507 results for "Meditation"
Combining Behavioral Economics-Based Incentives With the Anchoring Strategy: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.
JMIR research protocols – April 28, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Chronic (ie, long-term) elevated stress is associated with a number of mental and physical health conditions. Mindfulness meditation mobile apps ar...
Validation of the Spanish Version of the Lucidity and Consciousness in Dreams Scale.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2021
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Lucid dreaming, a specific phenomenon of dream consciousness, refers to the experience being aware that one is dreaming. The primary aim of this re...
Robot-Assisted Mindfulness Practice: Analysis of Neurophysiological Responses and Affective State Change
arXiv Preprint Archive – August 12, 2020
Summary
A social robot successfully guided participants into more positive emotional states through mindfulness exercises, showing how human-computer interaction (cs.HC) can enhance mental wellness. The research paired robotics (cs.RO) with brain monitoring to track participants' mental states during robot-led meditation sessions. Results showed unique brain activity patterns in the meditation group, particularly increased sensory awareness. Most notably, all participants reported better moods after interacting with the robot, regardless of activity type, highlighting the potential for robotic systems in mental health support.
Abstract
Mindfulness is the state of paying attention to the present moment on purpose and meditation is the technique to obtain this state. This study aims...
Death recollection moderates stress-influenced depression in Thai boarding school students.
BMC psychology – July 29, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Death recollection is a form of mindfulness meditation that orients a practitioner's calm attention toward an awareness of death. This meditation i...
EEG Signatures and Effects of Mindfulness Approaches in Adolescents With Nonsuicidal Self-Injury.
Psychophysiology – June 01, 2025
Summary
Brain scans reveal that mindfulness meditation can help restore healthy brain activity patterns in adolescents struggling with self-harm behaviors. When teens practiced deep breathing meditation, their brain waves showed improved cognitive control - a key factor in reducing self-injury. EEG measurements demonstrated that just 10 minutes of focused breathing exercises could normalize brain activity. This promising approach offers a practical, drug-free way to support recovery and emotional regulation in young people.
Abstract
Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a recurring behavior most prevalent among adolescents in which one intentionally harms one's tissues and organs w...
“Mind the Trap”: Mindfulness Practice Reduces Cognitive Rigidity
PLOS ONE – May 15, 2012
Summary
Our minds often get 'trapped' by familiar solutions, even when simpler, better options are available. Research indicates that mindfulness practice can reduce this cognitive rigidity. Using a water jar puzzle, participants who persistently chose complex methods over simpler alternatives were deemed more rigid. Experienced meditators showed significantly less rigidity. Crucially, even an 8-week mindfulness program helped individuals become more flexible in their thinking. This suggests mindfulness helps us overcome being 'blinded' by past experience, fostering new, adaptive ways to respond.
Abstract
Two experiments examined the relation between mindfulness practice and cognitive rigidity by using a variation of the Einstellung water jar task. P...
Daily mindfulness practice with and without slow breathing has opposing effects on plasma amyloid beta levels.
medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences – March 11, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Prior research suggests that meditation may slow brain aging and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, we lack research systematica...
Neurobehavioral and Molecular Pharmacology of Pharmahuasca ($\textit{N,N}$-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and Harmine) in Humans – A Combined Neuropharmacological and Brain Imaging Approach
CORE – June 04, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking approach combining two powerful compounds, DMT and harmine, has shown they can safely induce positive changes in human brain connectivity and perception. Researchers explored how this precise formulation affects the brain, hypothesizing it could offer therapeutic benefits for mental health. Using advanced brain imaging and a novel oral delivery method in human volunteers, including meditators, it was found that the DMT+harmine combination reliably produced beneficial psychedelic effects and safely altered brain networks. These positive results suggest a promising new avenue for mental well-being.
Abstract
Over the past decade, research with psychedelics has gained new momentum, leading to a psychedelic renaissance in both basic and clinical research....
A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews – January 01, 2015
Summary
Mindfulness meditation consistently boosts specific brain wave patterns, suggesting a unique state of relaxed alertness. A comprehensive review of brain activity during mindfulness found this practice is most often linked to increased alpha and theta waves. This indicates a beneficial mental state conducive to well-being, observed in both healthy individuals and those with psychiatric conditions.
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation has been purported as a beneficial practice for wellbeing. It would be expected that the neurophysiology of mindfulness woul...
