Brain Sciences - The Consciousness Library

Epilepsy and Ecstatic Experiences: The Role of the Insula.

Brain Sciences October 22, 2021 Fabienne Picard, Peter Bossaerts, Fabrice Bartolomei

Ecstatic epilepsy is a rare form of focal epilepsy in which the aura (beginning of the seizures) consists of a blissful state of mental clarity/feeling of certainty. Such a state has also been described as a "religious" or mystical experience. While this form of epilepsy has long been recognized as a temporal lobe epilepsy, we have accumulated evidence converging toward the location of the...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111384 Full text Active inference Anterior insula Certainty Ecstatic aura +4

Dreams and Nightmares during the First and Second Wave of the COVID-19 Infection: A Longitudinal Study.

Brain Sciences October 20, 2021 Serena Scarpelli, Valentina Alfonsi, Maurizio Gorgoni et al. 23 citations

Recent literature shows that the Coronovirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has provoked significant changes in dreaming. The current study intends to provide an update about dream variable changes during the second wave of COVID-19. A total of 611 participants completed a web survey from December 2020 to January 2021. Statistical comparisons showed that subjects had lower dream-recall frequency,...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111375 Full text Dreaming Covid-19 Lockdown Lucid dreams +4

The Longitudinal Effect of Meditation on Resting-State Functional Connectivity Using Dynamic Arterial Spin Labeling: A Feasibility Study.

Brain Sciences September 24, 2021 Zongpai Zhang, Wen-Ming Luh, Wenna Duan et al.

We aimed to assess whether dynamic arterial spin labeling (dASL), a novel quantitative MRI technique with minimal contamination of subject motion and physiological noises, could detect the longitudinal effect of focused attention meditation (FAM) on resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC). A total of 10 novice meditators who recorded their FAM practice time were scanned at baseline and at...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11101263 Full text Default mode network Meditation Arterial spin labeling Dorsal attention network +1

Neuroplasticity within and between Functional Brain Networks in Mental Training Based on Long-Term Meditation.

Brain Sciences August 18, 2021 Roberto Guidotti, Cosimo Del Gratta, Mauro Gianni Perrucci et al. 27 citations

(1) The effects of intensive mental training based on meditation on the functional and structural organization of the human brain have been addressed by several neuroscientific studies. However, how large-scale connectivity patterns are affected by long-term practice of the main forms of meditation, Focused Attention (FA) and Open Monitoring (OM), as well as by aging, has not yet been...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11081086 Full text Meditation Neuroplasticity Mvpa Brain networks +3

Neural Circuits, Microtubule Processing, Brain's Electromagnetic Field-Components of Self-Awareness.

Brain Sciences July 25, 2021 Alicja Różyk-myrta, Andrzej Brodziak, Małgorzata Muc-Wierzgoń 18 citations

The known theories discussing the essence of consciousness have been recently updated. This prompts an attempt to integrate these explanations concerning several distinct components of the consciousness phenomenon such as the ego, and qualia perceptions. Therefore, it is useful to consider the latest publications on the 'Orch OR' and 'cemi' theories, which assume that quantum processing occurs...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11080984 Full text Ego dissolution Electromagnetic field Mental imagery Microtubule +1

Losing the Self in Near-Death Experiences: The Experience of Ego-Dissolution.

Brain Sciences July 14, 2021 Charlotte Martial, Géraldine Fontaine, Olivia Gosseries et al. 37 citations

Many people who have had a near-death experience (NDE) describe, as part of it, a disturbed sense of having a "distinct self". However, no empirical studies have been conducted to explore the frequency or intensity of these effects. We surveyed 100 NDE experiencers (Near-Death-Experience Content [NDE-C] scale total score ≥27/80). Eighty participants had their NDEs in life-threatening situations...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11070929 Full text Ego dissolution Near-death experience Experiencer Nature-relatedness +2

A Neuro-Phenomenological Perspective on the Autism Phenotype.

Brain Sciences July 10, 2021 Antonio Narzisi, Rosy Muccio

In the current paper, we present a view of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) which avoids the typical relational issues, instead drawing on philosophy, in particular Husserlian phenomenology. We begin by following the recent etiological perspectives that suggest a natural predisposition of a part of individuals with ASD towards hypersensitivity and the reduced influence of cognitive priors (i.e.,...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11070914 Full text Mindfulness Autism Cognitive priors Health +2

Therapeutic Potentials of Ketamine and Esketamine in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Eating Disorders (ED): A Review of the Current Literature

Brain Sciences June 27, 2021 Giovanni Martinotti, Stefania Chiappini, Mauro Pettorruso et al. 114 citations

The obsessive-compulsive spectrum refers to disorders drawn from several diagnostic categories that share core features related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), such as obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors and anxiety. Disorders that include these features can be grouped according to the focus of the symptoms, e.g., bodily preoccupation (i.e., eating disorders, ED) or impulse control...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11070856 Ketamine Eating disorders Obsessive compulsive Substance use +2

Self-Boundary Dissolution in Meditation: A Phenomenological Investigation.

