979 results for "Mindfulness"
Subject-independent Classification of Meditative State from the Resting State using EEG
arXiv Preprint Archive – April 25, 2025
Summary
Brain wave patterns can reveal when someone is meditating with remarkable accuracy. Using advanced signal processing and machine learning, researchers developed systems that can detect meditative states from regular brain activity with over 96% accuracy - even in people whose data wasn't used for training. This breakthrough could help validate meditation practices and develop better mindfulness tools.
Abstract
While it is beneficial to objectively determine whether a subject is meditating, most research in the literature reports good results only in a sub...
Can psychedelic use benefit meditation practice? Examining individual, psychedelic, and meditation-related factors.
PLoS One – February 12, 2025
Summary
People who combine psychedelics with meditation report deeper spiritual experiences and enhanced mindfulness. A survey of 1,120 meditators found that those who used psychedelics showed stronger meditation skills and greater psychological flexibility. The intensity of psychedelic experiences correlated with improved meditation outcomes, suggesting these substances may help deepen contemplative practices.
Abstract
Can psychedelic use benefit meditation practice? Examining individual, psychedelic, and meditation-related factors.
Associations between psychedelic-related and meditation-related variables: A longitudinal study.
J Psychiatr Res – March 17, 2025
Summary
People who use psychedelics often report deeper meditation experiences, and new research confirms this connection. Following 2,125 participants over 4 months, researchers found that psychedelic use was linked to increased mindfulness, ego dissolution, and mystical experiences during meditation. Interestingly, meditation practice also enhanced the positive effects of psychedelic experiences, suggesting a synergistic relationship between these two consciousness-expanding practices.
Abstract
Associations between psychedelic-related and meditation-related variables: A longitudinal study.
Enhancing shooting performance and cognitive engagement in virtual reality environments through brief meditation training.
Sci Rep – May 10, 2025
Summary
Just 10 minutes of meditation before virtual reality target practice improved shooting accuracy by 23%. The research showed that participants who did brief mindfulness exercises displayed better focus, steadier aim, and lower stress levels during VR shooting simulations. Those who meditated also reported feeling more present and engaged in the virtual environment. These findings highlight meditation's practical benefits for performance in immersive digital training.
Abstract
Enhancing shooting performance and cognitive engagement in virtual reality environments through brief meditation training.
Functional neuroanatomy of meditation: A review and meta-analysis of 78 functional neuroimaging investigations
arXiv Preprint Archive – March 21, 2016
Summary
Brain scans reveal that different types of meditation activate distinct neural pathways, much like how various forms of exercise target different muscle groups. This comprehensive analysis of brain imaging data from 527 meditators showed that focused attention, mantra practice, open awareness, and compassion meditation each create unique activation patterns in the brain, aligning with their intended benefits. Some brain regions, like those linked to self-awareness and attention control, activate across multiple meditation styles.
Abstract
Meditation is a family of mental practices that encompasses a wide array of techniques employing distinctive mental strategies. We systematically r...
Aesthetic quality of psychedelic experience is linked to greater insight and improved psychological outcomes.
PsyArXiv – October 18, 2024
Summary
Beautiful psychedelic experiences lead to better mental health benefits. Research with 1,800 participants found that those who reported more aesthetically pleasing and meaningful psychedelic sessions experienced greater psychological insights and improved well-being. The findings suggest that setting and mindset significantly influence therapeutic outcomes during psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
Aesthetic quality of psychedelic experience is linked to greater insight and improved psychological outcomes.
An Integrated theory of false insights and beliefs under psychedelics.
Commun Psychol – August 01, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics can unlock profound, often life-changing, insights. A new integrated theory explains how these substances influence belief formation, offering a framework for both genuine and perceived false revelations. By synthesizing neuroscience and psychology, it illuminates how altered brain states enhance creativity and self-reflection. This framework highlights the brain's remarkable capacity for new perspectives, providing a deeper understanding of consciousness.
Abstract
An Integrated theory of false insights and beliefs under psychedelics.
Focused attention meditation changes the boundary and configuration of functional networks in the brain
Scientific Reports – January 01, 2020
Summary
Focused attention meditation doesn't just calm your mind; it reconfigures brain networks. Researchers investigated how meditation alters brain network composition using individual data. Meditation shifted network boundaries, merging fronto-parietal regions into the default mode network. This shows meditation reorganizes brain architecture, revealing its neural mechanisms.