Spiritually Based Interventions for High Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Journal of religion and health – October 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of spiritually based interventions on blood pressure (BP) among adults...
Psilocybin-assisted mindfulness training modulates self-consciousness and brain default mode network connectivity with lasting effects.
NeuroImage – August 01, 2019
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Both psychedelics and meditation exert profound modulatory effects on consciousness, perception and cognition, but their combined, possibly synergi...
Effect of Mind Sound Resonance Technique (MSRT) on Cognitive and Psychophysiological Functions in College Students: A Randomised Controlled Study.
Annals of neurosciences – February 28, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
College students face stressors like academic workload, competition, time management and financial concerns, which affect their psychological, phys...
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...
Introduction: Embodying a Liberated Mind at Death.
Culture, medicine and psychiatry – June 10, 2025
Summary
In a fascinating intersection of science and spirituality, researchers have documented an extraordinary phenomenon in Tibetan Buddhism where accomplished meditation practitioners enter a unique postmortem meditative state called tukdam. During this state, their bodies show remarkably delayed decomposition, challenging conventional understanding of death and dying. Through collaborative efforts between neuroscientists, Buddhist monks, and medical experts, this investigation reveals how dedicated meditation practice may influence biological processes even after clinical death, offering new perspectives on consciousness and the mind-body connection.
Abstract
The Tukdam Project directed by affective neuroscientist Richard Davidson at the University of Wisconsin-Madison since 2013 has investigated Buddhis...
Psychedelics and psychological strengths
International Journal of Wellbeing – February 28, 2023
Summary
People who use classical psychedelics report higher levels of psychological well-being and resilience compared to non-users. Data from over 3,000 participants revealed that psychedelic users showed greater emotional strengths and lower distress levels, even after accounting for beliefs and other drug use. Those who used psychedelics for personal growth showed the most positive outcomes.
Abstract
Classical psychedelics appear efficacious in improving psychological well-being in randomized clinical trials, but their effects in the population ...
Mindfulness-based Neurofeedback: A Systematic Review of EEG and fMRI studies.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology – September 15, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Neurofeedback concurrent with mindfulness meditation may reveal meditation effects on the brain and facilitate improved mental health outcomes. Her...
Tags
Mindfulness: Future Pathways and Cross-Fertilizations through Cultural Psychology.
Integrative psychological & behavioral science – December 21, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
This commentary outlines a novel agenda for future mindfulness research, building on various authors' insights, particularly Indius (Indius, S. (20...
Exploring Personal Development Workshops' Effect on Well-Being and Interconnectedness.
Journal of integrative and complementary medicine – January 01, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Introduction: Personal development workshops are increasingly popular. This study evaluated the relationships between the measures of well-being, i...
Effect of a Web-Based Heartfulness Program on the Mental Well-Being, Biomarkers, and Gene Expression Profile of Health Care Students: Randomized Controlled Trial.
JMIR bioinformatics and biotechnology – December 16, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Health care students often experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and mental health issues, making it crucial to address these challenges. Vari...
Zen Den: A Novel Approach to Promote Well-Being in the Workplace.
Journal of holistic nursing : official journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association – December 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Purpose: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, holistic nurses at an academic level 1 trauma center in Hawaii utilized a novel holistic approach to...
Self-administered complementary and alternative methods of treating mental disorders among students in Wrocław: a cross-sectional study.
Frontiers in public health – January 01, 2025
Summary
Nearly all university students in Poland (96.1%) use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for mental health, even as 74.7% with a disorder history experience depression. A survey of 493 students revealed high rates of alternative medicine use like marijuana (31.3%) and ashwagandha (24.8%). Cost (80.7%) and availability (35.7%) are major barriers to professional care. Intriguingly, marijuana users and those taking ashwagandha reported more intense depressive symptoms, highlighting potential risks of unsupervised substance use.
Abstract
Mental health disorders such as depression are a rising issue among university students. Some of them use complementary and alternative medicine (C...
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...
Mindfulness Components and Their Clinical Efficacy: A Critical Review of an Ongoing Debate.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) – January 13, 2026
Summary
For lasting mental health benefits from mindfulness, cognitive and emotional regulation skills like acceptance appear more crucial than meditation alone. Mindfulness programs demonstrate moderate clinical efficacy in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress. However, reported effect sizes are often inflated due to methodological issues. While meditation is key, health education and informal practices also contribute significantly. When assessing its overall impact, mindfulness shows comparable benefits to established treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, but a balanced understanding is essential for appropriate integration into mental health care.
