Trance
Like hypnosis, cognitive trance is a practice that voluntarily induces a modified state of consciousness. Corine Sombrun, who inspired the story of Fabienne Berthaud's movie "Un monde plus grand", has been collaborating with researchers since 2006 with the aim of understanding the cerebral mechanisms related to trance states
The results of these studies have initiated new research protocols, notably at the CHU and the University of Liège under the direction of Dr. Olivia Gosseries and Dr. Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse, in collaboration with Prof. Steven Laureys. Corine Sombrun, expert in cognitive trance, has developed a technique allowing individuals to induce a trance-state by listening to a loop of sounds and then by will alone.
While hypnosis is a technique that leads to a state of relaxation combined to mental imagery, trance is based on movement, singing and body expression. Numerous observations suggest that cognitive trance could have an interesting therapeutic potential yet no scientific study has been conducted. This study, is the result of a collaboration between ULiège, the CHU and the TranceScience Research Institute (Paris) and will be the first worldwide study on trance with a clinical application.