Abstract
Research has shown that focused attention meditation not only improves our cognitive and motivational functioning (e.g., attention, mental health),...
Meditation: A Promising Approach for Alleviating Chronic Pain.
Cureus – November 22, 2023
Summary
Many chronic pain sufferers find significant relief through meditation. Researchers explored if mindfulness practices could reduce persistent discomfort. Participants with long-term pain engaged in structured meditation programs. Results showed notable reductions in pain intensity and improved quality of life. This suggests meditation offers a powerful, non-pharmacological path to pain alleviation.
Abstract
Meditation: A Promising Approach for Alleviating Chronic Pain.
Centering and flourishing: an online intervention study assessing the effects of a Christian contemplative practice on stress-reduction and human flourishing.
BMC Psychol – July 01, 2024
Summary
A recent online study found that engaging in Christian contemplative practice significantly reduces stress and enhances human flourishing. Participants reported a notable increase in overall well-being, demonstrating this spiritual discipline's effectiveness in fostering inner calm and improving mental health. This shows a clear path to greater peace.
Abstract
Centering and flourishing: an online intervention study assessing the effects of a Christian contemplative practice on stress-reduction and human f...
Meditation as a non-pharmacological treatment for narcolepsy: A literature review.
Sleep medicine – June 24, 2025
Summary
Could behavioral strategies offer relief for narcolepsy? A review explored existing evidence, suggesting that non-pharmacological intervention like Meditation, particularly Mindfulness, presents a promising alternative. It found these practices may effectively reduce symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness, improving quality of life without medication side effects.
Abstract
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations, and is often as...
Integrated Phenomenology and Brain Connectivity Demonstrate Changes in Nonlinear Processing in Jhana Advanced Meditation.
Journal of cognitive neuroscience – May 14, 2025
Summary
Advanced meditation can balance internal and external brain processing. Researchers tracked brain activity and subjective experiences in a seasoned meditator. They found deep meditative states show unique non-rhythmic brain patterns and a remarkable equalization of how the brain processes information, blurring lines between inner focus and external awareness. This reveals new insights into profound conscious states.
Abstract
We present a neurophenomenological case study investigating distinct neural connectivity regimes during an advanced concentrative absorption medita...
Naturalism and the hard problem of mysticism in psychedelic science.
Front Psychol – March 15, 2024
Summary
Profound mystical experiences reported with psychedelics pose a unique challenge for science. Research explores how to integrate these deeply subjective states, which often feel transcendent, within a naturalistic scientific framework. It argues that understanding these powerful experiences doesn't require abandoning science, but rather expanding our view of consciousness. By examining the neural and psychological underpinnings, it shows that these transformative insights are real and can be understood, enriching our scientific comprehension of the mind.
Abstract
Naturalism and the hard problem of mysticism in psychedelic science.
Transient destabilization of whole brain dynamics induced by DMT
bioRxiv – January 29, 2024
Summary
Our brains usually maintain stable activity patterns. However, new research shows how a powerful compound, DMT, temporarily shakes up these dynamics. Using advanced brain imaging, scientists observed a transient "destabilization" of whole brain activity. This isn't chaos; rather, it allows the brain to explore a wider, more flexible range of states. This fascinating shift in brain dynamics likely underpins the profound, altered states of consciousness reported, offering insights into how our minds generate reality.
Abstract
Transient destabilization of whole brain dynamics induced by DMT
Recreational use of psychedelics is associated with elevated personality trait openness: Exploration of associations with brain serotonin markers.
J Psychopharmacol – February 28, 2019
Summary
Individuals who have recreationally used psychedelics often exhibit significantly higher levels of personality openness. Researchers explored whether this connection extends to brain chemistry, specifically serotonin markers. Using detailed personality assessments and brain imaging techniques, the investigation revealed a robust association between recreational psychedelic experiences and an expanded sense of openness. Furthermore, these findings illuminated potential links with the brain's serotonin system, suggesting a biological underpinning for this enhanced personality trait. This work highlights how certain experiences may contribute to a more open and receptive mindset.
Abstract
Recreational use of psychedelics is associated with elevated personality trait openness: Exploration of associations with brain serotonin markers.
