Single-case report: dynamic changes in cardiac function during shamanic journeying and Qigong meditation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychophysiology
• Integrative Medicine

Background:

• Shamanic journeying is an ancient spiritual practice with known effects on brain activity.
• The impact of shamanic journeying on physiological measures, specifically heart rate variability (HRV), remains largely unexplored.
• Understanding these physiological changes can offer insights into the holistic healing potential of shamanic practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the acute effects of shamanic journeying on heart rate variability (HRV).
• To compare HRV changes during shamanic journeying with those observed during Qigong meditation.
• To explore the dynamic physiological responses associated with different phases of shamanic practice.

Main Methods:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were recorded from participants during shamanic journeying and Qigong meditation sessions.
• Heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, including time-domain (BPM, AVRR, SDRR, RMSSD, pNN50) and frequency-domain (LF, HF, LF/HF ratio) measures, were analyzed.
• ECG data were visualized using Electrocardiomatrix (ECM) software for qualitative assessment.

Main Results:

• Shamanic drumming initiation led to decreased BPM and increased HRV measures (SDRR, RMSSD, pNN50, LF power, LF/HF ratio).
• Shapeshifting phases induced further complex changes, including increased BPM and SDRR, and decreased AVRR and LF/HF ratio.
• Qigong meditation also significantly increased HRV parameters, with some changes exceeding those observed during shamanic drumming.

Conclusions:

• Shamanic journeying induces dynamic and widespread changes in cardiac function and physiology.
• These physiological alterations can be effectively monitored using ultra-short-term HRV analysis and visualized with ECM software.
• The study provides objective physiological evidence supporting the profound effects of shamanic practices on the body.