Neuroscience of Meditation - Chapter 3

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Copyright 2010-2011 Eric Thompson. All Rights Reserved.

The Neuroscience of Meditation

An Introduction to the Scientific Study of How Meditation

Impacts the Brain

Eric Thompson

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iAwake Technologies, LLC

www.ProfoundMeditationProgram.com

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Other Publications, CDs, DVDs or Audio Programs by Eric Thompson or iAwakeTechnologies:

The Profound Meditation Program - w/ iNET Technology The Neurophenomenology of Spiritual Development - eBook Meditation and the Brain DVD - Coming soon! The NeuroCharger Attention & Mood Enhancer - Coming soon! The Profound Joy Meditation System - Coming soon!

BrainCatalyst - For Students - Coming soon! Centering Meditation - Coming soon!
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ContentsIntroduction

1. Contemplative Neuroscience, Neuroplasticity and the Transformative Power ofConsciousness

2. Brainwaves - What They Are3. Brainwave States in Science4. Brainwave States in Meditation5. Brainwave States in Traditional Buddhist and Hindu Teachings6. Attention-Gate Theory: How Awareness Changes the Brain7. Meta-Awareness: Deepening the Transformative Power of Attention8. Neurological Processes During Passive Meditation9. Meditation and the Tao of the Human Nervous System10.How The Brains of Advanced Meditators Differ from Non-Meditators - Part 111. How The Brains of Advanced Meditators Differ from Non-Meditators - Part 212. Scientific Studies on Tibetan Buddhist Loving Kindness Meditation

Meditation & Cortical Thickness


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CHAPTER 3Brainwave States in Science

Electroencephalography

In the last chapter we highlighted brainwave patterns as rhythmic electrical signals emitted bythe brain as neurons fire in on-and-off cycles. Science is able to record these signals usingelectroencephalography (EEG), discovered by Hans Berger in 1929. An EEG machine useselectrodes placed on the scalp to record the brains electrical activity. And with the help ofsophisticated computer analysis, the EEG can be used to translate these seemingly chaoticelectrical signals into more readily understandable patterns. Rather than detecting the patternsof individual neurons, however, the EEG reads the electrical fields emitted by large groups ofneurons.

The EEG records the waves of electromagnetic energy as they reach the surface of the scalp,

making it very accurate in terms of measuring brainwave activity in real time. However, becausethe EEG is more sensitive to the electromagnetic signals that are closer to the surface of the skull,it tends to be less accurate when attempting to determine what is happening in specific areas ofthe brain, especially areas deep within the brain (i.e., subcortical).

I realize that this may be more information than you care to know about brainwaves, but, as wefurther explore a scientific understanding of how brainwave patterns affect us, this informationcan help us see how the scientific community has come to its conclusions. It should also beunderstood that, although we will be exploring the states of consciousness associated withindividual brainwave patterns, all of the patterns are actually present in our brain activitythroughout the day. In other words, though some patterns may predominate in certain areas ofthe brain during specific activities, the truth is, the brain is producing a sophisticated blend of

brainwave patterns all day long.

Brainwave Patterns A Deeper Look

While the last chapter touched on the various states of consciousness and biological processescorrelated with the five brainwave patterns recognized by science, this chapter will more deeplydelve into the scientific study of brainwaves. As you read the descriptions and explorations ofeach pattern, try to recall specific instances when you were experiencing these patterns. Becomeas intimately acquainted as you possibly can with the interior experience of each pattern, as this


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will help you to more profoundlexperience of life, but also how ychange your life in positive ways

BETA: 13 40 Hz

The Beta brainwave pattern is ato high Beta. The lower end of thindicates a calm attention imbuealso within the bounds of the Seneurofeedback has been found tfeels exceptionally composed, sel

Mid Beta (16 22 Hz) is associahelps us attend to daily activitiesactivated when we our minds arus and without us. Although thisto increased anxiety and eventuapeople do, is to live unaware of tpattern can eventually give way t

When brainwave patterns beginanxiety and muscle tension, somassociated with peak performan

were expected to perform at a hibeen operating in a high Beta patraffic while driving!

According to Dr. Les Fehmi, toothe sympathetic nervous system,fight-or-flight response. Spendinit consumes the energy providedarousing heart and respiratory raddition, the accrued stress agit

Staying in this mode of attention

in which threatened animals prepresence of predators. This ineffireducing our capacity to respondFurthermore, a prolonged sustaiconscious covering up) or represdisturbing emotional material.

t 2010-2011 Eric Thompson. All Rights Reserved.

realize not only how these states can radicallyou can more consciously evoke and navigate th.

airly wide-ranging pattern that spans from lowe Beta spectrum (13 15 Hz or cycles per second with the beginning stages of involved interestsorimotor Rhythms, the training of which throsignificantly enhance the experience of flow st

f-assured and connected to the environment.