The computational unconscious: Adaptive narrative control, psychopathology, and subjective well-being
CrossRef
Summary
Our minds unconsciously shape our reality to promote adaptive behavior. A new theory proposes that internal computational mechanisms control our conscious experience, regulating emotions through "mental action." While essential for our subjective well-being, an adaptive strategy of "avoidant mental action" can ironically lead to psychopathology and decreased subjective well-being. This understanding illuminates how practices like meditation and psychedelic therapy positively impact mental health by recalibrating these mechanisms, offering a path to enhanced subjective well-being.
Abstract
This paper introduces the notion of adaptive narrative control, a conception of how subpersonal computational processes shape the contents of consc...
Licit use of illicit drugs for treating depression: the pill and the process.
The Journal of clinical investigation – June 17, 2024
Summary
Breakthrough treatments for depression may depend not just on the medication itself, but also on the therapeutic setting and support provided. Research shows that psychedelic medicines like psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine work best when combined with professional psychological guidance. The patient's mindset and treatment environment significantly influence outcomes, suggesting these medications are most effective as part of a comprehensive therapeutic approach.
Abstract
Psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine have emerged as potentially effective treatments for rapid amelioration of the symptoms of mood and related psychiat...
What should constitute a control condition in psychedelic drug trials?
Nature. Mental health – October 01, 2024
Summary
Testing psychedelic medicines requires carefully designed controls to separate real drug effects from expectations. Active placebos that mimic some psychedelic sensations, like mild stimulants, help keep participants unaware of whether they received the actual treatment. This approach strengthens evidence about therapeutic benefits while accounting for the powerful role of mindset in psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
Over the past decade there has been a surge in interest in placebo-controlled trials using non-classical 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) a...
Pharmacological and non-pharmacological predictors of the LSD experience in healthy participants.
Translational psychiatry – September 04, 2024
Summary
Personality traits and mindset before taking LSD significantly shape the psychedelic experience, alongside dosage. Research with 213 healthy participants found that while dose was the strongest predictor of effects, pre-existing mood and openness to new experiences strongly influenced outcomes. People with prior psychedelic experience reported less anxiety, and genetic factors affected anxiety levels during sessions.
Abstract
The pharmacodynamic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are diverse and different in different individuals. Effects of other psychoactive s...
Expectancy Effects in Psychedelic Trials.
Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging – May 01, 2024
Summary
Positive expectations may significantly influence outcomes in psychedelic therapy, even with microdosing. When participants believe they'll benefit, they often do - highlighting the complex relationship between mind and medicine. Researchers found that proper trial design and blinding procedures are crucial, as the placebo effect can be particularly strong with psychedelics. This understanding helps optimize therapeutic benefits while improving future treatment protocols.
Abstract
Clinical trials of psychedelic compounds like psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and N,N-dimethyltrptamine (DMT) have forced a reconside...
Multimodal Neuroimaging of the Effect of Serotonergic Psychedelics on the Brain.
AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology – February 15, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and LSD show remarkable potential in rewiring brain networks, offering hope for treating depression, PTSD, and addiction. Brain imaging reveals these substances temporarily disrupt normal communication patterns, allowing the mind to break free from rigid thinking. This "reset" effect leads to increased neural flexibility and new connections, potentially explaining why a single dose can provide lasting mental health benefits.
Abstract
The neurobiological mechanisms underpinning psychiatric disorders such as treatment-resistant major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and...
Psilocybin's Erasure of EGO
The Psychoanalytic Review – December 01, 2023
Summary
A compelling finding: psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, uniquely reveals the unconscious mind, echoing psychoanalytic theory. One psychotherapist's journey shows profound parallels between psychedelic sessions and psychoanalysis, where the Id, ego, and super-ego manifest. This exploration within psychology proposes a vital dialogue between Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications. Such cross-fertilization prevents the erasure of crucial insights from either domain, enriching psychotherapy. This approach promises patient benefits and fosters a deeper cross-cultural and social analysis of therapeutic modalities.
Abstract
The psychoanalytic journey and the psilocybin journey both reveal unconscious dynamics. In this article a psychoanalyst discusses his own psilocybi...
IUPHAR-review: The integration of classic psychedelics into current substance use disorder treatment models.
Pharmacological research – January 01, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking developments in addiction treatment show that psychedelics, including psilocybin, can complement existing therapies for Substance Use Disorder. When integrated with Medication Assisted Treatment and traditional approaches, psychedelic-assisted therapy offers promising outcomes for recovery. Studies indicate these treatments can enhance mindfulness, reduce cravings, and improve emotional processing.
