A systematic review of 25 studies involving 471 participants examined the neural correlates of flow—the subjective experience of automatic, effortless, and intrinsically rewarding task performance. Studies using EEG, fMRI, fNIRS, or tDCS converge on the involvement of anterior brain regions linked to attention, executive function, and reward, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and inferior frontal gyrus. However, the dynamics of these regions during flow are inconsistent across studies. The evidence is sparse and inconclusive, limiting theoretical debate. Major limitations include a small number of studies, high heterogeneity, and methodological constraints.
Flow state—the experience of effortless, optimal performance—has been studied behaviorally, but its neural basis is only beginning to be understood. This systematic review of 25 studies with 471 participants found that brain areas involved in attention, executive function, and reward, particularly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and inferior frontal gyrus, appear important for flow. However, the specific dynamics of these regions during flow are inconsistent across studies. The authors conclude that the evidence is sparse and inconclusive, limiting theoretical debate, and they highlight major methodological constraints and high heterogeneity as key limitations.