From a neurological viewpoint ...?

Question

"... that sound, properly understood, especially percussive sound, can actually change neurological states, ..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAQVkEI2VrY&mode=related&search=
(it's the video link to the song it comes from)

No need to slag the statement off in detail should you feel the need. I know there's a few open minded neurologistsy types of people on Answers!. Hope you catch this question. :-)

I alo know it's terence McKenna. Leave it out ...I just like the Shamen ;-)

Answer 1

Well, of course, the sound will trigger alterations in the auditory cortex--one quite hopes that's not at all what you mean here!

Sonic energy can, it has been observed, modify the levels of any one of a number of endocrine compounds; it is not irrational to suspect that it could equally increase the liklihood of the presynaptic vesicles unloading into a synapse--perhaps allow them to be more easily emptied--if the frequencies were right.

One suspects, however, that it would be more likely to be harmonics of the audible frequencies.

High enough energy sound at high enough frequencies can disrupt cellular integrity; I suspect taht could easily change the state of the disrupted neuron...

Answer 2

Sound is well known to change neurological states

Take for instance the many and varied neurological states experienced by humans exposed to the sound of "The Macarena"