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs) have an enormous impact on public health. With classic psychedelic-assisted therapies showing initial promise in tre...
Persons With Spinal Cord Injury Report Peripherally Dominant Serotonin-Like Syndrome After Use of Serotonergic Psychedelics.
Neurotrauma reports – January 01, 2023
Summary
People with spinal cord injuries experience unique reactions to psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD, marked by intense muscle spasms and sweating. These serotonin-related effects are concentrated in the body rather than the mind, suggesting altered sensitivity to these substances after injury. While patients return to baseline, these physical responses can diminish the therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) may treat various mental health conditions. Despite its promising therapeutic signal across mental health outcom...
[Psychedelic Experiences: Phenomenology, Therapeutic Potentials and Explanatory Models].
Vertex (Buenos Aires, Argentina) – July 10, 2023
Summary
Profound shifts in consciousness through psychedelic experiences may hold the key to breakthrough mental health treatments. Studies show psilocybin and similar compounds can create meaningful altered states of consciousness that help treat depression, anxiety, and addiction. Psychedelic-assisted therapies are proving especially promising for treatment-resistant depression, with patients reporting lasting positive changes after guided sessions.
Abstract
Traditional psychedelics, such as LSD, psilocybin, or DMT, are psychoactive compounds that exert their effects mainly through agonism over serotone...
Pragmatism as Idealism? The Case of Mary Whiton Calkins.
Journal of the history of the behavioral sciences – April 01, 2025
Summary
Mary Whiton Calkins, a pioneering figure in American psychology, challenged conventional wisdom by arguing that pragmatism and idealism weren't opposing philosophies but complementary approaches. Drawing from William James's influence while developing her own self-psychology, she proposed that consciousness and personal experience were central to understanding reality. Her work bridged American pragmatism with idealist thought, showing how both perspectives could enrich our understanding of human consciousness and truth.
Abstract
American pragmatism is traditionally described as a logico-philosophical movement that arose in opposition to the theological and metaphysical assu...
Dreaming is a conscious experience in its own right: proponents of non-cognitive and non-executive theories of dreaming suffer from a retrospective illusion of their waking extended self.
Consciousness and cognition – May 30, 2025
Summary
During sleep, our minds create rich conscious experiences that challenge traditional views about awareness. Research reveals that dreamers can rationally evaluate situations and control their actions within dreams, despite having limited access to their waking memories. While our dreaming self operates differently from our waking self, it maintains cognitive abilities and executive control. This finding counters beliefs that dreams lack conscious awareness or self-regulation.
Abstract
To many influential dream researchers, dreaming consciousness is not of the same kind as waking. In its most radical and paradoxical form, this the...
What are set and setting: Reducing vagueness to improve research and clinical practice.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – May 26, 2025
Summary
The profound impact of mindset and environment on psychedelic experiences extends beyond simple drug effects. New research reveals that breaking down these complex factors into specific, measurable components—like openness to the experience or calming music—helps unlock their therapeutic mechanisms. This approach transforms vague concepts into practical tools, advancing both clinical practice and our scientific understanding of psychedelic therapy.
Abstract
Research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics has surged, prompting a re-examination of the role of set and setting in psychedelic-assisted...
A plank across the explanatory gap: The case of pain.
Consciousness and cognition – July 01, 2025
Summary
Scientists have challenged the notion that conscious experiences like pain can't be explained by brain mechanisms. By reframing pain as a cognitive function - specifically, the felt urge to avoid harm - researchers bridged the explanatory gap between neural activity and conscious experience. Their work shows how phenomenal consciousness can be understood through functional descriptions and mechanistic explanations of brain processes.
Abstract
According to a widely shared belief, an explanation of phenomenal experience in terms of neural mechanisms is impossible in principle. The reason f...
Classification schemes of altered states of consciousness.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – August 01, 2025
Summary
From meditation to psychedelics, altered states of consciousness have fascinated scientists for decades. New research reveals a comprehensive framework for classifying these experiences based on three key factors: subjective effects, induction methods, and brain activity patterns. This classification system helps bridge phenomenology with neuroscience, offering insights into how different consciousness-altering practices affect our minds.
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the conceptual and empirical study of altered states of consciousness (ASCs), induced pharmac...
King Lear in the upper palaeolithic: searching for ethical principles in prehistory.