ed with externally focused attention. This is thwith clear focus. This is also the predominantbusy judging, critiquing and chattering about tcan be a very healthy pattern to cultivate, too mlly mental exhaustion. To live primarily in thise deeper potential that lies within. A perpetual

o increased stress and displeasure with life.

ranging between 23 to 40 Hz, there is often an ietimes even anger. This is high Beta, the pattere in athletics. If youve ever been in a situationh level but you felt unprepared, your brain matern. The same is true if you have ever cursed a

uch Beta activity indicates a narrow focus thathe branch of the autonomic nervous system ing extended periods of time in this pattern can bthrough the nervous system at a very high andtes beyond what is necessary for general dailytes the mind and emotions, giving rise to even

throughout the day for weeks on end is compa

ide as they remain in a constant state of alert a cient use of our attention weakens the central

to daily challenges from a state of deep resour ning of this state can indicate either the suppre

sion (i.e., the unconscious covering up) of trau

hift yourse states to

Beta to mid Betad) generally. This pattern is

ghtes, wherein one

pattern thatattern that ishe world withinuch of it can leadattern, as many

mid to high beta

ncrease inoftenherein you

very well havet oncoming

over-stimulatesvolved in thee costly, becausenefficient rate,ctivities. Inore stress.

able to the state

ttention in theervous system,efulness.sion (i.e., theatic or


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Specific Scientific Studies I

In 2005, Dr. Ruth Olmstscores in children with ABeta and Gamma range.

Madhavi Rangaswamy awere found to have greatand high) than non-alcohpossible sign of an imbalinhibition. Still others hathe result of an attempt t

In a study conducted bythe mid Beta range signif

variables.

ALPHA: 8 12 Hz

Though Alpha becomes activinvolved in meditation and doccipital lobe of the neocortethe skull, tends to emit Alph

According to Dr. Les Fehmi,the moment. As a leader in t

by imagining space, it is posscounteract the habitual narrcorrelation between time spestates, where anxiety evaporHardt, another pioneer in necreativity, forgiveness and Z

Alpha has also been theorizeminds. For example, if we exdeep Theta state of consciou

back into an outwardly focusBeta will often keep us fromTheta state. However, if weremember it, while also allomeans moving fluidly througunconscious material into ou

The Alpha frequency also ap


volving Beta Activity

ad found a significant improvement in WISC-IHD when stimulated with brainwave entrain

d colleagues conducted a study in 2005 in whicr activity in all three bands of the Beta bandwiolics. They interpreted this excessive Beta activnce between the brains regulatory systems fore taken this interpretation further to suggest tself-medicate ones own neurological imbalan

ichard Cauley Kennerly, brainwave entrainmeicantly increased memory in three out of four d

e at the onset of drowsiness just before bedtimeeper states of effortless attention. When the ey, which is located on the outer surface of the brband signals.

lpha activity is often associated with spontanee field of neurofeedback, Dr. Fehmi also discovible to produce phase synchronous Alpha and tw focus of excessive Beta activity. He found a pnt in phase synchronous Alpha and increases intes and movement becomes fluid and effortless

urofeedback, connects synchronous Alpha activn meditation.

to act as a bridge between the conscious and uerience a forgotten memory from early childh

ness, and if we then immediately open our eyesed state of busy activity, that immediate jump fonsciously recalling the memory that emergedake a mental note of the memory and consciouing ourselves to ease back into a waking Beta s

h Alpha), we will be better able to integrate ther conscious sense of self.

ears to be the resonant frequency at which ser

I arithmeticent in the high

h alcoholicsth (i.e., low, midity to be aexcitation andat alcoholism ises.

t stimulation inpendent

, it is also oftens are closed, thein at the back of

us surrender tored that, simplyereby

ositivepositive flow

. Dr. Jamesity with

nconsciousod while in aand go straightom Theta to

while in a deepsly intend toate (whichpreviously

tonin, the


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seem to support this notion, as ttraumatic experiences are both u

when such trauma is released, itecstasyis experienced.


Aftanas and GolocheikinSahaja meditation and symidline areas of the brai

In a study conducted bypost-traumatic stress disintensive Alpha-Theta bi

E. Basar and associates d(i.e., the rhythmic trainstasks) was located in theThese areas have also be

DELTA: 0.5 3.5 Hz

Delta waves are the low frequencThe high amplitude designatioof the sleep cycle plays such a crorgans on a daily basis. We are acognitive functioning, but, if pro

Think about it. Have you ever wrealize that you werent fully restlot of Theta activity, while our caamount of Delta sleep we experiessential for supplying the brain

Not surprisingly, these signals hchannel healing energy. Technolactivity with empathy and intuitineuro-electrical correlate of the

well discover in Chapter 5, in Bu

(sometimes referred to as the sleform, which we all share. In thisinvolved in empathy and intuitioappear to be sourced from a dee

we all arise and to which we all rDelta is also involved in extraord

witness dissolves, and there is nsubject-object duality collapses.


