International journal of psychosomatics : official publication of the International Psychosomatics InstituteJan 1, 1990

Music skills and changes in awareness: an experimental study

Psychedelic Science Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗

Updated Apr 6, 2026

Abstract

The Hypnosis Group scored significantly higher in a musical ability test, particularly in rhythm, with F(1,28) = 25.60, p less than 0.0001.

Music may influence the induction and maintenance of hypnosis.
Altered states of consciousness could enhance musical creativity and production.
30 university students participated, split into a Hypnosis Group and a Control Group.
The Hypnosis Group performed better on retests following post-hypnotic suggestions compared to the Control Group.

Simplified

Some theoretical researchers have hypothesized links between music and altered states of consciousness. Music can influence the induction and maintenance of hypnosis. In addition, some altered states of consciousness may stimulate the musical creativity and musical production of mankind. In this research, the relationship between music and altered states of consciousness is studied from an experimental point of view. The experiments were conducted with 30 university students divided into two groups: the Hypnosis Group and the Control Group. The "Test di abilita musicale" was applied. The first group did the retest after post-hypnotic suggestions and the second in waking conditions. The statistical analysis proved that the Hypnosis Group had better results in the retest than the Control Group, especially in the rhythm test with F(1,28) = 25.60, p less than 0.0001.

Music skills and changes in awareness: an experimental study

Abstract

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