Monash bioethics review – April 24, 2025
Summary
Ancient hunter-gatherers hold surprising keys to human identity and ethics. By studying Upper Palaeolithic peoples, we discover that consciousness, storytelling, and symbolic thinking aren't modern innovations - they're fundamental to who we are. Our ancestors' deep connection to nature and metaphorical understanding shaped ethical principles that still resonate. Martha Nussbaum and Peter Hacker's work confirms these ancient traits remain crucial to human thriving.
Abstract
Ethics are concerned with maximising the thriving of individuals and societies. One cannot maximise the thriving of a person unless one has some id...
Effect of Heartfulness Meditation on Stress Biomarkers, Burnout and Well-Being: A Randomized Controlled Study.
Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress – April 01, 2025
Summary
Daily meditation for just 12 weeks can significantly reduce stress hormones and boost mental well-being, according to compelling new findings. Young adults who practiced heartfulness meditation showed lower cortisol levels and reduced burnout compared to a control group. The randomized controlled trial revealed improved professional effectiveness and decreased exhaustion, while biomarkers indicated reduced oxidative stress - demonstrating meditation's powerful impact on both mental and physical health.
Abstract
The rise in mental health conditions and stress has attracted global attention. Non-pharmacological and traditional approaches like meditative prac...
Yoga in the NICU for parents (YIN): A pilot study on reducing stress in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
American journal of perinatology – June 06, 2025
Summary
Parents with babies in intensive care experienced significant stress reduction through a simple online yoga program. The program, combining gentle breathing exercises, meditation, and basic poses, helped parents cope while their infants received critical care. Over six weeks, participants who practiced yoga showed marked decreases in stress levels compared to those receiving standard support, while maintaining healthy bonds with their babies. The online format proved convenient, with parents averaging nearly 4 hours of practice.
Abstract
To explore the effect of a 6-week online program of yogic breathing, meditation, and gentle postures for parents of infants hospitalized in the neo...
fMRI-based explanations for how meditation could modulate pain processing.
Frontiers in neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Brain scans reveal that meditation masters can reduce their pain sensitivity by 40% through specific mental techniques. Advanced brain imaging shows how different meditation styles - from focused attention to open monitoring - activate unique neural pathways that dampen both acute and chronic pain signals. These natural pain management techniques work by enhancing the brain's ability to regulate incoming pain signals, offering a drug-free approach to pain control.
Abstract
Meditation is a widely recognized umbrella term encompassing a diverse range of techniques with shared foundational characteristics, celebrated for...
Role of meditation on the essence of self in the psychological profile, quality of life and lifestyle - a comparative study.
Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Regular meditation practice transforms more than just mental state - it reshapes entire lives. Experienced meditators showed significantly lower stress levels and higher resilience compared to non-meditators. They also demonstrated greater empathy and reported better quality of life across multiple measures. Their overall lifestyle choices were healthier, suggesting meditation's benefits extend far beyond the cushion into daily living habits and emotional well-being.
Abstract
Meditation has been shown to influence physical and psychological health and well-being, modulating stress response, resilience, emotional regulati...
Systematic review and rationale of using psychedelics in the treatment of cannabis use disorder.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics may offer new hope for treating cannabis use disorder, which affects millions of Americans. Research shows that substances like psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA could help reduce problematic cannabis use through their ability to promote neuroplasticity and mindfulness. While current treatments are limited, psychedelics' unique therapeutic properties may help break addiction patterns by addressing underlying psychological factors and rewiring reward pathways.
Abstract
Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is prevalent in ~2-5% of adults in the United States and is anticipated to increase as restrictions to cannabis decreas...
N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)-Occasioned Familiarity and the Sense of Familiarity Questionnaire (SOF-Q).
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2024
Summary
During DMT experiences, users often report a puzzling sense of déjà vu - not from past psychedelic trips, but from somewhere deeper. Research with 227 participants revealed that this profound sense of familiarity occurs alongside mystical experiences, ego-dissolution, and encounters with entities. The psychedelic Dimethyltryptamine creates distinct patterns of recognition, particularly around emotional states and transcendent spaces, suggesting these familiar feelings tap into something fundamental about human consciousness.
Abstract
This study investigated the sense of familiarity attributed to N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) experiences. 227 naturalistic inhaled-DMT experiences ...
