Since the beginning of time, rhythm and sound have been gateways to altered states. Whether it’s tribal drumming, Sufi whirling, or ancient chanting, humans have used music to tap into something beyond the everyday mind. Fast forward to today, and techno and trance are doing the exact same thing—except now, the ritual space is a dancefloor, and the shamans are artists who ar conscious of their art.
Ever wonder why a deep, rolling techno or trance set can put you in a state of trance? It’s not just the bass or the endless groove—it’s science. A big part of what makes hypnotic electronic music so powerful is its use of polyrhythms—multiple rhythms layered together in a way that messes with your brain’s natural habit of processing things in a straight line.
When the brain gets hit with these complex, overlapping beats, it stops trying to “figure it out” and instead syncs up with the rhythm—a phenomenon called brainwave entrainment. Depending on the tempo and patterns, this can lead to different mental states:
•Alpha waves (8-12 Hz): Relaxed, slightly meditative, cruising through the groove.
•Theta waves (4-8 Hz): Deep trance, dream-like, out-of-body vibes.
•Gamma waves (30-100 Hz): Intense focus, peak experience, expanded consciousness.
That’s why after hours of dancing, you might feel like you’ve meditated for six months or unlocked some hidden insight about yourself. Your brain is literally shifting gears, and the music is the driver.
Tribal cultures have always used repetitive beats to enter altered states—whether through drumming, chanting, or dancing around a fire. Techno and trance do the exact same thing, just with synths and 909 kicks instead of hand drums.
The steady, hypnotic pulse of electronic music helps shut down overthinking and pulls you into a flow state—that feeling when time disappears, you’re fully in the moment, and everything feels effortless. This isn’t just a cool mental trick; it’s the same state of consciousness that mystics, monks, and psychonauts have sought for centuries.
At the same time, the repetition and build-ups in hypnotic music can stimulate dopamine and endorphin release, making you feel euphoric, emotionally open, and completely present. That’s why a great set can take you on a journey—sometimes deeper into yourself, sometimes completely out of your body.
Think about it: You enter a dark, enclosed space. The bass rumbles through your body. The rhythm takes over. You lose your sense of self. You move without thinking. Sound familiar? It’s basically a ritual trance state, just with Funktion-One speakers instead of a campfire.
In the right setting, dancing to techno or trance isn’t just fun—it’s a full-on shamanic practice. It’s a way to process emotions, shed mental baggage, and reset your nervous system. The longer you go, the deeper you drop, and by the time the sun comes up, you feel reborn.
With more research coming out on music therapy, psychedelics, and altered states, it’s only a matter of time before people fully wake up to the fact that a proper rave can be more therapeutic than years of therapy. Whether it’s for stress relief, trauma healing, or just tapping into something bigger than yourself, electronic music is one of the most powerful tools we have.
So next time you hit the dancefloor, know that you’re not just moving—you’re rewiring your brain, shifting your consciousness, and taking part in an ancient human ritual.