The Multifaceted Ganzfeld at the Crossroad Between Visual Perception and Consciousness: Behavioral, Neural and Qualitative Aspects.
Open mind : discoveries in cognitive science January 1, 2025 Eleftheria Pistolas, Boris Quétard, Sucharit Katyal et al.
A Ganzfeld, a homogeneous visual field without focal points, induces altered states of consciousness and immersive full-body experiences, including bodily effects. Using eye-tracking, EEG, interviews, and questionnaires, the study identified two cognitive processing types: a perceptually grounded type with inward- or outward-directed focus, and an abstract type with introspective focus and meditative experiences. Perceptual decays were accompanied by decreased eye movements and increased theta activity preceding them, suggesting a link to mind blanking. Decays also showed more alpha activity, associated with attenuated sensory processing and reduced external engagement. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the rich Ganzfeld experience.