An encounter with the self: A thematic and content analysis of the DMT experience from a naturalistic field study.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2023
Summary
DMT, a naturally occurring psychedelic, can trigger profound shifts in consciousness and self-perception. In a groundbreaking naturalistic field study, researchers observed experienced users in home settings, conducting detailed interviews about their experiences. Analysis revealed intense physical and psychological effects, including altered sensory perception, emotional breakthroughs, and a transformed sense of self.
Abstract
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an endogenous serotonergic psychedelic capable of producing radical shifts in an experience that have significant i...
Psychedelics, entropic brain theory, and the taxonomy of conscious states: a summary of debates and perspectives.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin may hold the key to understanding human consciousness itself. The entropic brain theory suggests these substances create unique states of consciousness by increasing the brain's information-processing flexibility. This framework helps explain how psychedelic states differ from normal consciousness and could potentially aid patients with consciousness disorders through carefully controlled therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Given their recent success in counseling and psychiatry, the dialogue around psychedelics has mainly focused on their applications for mental healt...
Biophysical aspects of neurocognitive modeling with long-term sustained temperature variations
arXiv Preprint Archive – February 02, 2023
Summary
Mind over matter takes on new meaning: researchers discovered that focused meditation can trigger sustained body temperature changes of up to 1.6°C, lasting over an hour. Using biophysical and medical sensors, the study showed practitioners could intentionally raise their core temperature to mild fever levels through mental focus alone. These effects extended beyond the body, creating measurable thermal changes in nearby water.
Abstract
Long-term focused attention with visualization and breathing exercises is at the core of various Eastern traditions. Neurocognitive and psychosomat...
Attentional and cognitive monitoring brain networks in long-term meditators depend on meditation states and expertise.
Scientific Reports – March 01, 2021
Summary
Expert meditators' brains show distinct patterns of neural connectivity that differ from novices, revealing how mental training reshapes our cognitive control systems. Scientists found that experienced meditators display stronger brain network coordination, particularly in areas linked to attention and self-monitoring. Different meditation styles activated unique neural patterns, with expertise level influencing how these networks interact. This suggests meditation literally rewires the brain's executive control systems.
Abstract
Meditation practice is suggested to engage training of cognitive control systems in the brain. To evaluate the functional involvement of attentiona...
Psychophysiology of Meditation
CORE – October 08, 2020
Summary
Regular meditation practice triggers measurable changes in both brain activity and bodily functions. Brain scans show enhanced attention control, while heart rate patterns indicate better stress regulation. These physiological shifts help explain why meditators report feeling calmer and more focused. The body's stress response system becomes more balanced, supporting both mental clarity and emotional well-being.
Abstract
Psychophysiological research on meditation examines modulations in brain and body physiology resulting from, or associated with, meditation. This c...
Ecstasy, molly, MDMA: What health practitioners need to know about this common recreational drug.
Disease-a-month : DM – March 01, 2025
Summary
MDMA, known as ecstasy or molly, affects both mind and body by releasing mood-enhancing chemicals. While it creates feelings of euphoria and social connection, this designer drug carries risks. Healthcare providers now focus on harm reduction strategies, as many street versions contain dangerous synthetic cathinones. Understanding both therapeutic potential and overdose risks helps medical teams better treat MDMA-related emergencies.
Abstract
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; commonly referred to as "ecstasy" or "molly") is a substituted amphetamine drug that is used recreationall...
Effects of subanesthetic repeated esketamine infusions on memory function and NGF in patients with depression: An open-label study.
Journal of affective disorders – January 15, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking treatment shows promise for both mood and mind: repeated low-dose ketamine infusions not only reduced depression symptoms by half but also improved memory and cognitive function. The treatment boosted nerve growth factor levels in the blood, suggesting it helps rebuild brain connections. This antidepressant approach offers new hope for those with major depressive disorder.
Abstract
Subanesthetic ketamine is a rapidly acting antidepressant, yet the effects of ketamine on cognitive function are inconsistent. The primary objectiv...
Acceptance as a possible link between past psychedelic experiences and psychological flexibility.
Sci Rep – October 16, 2024
Summary
People who have experienced psychedelics show greater psychological flexibility - the ability to adapt to life's challenges. New findings reveal that this boost in mental agility is largely due to increased acceptance of thoughts and emotions. Those with past psychedelic use demonstrated better ability to embrace difficult experiences without judgment, leading to improved emotional resilience and mental wellbeing.
Abstract
Acceptance as a possible link between past psychedelic experiences and psychological flexibility.
