Neurophenomenology of an Altered State of Consciousness: An fMRI Case Study.

A single participant who reported ecstatic Kundalini meditative experiences showed brain activation in the left prefrontal cortex, primarily in Brodmann areas 46 and 10 and extending into areas 11, 47, and 45, during functional magnetic resonance imaging. The Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory indicated an altered state of consciousness, and the Physio-Kundalini Syndrome Index strongly suggested the experience was Kundalini. The feelings of joy and happiness and the left prefrontal activation align with prior meditation studies. This case demonstrates that combining first-person subjective reports with neuroimaging can identify objective brain regions linked to such experiences, though larger group studies are needed to confirm the results.

Study at a glance

Abstract

A research participant came to our lab with self-proclaimed, ecstatic, Kundalini meditative experiences. Using neurophenomenology and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we were able to identify brain activation in the left prefrontal cortex [primarily in left Brodmann׳s areas (BAs) 46 and 10, but also extending into BAs 11, 47, and 45] associated with this experience. The Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory provided evidence that this was a perceived altered state of consciousness. Additionally, the Physio-Kundalini Syndrome Index strongly suggested that what he was experiencing was indeed Kundalini. The feelings of joy, happiness and the left prefrontal brain region found in this study are consistent with many published neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies of meditation. This case study suggests that using first-person subjective experience within a phenomenological reduction process can be combined with neuroimaging to divulge objective brain regions associated with such experiences. Furthermore, this provides evidence that at least in this participant, the Kundalini experience is associated with brain activation in the left prefrontal cortex. Future research is needed to confirm these results in a large group study, perhaps contrasting brain activation of those who experience spontaneously emerging Kundalini with trained Kundalini practitioners.