Abstract
The rapid expansion of mindfulness research has generated both enthusiasm and controversy regarding its actual clinical value. While meditation is ...
Psilocybin: The most effective moral bio‐enhancer?
Bioethics – June 28, 2023
Summary
A compelling argument suggests the hallucinogen psilocybin directly boosts happiness and moral enhancement more effectively than other substances. Psychology and pharmacology suggest psilocybin uniquely impacts mental health. Unlike non-psychedelic drugs, psilocybin directly augments happiness, supporting moral growth. Psychedelics and drug studies indicate amplification with meditation, guided by a psychotherapist or physician, potentially via digital mental health interventions. Proper dosage is crucial.
Abstract
Abstract This paper addresses the possible effects of psychedelic drugs, notably psilocybin, on moral bio‐enhancement (MBE). It will be argued that...
Altered states of consciousness within therapeutic modalities - exploring commonalities of experience
Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology – December 20, 2022
Summary
During altered states of consciousness, brain rhythms slow from normal waking patterns to those seen in meditation and dreams. Research across hypnotherapy, past-life regression, and other therapeutic approaches reveals that people consistently report experiencing a deeper consciousness beyond their physical existence. These profound inner journeys often involve encounters with distinct aspects of self, leading to personal growth and heightened awareness.
Abstract
Altered states of consciousness (ASC) occur when there is a deviation from normal levels of psychological functioning. They can be self-induced thr...
No sustained attention differences in a longitudinal randomized trial comparing mindfulness based stress reduction versus active control.
PloS one – January 01, 2014
Summary
While mindfulness is widely embraced, its specific impact on sustained attention has been rigorously tested. A trial compared eight weeks of mindfulness training to an active wellness program, hypothesizing mindfulness would uniquely improve visual discrimination and sustained attention. Using a visual task with community participants, findings revealed no superior improvement in sustained attention for mindfulness. However, both programs positively contributed to visual discrimination. This indicates mindfulness, as taught, may not offer unique sustained attention benefits over general wellness, but still provides positive cognitive contributions.
Abstract
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a secular form of meditation training. The vast majority of the extant literature investigating the he...
Brain-MGF: Multimodal Graph Fusion Network for EEG-fMRI Brain Connectivity Analysis Under Psilocybin
arXiv (Cornell University) – November 23, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin profoundly reorganizes brain connectivity, a compelling finding in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. An Artificial intelligence framework, rooted in Computer science, employs an artificial neural network for graph fusion of functional magnetic resonance imaging data. This machine learning model, constructed to recognize patterns, achieved 74.0% accuracy distinguishing psilocybin's effects during meditation and 76.0% during rest. By adaptively encoding complex brain patterns at each brain node using a softmax mechanism, it offers interpretability into neural changes. Such insights could aid Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis, even illuminating profound subjective states.
Abstract
Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, reorganise large-scale brain connectivity, yet how these changes are reflected across electrophysiological (elect...
Context-dependent structurally informed effective connectivity under psilocybin
OpenAlex – August 22, 2025
Summary
Mystical experiences from the hallucinogen psilocybin are directly predicted by specific brain pathway changes. Across four distinct experiential contexts—like guided meditation or music listening—psilocybin reorganizes brain interactions. Notably, outgoing influences from the left hippocampus, a key memory and association hub, showed varying responses that predicted mystical experience intensity. Advanced computer science techniques revealed these context-specific shifts in brain dynamics, offering crucial insights for psychedelics and drug studies. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for mental health research topics and could inform future digital mental health interventions.
Abstract
Abstract The extent to which anatomical connectivity constrains pharmacologically altered brain dynamics remains poorly understood. Here, we combin...
Psychedelic Experiences and Mindfulness are Associated with Improved Wellbeing
OpenAlex – March 05, 2021
Summary
Personal mindfulness meditation practices and recreational psychedelic use are strongly linked to improved psychological wellbeing. A study of 1219 individuals engaging in both revealed that both mindfulness and mystical experiences substantially predict increased wellbeing. Importantly, psychedelics act as a key moderation factor, amplifying how mystical experiences contribute to wellbeing. This pioneering work in clinical and social psychology offers crucial insights into the naturalistic benefits of these practices, moving beyond traditional psychotherapist approaches and informing future drug studies and natural compound pharmacology.