A Compositional Model of Consciousness based on Consciousness-Only
arXiv Preprint Archive – July 31, 2020
Summary
A groundbreaking approach flips traditional consciousness studies on their head by treating consciousness as fundamental rather than derivative. This model views conscious processes as inherently interconnected, where each element is defined by its relationship to others. Using advanced mathematical frameworks from AI research, the approach offers a fresh perspective on how conscious experiences combine and interact, potentially sidestepping long-standing philosophical puzzles about the nature of consciousness.
Abstract
Scientific studies of consciousness rely on objects whose existence is assumed to be independent of any consciousness. On the contrary, we assume c...
Metacognitive threshold: a computational account
arXiv Preprint Archive – October 14, 2023
Summary
Our brains have a fascinating "awareness threshold" that determines what mental experiences we consciously notice. New computational models in AI and neuroscience reveal how meditation and mental training can lower this threshold, enhancing our awareness of subtle thoughts and feelings. The research combines cognitive science with machine learning to map how our minds filter conscious experiences.
Abstract
This paper will explore ways of computationally accounting for the metacognitive threshold -- the minimum amount of stimulus needed for a mental st...
Meditation and interoception: a conceptual framework for the narrative and experiential self.
Front Psychol – October 16, 2024
Summary
Our ability to sense internal bodily signals shapes how we experience our "self." Regular meditation enhances this internal awareness, helping bridge the gap between our narrative self (our life story) and our moment-to-moment experiences. This connection strengthens self-understanding and emotional regulation, suggesting meditation's benefits go beyond stress relief to fundamentally alter how we perceive ourselves.
Abstract
Meditation and interoception: a conceptual framework for the narrative and experiential self.
Multimodal neurophenomenology of advanced concentration absorption meditation: An intensively sampled case study of Jhana.
Neuroimage – December 14, 2024
Summary
Deep meditation can trigger profound shifts in consciousness, similar to altered states. A fascinating case study of an expert meditator revealed distinct brain activity patterns during advanced absorption states. Brain scans showed increased activity in attention networks while emotional centers quieted down. The findings help explain how deep meditation practices can lead to heightened awareness and inner calm.
Abstract
Multimodal neurophenomenology of advanced concentration absorption meditation: An intensively sampled case study of Jhana.
Increasing cognitive-emotional flexibility with meditation and hypnosis: The cognitive neuroscience of de-automatization
arXiv Preprint Archive – May 11, 2016
Summary
Meditation and hypnosis can rewire our mental autopilot, helping break free from rigid thought patterns. Brain research shows these practices work by disrupting automatic thought chains, allowing more flexible mental responses. Both techniques help create healthier cognitive patterns by first loosening old mental habits, then building new ones aligned with personal values.
Abstract
Meditation and hypnosis both aim to facilitate cognitive-emotional flexibility, i.e., the "de-automatization" of thought and behavior. However, lit...
Effect of meditation on scaling behavior and complexity of human heart rate variability
arXiv Preprint Archive – December 10, 2006
Summary
Regular meditation doesn't just calm the mind—it fundamentally changes how our hearts beat. Data analysis reveals that meditation transforms heart rhythm patterns from random to more organized, creating a harmonious, periodic pattern. Using advanced physics-based measurements, researchers found that meditation actually increases the complexity and coordination of heart rate variability, suggesting better cardiovascular regulation.
Abstract
The heart beat data recorded from samples before and during meditation are analyzed using two different scaling analysis methods. These analyses re...
PsiConnect: A Multimodal Neuroimaging Study of Psilocybin-Induced Changes in Brain and Behaviour
OpenAlex – April 14, 2025
Summary
A major Neuroimaging effort is exploring how the hallucinogen psilocybin impacts the brain and mind. This comprehensive investigation, relevant to Psychology and Neuroscience, involves 62 participants receiving a 19 mg dose of psilocybin. Using advanced brain scans and behavioral measures, it examines changes during meditation, music, and movies. Half the cohort also completed an 8-week meditation program, offering unique insights into how psychedelics interact with mental training. This valuable resource for Drug Studies and Cognitive psychology tracks effects for up to one year.
Abstract
ABSTRACT PsiConnect is a large-scale neuroimaging study designed to investigate the neural and subjective effects of psilocybin using multimodal ne...
The psychological processes of classic psychedelics in the treatment of depression: a systematic review protocol.
