimuli.

The Spanish researchers, led by Raquel Aparicio-Terrés, utilized the method of electroencephalography to record the participants' brain activity during the experiment. The results showed that the brain activity appeared to synchronize with the music's rhythm, which could explain the intense sensations felt by listeners.

This study sheds new light on the effects of electronic music on our brain and consciousness. It could also pave the way for new therapies for people suffering from consciousness disorders, such as coma or vegetative state. However, the researchers emphasize the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms of these effects before they can be fully exploited.