Abstract
Both psychedelics and mindfulness are a recently emerging topic of interest in academia and popular culture alike. Personal meditation practices an...
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Potential Synergies
Mindfulness – September 01, 2023
Summary
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) shows strong potential to enhance psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. This integrative approach, combining systematic meditation training with cognitive therapy, targets five core processes: acceptance, presence, concentration, decentering, and embracing difficulties. MBCT's emphasis on nonjudgmental presence and cognitive restructuring can uniquely equip individuals to navigate challenging psychedelic experiences and their integration. This complementary psychological intervention may offer advantages over Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, supporting psychotherapists in optimizing outcomes in psychedelic drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Objectives The mindfulness-informed intervention that has so far received the most attention as an adjunct to psychedelic-assisted psychot...
EEG Gamma Coherence and Other Correlates of Subjective Reports During Ayahuasca Experiences
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – June 01, 2005
Summary
Increased global EEG coherence in the 36-44 Hz and 50-64 Hz frequency bands was observed during ayahuasca experiences, indicating intense synesthesia among two participants in a Brazilian jungle. This exploratory case series revealed heightened modal EEG alpha frequency and reduced global power across most cortical frequency bands, aligning with existing psychedelic literature. Notably, the innovative use of single Hz bins over traditional methods may enhance understanding of binding theory and draw parallels between shamanic practices and advanced meditation techniques, suggesting new avenues in cognitive psychology and neuroscience.
Abstract
The current study examined QEEG power and coherence of ayahuasca experiences with two experienced participants in a Brazilian jungle setting. An ex...
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF THE INFLUENCE OF SHAMANIC PRACTICES ON CREATIVITY: A MIXEDMETHODS STUDY
OpenAlex – December 15, 2024
Summary
Engaging in shamanic practices like Ayahuasca consumption and sound healing can significantly boost creativity. In a study with 47 participants, those who experienced guided meditation alongside these practices showed notable improvements in executive functions, including task initiation and planning skills. Additionally, 85% reported enhanced creative self-efficacy, reflecting a greater openness to new experiences and divergent thinking. These findings highlight the potential of integrating such practices into education and mental health strategies to foster creativity and cognitive growth.
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of shamanic practices, specifically Ayahuasca consumption and sound healing combined with guided meditation, on ...
Enhancing mindfulness and compassion through an ayahuasca-inspired formulation containing N,N-DMT and harmine: A randomized controlled trial in healthy subjects.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – June 19, 2025
Summary
A single dose of a specific compound can significantly enhance feelings of mindfulness and compassion. Researchers explored if an ayahuasca-inspired formulation, combining N,N-DMT and harmine, could acutely boost these traits in healthy individuals. Participants received the formulation, harmine-only, or placebo. Results showed a notable increase in mindfulness, self-compassion, and compassion towards others just one day after receiving the N,N-DMT and harmine combination. These findings suggest this formulation holds potential for acutely enhancing these beneficial qualities.
Abstract
Mindfulness and compassion are therapeutically relevant and can be increased through different forms of meditation practices. However, meditation p...
Why is mindfulness helpful? Exploration of the flexibility of cortical control in practitioners of Buddhism.
Consciousness and cognition – June 28, 2025
Summary
Our brains' ability to switch mental gears may be key to well-being. Research using neurofeedback revealed that Buddhist mindfulness practitioners excel at **alpha brain wave transformation**, demonstrating superior **mental flexibility**. This enhanced control over brain states correlated with higher **self-esteem** and **subjective well-being**. Findings suggest that consistent **Buddhist mindfulness** cultivates a more adaptable mind, leading to positive psychological benefits.
Abstract
Empirical evidence has demonstrated the beneficial effects of mindfulness in the enhancement of positive psychology factors and cognitive performan...
The Gateway Experience Facilitates Psychological Well-Being.
Integrative psychological & behavioral science – March 13, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of the Gateway Experience (GE) on psychological well-being. The GE has been developed several decades ago for t...
How compatible are Western psychology and yoga psychology? Epistemology, concepts and localization.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Mindfulness, meditation and yoga are very popular today. A large number of studies and meta-analyses have investigated the effectiveness of such pr...
Assessing willingness and preference for body scan practices in ADHD: a survey study.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies – March 29, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition, but current treatment options are limited. Although medic...