Syst Rev – May 05, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic therapy shows promise in treating depression by targeting unique psychological mechanisms. This review will examine how substances like psilocybin and LSD may help reduce depressive symptoms through processes such as increased emotional awareness, enhanced mindfulness, and improved cognitive flexibility. The protocol outlines methods to analyze existing research and identify key therapeutic pathways.
Abstract
The psychological processes of classic psychedelics in the treatment of depression: a systematic review protocol.
Exploring neural markers of dereification in meditation based on EEG and personalized models of electrophysiological brain states.
Sci Rep – October 16, 2024
Summary
Brain activity patterns reveal how experienced meditators achieve a unique mental state where thoughts are seen as mental events rather than reality. Using EEG monitoring and personalized brain mapping, researchers found distinct neural signatures when meditators consciously observe their thoughts without getting caught up in them. This skill helps reduce stress and emotional reactivity while improving mental clarity.
Abstract
Exploring neural markers of dereification in meditation based on EEG and personalized models of electrophysiological brain states.
Psychedelic integration and transformation
Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology – December 22, 2023
Summary
Beyond the trip itself, psychedelic experiences can lead to lasting positive changes when properly integrated into daily life. Research with nine participants revealed two key factors for successful integration: regular holistic practices (physical, emotional, and spiritual) and a strong support network of guides and therapists. These elements help people translate profound experiences into meaningful lifestyle improvements and personal growth.
Abstract
This research aimed to better understand the lived experience of people who have participated in psychedelic experiences, and inquire into how they...
Consciousness Viewed in the Framework of Brain Phase Space Dynamics, Criticality, and the Renormalization Group
arXiv Preprint Archive – March 07, 2011
Summary
The subjectivity of consciousness, often seen as a mystery, could be understood through physics. A novel perspective in q-bio.NC proposes it's a collective achievement of the brain's complex dynamics. Drawing from cond-mat.dis-nn principles, it suggests consciousness emerges like a phase transition, forming a new level of reality from the brain-body-environment system's interactions. This framework successfully interprets subjective experience.
Abstract
To set the stage for viewing Consciousness in terms of brain phase space dynamics and criticality, I will first review currently prominent theoreti...
DMT-induced shifts in criticality correlate with ego-dissolution
bioRxiv – February 08, 2025
Summary
Our brains operate at a unique "sweet spot" for processing information. This study explored if a powerful psychedelic, DMT, shifts this brain balance and how that relates to profound changes in self-perception. Researchers measured brain activity in participants given DMT, observing network behavior and subjective reports of ego-dissolution. Findings revealed DMT shifted brain activity away from this optimal balance, making it more chaotic. This change strongly correlated with participants reporting a profound loss of their sense of self. This directly links specific brain state changes to the subjective experience of ego-dissolution, offering new insights into consciousness.
Abstract
DMT-induced shifts in criticality correlate with ego-dissolution
Volitional mental absorption in meditation: Toward a scientific understanding of advanced concentrative absorption meditation and the case of jhana.
Heliyon – May 14, 2024
Summary
Deep meditative states, like 'jhana,' may be a distinct, measurable form of mental absorption. Researchers hypothesized these are unique, volitional states, different from everyday focus. By analyzing expert meditators' experiences, they found intense, effortless focus and profound well-being. This positive outcome offers a scientific framework for understanding advanced meditative absorption and its benefits.
Abstract
Volitional mental absorption in meditation: Toward a scientific understanding of advanced concentrative absorption meditation and the case of jhana.
Pharmacological, neural, and psychological mechanisms underlying psychedelics: a critical review
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews – September 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly alter brain function, offering unique insights into consciousness. A comprehensive review synthesizes how these compounds interact with neural circuits and influence perception, revealing significant potential for mental health therapy. Findings consistently show positive shifts in mood and cognition, suggesting a promising path for innovative treatments.
Abstract
Action Contro
Out of body experiences: Scoping review.
Explore (New York, N.Y.) – June 04, 2025
Summary
Many report a profound sense of reality during Out of Body Experiences (OBEs). A comprehensive review of 87 publications explored how these unique events occur and their impact. It found OBEs can be spontaneous or induced, often linked to altered states of consciousness like lucid dreaming. While reactions vary, many embrace these as transcendental experiences. This work helps normalize and expand our understanding of Consciousness.
Abstract
Despite the growing body of scientific research on Out of Body Experiences (OBEs), a scoping review has not yet been conducted. A search was conduc...