ere are numerous studies in the field of neurofncovered and integrated in deep Theta states.is often the Theta state in which a profound sen

volving Theta Activity

found a positive correlation between reportednchronized Theta train activity in the anterior f.ugene Peniston and Paul Kulkosky, veterans srder experienced a significant lessening of symfeedback treatement.

esigned and conducted a study in which mentaf Theta activity that arise while focusing on pr

iddle prefrontal and anterior cingulate areasn connected to the capacity for sustained atten

y, high amplitude signals emitted during deep,is an important one because it explains in par

cial part in our capacity to recharge the nervoull most likely aware that sleep deprivation can s

onged indefinitely, it can even cause death.

ken in the morning after a heavy night of dreaed? A likely reason for this is because dreamingpacity for awakening fully charged is largely dence. These high amplitude (i.e., high-powered)and body the energy it requires for full recover

ve also been recorded when healers and qi gongy-assisted meditation pioneer Anna Wise con

on. Her mentor, C. Maxwell Cade, saw the Deltuman unconscious, including the collective unddhist and Hindu wisdom traditions, the Delta

ep self) is associated with the subtlest aspect oflight, it makes perfect sense that Delta activityn, since the most highly developed forms of theer than average awareness of some unified fielturn.

inarily profound states of meditation, when thesense of self having any experience at all. This

edback in whicharadoxically,se of blisseven

bliss states inontal and

ffering fromptoms following

l Theta activityblem-solvingf the brain.ion.

dreamless sleep.why this stage

s system andverely impede

ing only tosleep carries aendent on theemissions areand healing.

mastersnects Delta

realm as theonscious. Asrange

our collectiveould be

se intelligenceswithin which

self-identifiedis where the


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Padmanabhan and associsubjects listened to a brai

In a study conducted byMeditation (TM) were fodeep dreamless sleep. Thconsciousness during apresent at all.

Gugino and team correlaneocortex with unconsci

GAMMA: 40 100 Hz

Have you ever been in an emergbecame almost super-human anable carry out such actions with

brainwave activity predominantl

Gamma activity is a very fast cycof information processing. Scien

with thalamo-cortical sweeps ofcompletely disappear after anestintimately involved in waking counable to fully explain how the bis known as the binding proble

brainwave pattern may possessdisparate sensory information to

Chapter 4 will further explore Gmeditation.


Haig and colleagues discinformation processing a

Hermann and Mecklingememory comparisons.

Stanley Krippner and hisactivity in the occipital lothe hallucinogenic ayahuThis brew contains dimetand tetrahydroharmine.


volving Delta Activity

ates found a significant decrease in pre-operatinwave entrainment stimulus in the Delta range

ason and colleagues, advanced practitioners o

nd exhibit simultaneous Alpha-Theta and Deltis activity was associated with a reported witntage of sleep in which there is usually no sense

ed increases of Delta patterns in the anterior ausness.

ncy situation where time seemed to slow down,you not only knew exactly what you needed toeep precision and ease? If so, you were most li

y in the Gamma range.

lic pattern believed to be involved in exceptionaific studies have correlated visual and auditory

Gamma-band activity. Gamma is also known tohesia is administered, which seems to indicate tnsciousness. This is a significant finding, becaurain is able join all of its sensory data into a uni. The collective data on Gamma activity suggeskind of binding action capable of gathering all

gether in holistic fashion.

mma-band activity in Tibtan Buddhist metta(l

volving Delta Activity

vered that schizophrenics lack Gamma-band ativities that normally feature Gamma activity.

demonstrated that Gamma activity is involved

research team discovered a preponderance ofbes (i.e., the back) of the brain 45 minutes afterascabrew by members of the Santo Daime chuhyltryptamine (DMT) and beta-carbolines, suc

e anxiety when.Transcendental

a activity duringssingof consciousness

eas of the

when your focusdo, but wereely experiencing

lly high degreesword processingalmosthat it ise science is stillied whole. Thiss that thisof the brains

oving kindness)

tivity in

in high-speed

amma-bandthe ingestion ofch in Brazil.as harmaline


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Bibliography

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alpha reflect emotionally positive state and internalized attention: High-resolution EEGinvestigation of meditation. Neuroscience Letters, 310, 57-60.

Austin, J. (1999).Zen and the Brain. Boston: MIT Press.

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Kinnerly, R. C. (2004). An Empirical Investigation into the Effect of Beta Frequency

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http://www.soundlearningconcepts.com/Binaural3.html .

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Padmanabhan R, Hildreth A J, Laws D. (2005). A prospective, randomised, controlled study

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OConner, S. J., Kuperman, S., Reich, T., & Begleiter, H. (2002). Beta Power in the EEG of

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Saxby, E. & Peniston, E. G. (1995). Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training: An

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New York: Tarcher/Penguin.

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Neuroscience of Meditation - Chapter 3