Effect of a mindfulness program on stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, social support, and life satisfaction: a quasi-experimental study in college students.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The university experience often brings various personal and academic challenges that can negatively impact students' mental health. This research a...
Development and Initial Validation of the State Four Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire.
Assessment – March 31, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The current research aimed to provide initial psychometric validation of a new multifaceted mindfulness questionnaire (referred to as the State Fou...
Psychedelic Art and Implications for Mental Health: Randomized Pilot Study.
JMIR formative research – December 03, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Psychedelic art (PA) emerged in the 1960s during the psychedelic era; then characterized by visuals induced by the ingestion of psychedelic drugs, ...
Nurturing compassion and cultural humility in health professions students through a brief mindfulness practice.
PEC innovation – December 15, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Given the importance of compassion and cultural humility in healthcare providers, the study aspired to investigate the effects of a brief mindfulne...
Global Effect on Cortical Activity in Young Indian Males in Response to "OM" Chanting: A High-Density Quantitative Electro-Encephalography Study.
Annals of neurosciences – July 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Meditation using the "OM" mantra is the most widely used practice in India. Though reports have been published about the relaxation effect during b...
Feasibility and effectiveness study of applying a hallucinogen harm reduction and integration model to a mindfulness thinking intervention using virtual reality: A randomized controlled trial.
Digital health – January 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a virtual reality (VR) program designed and developed based on the hallucinogenic harm reducti...
An energizing microintervention: How mindfulness fosters subjective vitality through regulatory processes and flow experience at work.
Journal of occupational health psychology – February 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Can adopting one's morning routines influence employees' experiences throughout the day? To answer this focal question, we examine the daily effect...
Clarifying and measuring the characteristics of experiences that involve a loss of self or a dissolution of its boundaries.
Consciousness and cognition – March 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Mystical experience, non-dual awareness, selflessness, self-transcendent experience, and ego-dissolution have become increasingly prominent constru...
The role of mindful acceptance and lucid dreaming in nightmare frequency and distress.
Scientific reports – September 21, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
A theoretical and empirical association between lucid dreaming and mindfulness, as well as lucid dreaming and nightmares has previously been observ...
Perinatal Understanding of Mindful Awareness for Sleep (PUMAS): A single-arm proof-of-concept clinical trial of a mindfulness-based intervention for DSM-5 insomnia disorder during pregnancy.
Sleep medicine – August 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective for prenatal insomnia, but unresolved cognitive arousal limits patient outcomes. Therapies aimed at reduc...
Moderating Impact of Dispositional Mindfulness in the Relationship Between Future Expectancies and Psychological Well-Being.
Psychological reports – June 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
ObjectivesMindfulness has been studied under cultivated or dispositional divisions where the latter has strong implications for psychological well-...
The role of non-ordinary states of consciousness occasioned by mind-body practices in mental health illness.
Journal of affective disorders – August 15, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Research with hallucinogens suggests that non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOSCs), particularly mystical-type experiences, predict improvement...
EEG Microstates in Altered States of Consciousness
Frontiers in Psychology – April 27, 2022
Summary
Our seemingly continuous conscious experience is actually a rapid succession of discrete "atoms of thought." Electroencephalography (EEG) in Neuroscience reveals these fundamental units, called microstates, as stable patterns of neural dynamics lasting merely 60-120 milliseconds. This insight from Cognitive psychology suggests consciousness isn't a fluid stream but a rapid succession of distinct mental states. Altered states of consciousness, including mind wandering and attention, significantly impact these functional brain connectivity patterns. Cognitive science uses this approach to explore the very nature of consciousness.
Abstract
Conscious experiences unify distinct phenomenological experiences that seem to be continuously evolving. Yet, empirical evidence shows that conscio...
Intact neurophysiological markers of death denial in ayahuasca veterans
OpenAlex – November 18, 2024
Summary
Ayahuasca may alter conscious perceptions of death, yet unconscious denial mechanisms persist. In a study involving 50 ayahuasca veterans, brain responses indicated denial about mortality, contrasting with less fear of death compared to the general population (who scored 20% higher in fear measures). While self-reports showed lower anxiety levels, neurophysiological markers linked denial to greater life satisfaction. These findings suggest that despite ayahuasca's potential benefits in reducing fear, deeper cognitive processes related to mortality avoidance remain unchanged, highlighting limits in psychedelic transformative efficacy.
Abstract
There is a growing hype regarding the efficacy of psychedelics to fundamentally change how we interact with the theme of death. The underlying evid...
Neural filters to conscious awareness and the phenomena that reduce their impact.
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
What if our everyday reality is just a sliver of what's possible? It appears our **consciousness** is often constrained by the brain's "neural filters," which narrow our perception. Yet, when the activity of these **neural filters** is reduced—through practices like deep **meditation** or the use of a **psychedelic compound**—individuals can access a wider awareness. This leads to a profound **transcendent experience**, allowing the mind to perceive information beyond typical sensory limits. Such states suggest a vast, untapped potential for human awareness.
Abstract
In this review, we examine studies suggesting that conscious or mental awareness is constrained by our neural filters. These filters include sensor...
Development of a digital intervention for psychedelic preparation (DIPP).
Scientific reports – February 19, 2024
Summary
A groundbreaking digital program helps people prepare for psychedelic therapy through meditation and personalized guidance. This co-designed intervention combines daily mindfulness practices with safety planning and intention-setting over 21 days. Developed with input from psilocybin retreat participants, the person-centered approach enhances preparedness and maximizes therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances induce profound alterations in consciousness. Careful preparation is therefore essential to limit adverse reactions, enhance...
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...
Esketamine combined with a mindfulness-based intervention for individuals with alcohol problems.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – June 01, 2024
Summary
Combining esketamine with mindfulness practices shows promising results for treating alcohol use disorder. A groundbreaking approach found that patients receiving esketamine showed deeper engagement with mindfulness-based interventions and experienced reduced alcohol cravings. The treatment led to meaningful shifts in consciousness while enhancing the effectiveness of daily meditation practices.
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major public health issue, posing harmful consequences for individuals and society. Recent advances in addiction re...
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...
Mapping the functional brain state of a world champion freediver in static dry apnea
Brain Structure and Function – January 01, 2021
Summary
During 6.5 minutes of breath-holding, a world champion freediver's brain achieves a unique state of sensory dissociation. Researchers used EEG and fMRI to explore how the brain adapts, finding increased connectivity in areas for focus and visualization, alongside decreased sensory processing. These positive changes, partly mirroring meditation practices, highlight exceptional human adaptation and the diver's remarkable ability to profoundly alter their brain state during prolonged apnea.
Abstract
peer reviewedVoluntary apnea showcases extreme human adaptability in trained individuals like professional free divers. We evaluated the psychologi...
Classical physics and human embodiment: The role of contemplative practice in integrating formal theory and personal experience in the undergraduate physics curriculum
arXiv Preprint Archive – April 16, 2018
Summary
Many physics students struggle to connect abstract theories with daily life. Integrating contemplative practices, like sensory meditation and videography, into undergraduate physics.ed-ph courses dramatically improves this. Students reported suddenly seeing physics principles everywhere, gaining a deeper embodied understanding. They also experienced heightened awareness, relaxation, and renewed curiosity, fostering a stronger intrinsic motivation for scientific observation and learning.
Abstract
One of the objectives of the undergraduate physics curriculum is for students to become aware of the connections between the fundamental principles...
Mindfulness-based interventions: what more can the West learn from Buddhism? A fieldwork study.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
While mindfulness is widely embraced in the Western world, its deepest roots in Buddhism offer even greater potential. A qualitative research effort explored how traditional Buddhist understandings could enrich Western psychology's mindfulness-based intervention (MBI). Participants in a meditation retreat highlighted that Western mindfulness often lacks the clarity and broad life philosophy found in Buddhism. Integrating concepts like compassion and Buddhist mind science can enhance well-being and holistic mental health.
Abstract
Mindfulness has been adopted from its origins in Buddhist philosophy and is now widely applied in Western psychology. Existing research suggests th...
Where is my mind? A neurocognitive investigation of mind blanking.
Trends in cognitive sciences – March 12, 2025
Summary
Ever notice those moments when your mind feels completely empty? Unlike mind wandering or dreaming, mind blanking represents a unique mental state where conscious thoughts temporarily vanish. Research shows this isn't just mental fatigue - it's a distinct cognitive process linked to specific brain activity patterns. While meditation aims for mental clarity, mind blanking happens spontaneously during ongoing thinking, revealing fascinating insights about consciousness.
Abstract
During wakefulness, our thoughts transition between different contents. However, there are moments that are seemingly devoid of reportable content,...