Brain Sciences June 21, 2021 Ohad Nave, Fynn-Mathis Trautwein, Yochai Ataria et al. 91 citations

A fundamental aspect of the sense of self is its pre-reflective dimension specifying the self as a bounded and embodied knower and agent. Being a constant and tacit feature structuring consciousness, it eludes robust empirical exploration. Recently, deep meditative states involving global dissolution of the sense of self have been suggested as a promising path for advancing such an...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060819 Full text Meditation Empirical phenomenology Minimal self Neurophenomenology +3

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Physical and Psychological Wellbeing in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Brain Sciences May 29, 2021 Flavia Marino, Chiara Failla, Cristina Carrozza et al. 54 citations

BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been an increased interest in the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) for people with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), although the exact beneficial effects remain unclear. METHODS: This review aims to establish the role of MBI in the management of wellbeing for patients with CVD. Seventeen articles have been included in this systematic synthesis of...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060727 Full text Mindfulness Anxiety Meta-analysis Psychological intervention +3

Attention and Default Mode Network Assessments of Meditation Experience during Active Cognition and Rest.

Brain Sciences April 29, 2021 Kathryn J Devaney, Emily J Levin, Vaibhav Tripathi et al.

Meditation experience has previously been shown to improve performance on behavioral assessments of attention, but the neural bases of this improvement are unknown. Two prominent, strongly competing networks exist in the human cortex: a dorsal attention network, that is activated during focused attention, and a default mode network, that is suppressed during attentionally demanding tasks. Prior...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11050566 Full text Vipassana Default mode network Meditation Cognition +4

Theoretical Models of Consciousness: A Scoping Review.

Brain Sciences April 24, 2021 Davide Sattin, Francesca Giulia Magnani, Laura Bartesaghi et al.

The amount of knowledge on human consciousness has created a multitude of viewpoints and it is difficult to compare and synthesize all the recent scientific perspectives. Indeed, there are many definitions of consciousness and multiple approaches to study the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC). Therefore, the main aim of this article is to collect data on the various theories of...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11050535 Full text Cognition Consciousness definition Consciousness theory Neural correlates +1

Investigation on Neurobiological Mechanisms of Dreaming in the New Decade

Brain Sciences February 11, 2021 Serena Scarpelli, Valentina Alfonsi, Maurizio Gorgoni et al. 27 citations

Dream research has advanced significantly over the last twenty years, thanks to the new applications of neuroimaging and electrophysiological techniques. Many findings pointed out that mental activity during sleep and wakefulness shared similar neural bases. On the other side, recent studies have highlighted that dream experience is promoted by significant brain activation, characterized by...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020220 Dream Wakefulness Consciousness Prefrontal cortex +4

Rhythmic Chanting and Mystical States across Traditions.

Brain Sciences January 13, 2021 Gemma Perry, Vince Polito, William Forde Thompson 52 citations

Chanting is a form of rhythmic, repetitive vocalization practiced in a wide range of cultures. It is used in spiritual practice to strengthen community, heal illness, and overcome psychological and emotional difficulties. In many traditions, chanting is used to induce mystical states, an altered state of consciousness characterised by a profound sense of peace. Despite the global prevalence of...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11010101 Full text Meditation Mystical experience Absorption Altered state +6

Copper Concentrations in Ketamine Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Brain Sciences December 11, 2020 Jakub Słupski, Wiesław Jerzy Cubała, Natalia Górska et al. 7 citations

Changes in serum copper concentration are observed in patients with depressive symptoms. Unmet needs in contemporary antidepressant treatment have increased interest in non-monoaminergic antidepressants, such as ketamine, an anaesthetic drug that has demonstrated a rapid antidepressant effect in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The purpose of this study was to examine whether...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120971

Sex and Gender Differences in the Effects of Novel Psychoactive Substances.

Brain Sciences September 3, 2020 Liana Fattore, Matteo Marti, Rafaela Mostallino et al. 63 citations

Sex and gender deeply affect the subjective effects and pharmaco-toxicological responses to drugs. Men are more likely than women to use almost all types of illicit drugs and to present to emergency departments for serious or fatal intoxications. However, women are just as likely as men to develop substance use disorders, and may be more susceptible to craving and relapse. Clinical and...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10090606 Full text Nps Cannabinoids Cathinones New synthetic drugs +3

Acute DOB and PMA Administration Impairs Motor and Sensorimotor Responses in Mice and Causes Hallucinogenic Effects in Adult Zebrafish

Brain Sciences August 25, 2020 Micaela Tirri, Luisa Ponzoni, Sabrine Bilel et al. 9 citations

The drastic increase in hallucinogenic compounds in illicit drug markets of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is a worldwide threat. Among these, 2, 5-dimetoxy-4-bromo-amphetamine (DOB) and paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA; marketed as “ecstasy”) are frequently purchased on the dark web and consumed for recreational purposes during rave/dance parties. In fact, these two substances seem to induce the...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10090586 Full text Dob Hallucinogens Mice Pma +2

Dream Recall upon Awakening from Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep in Older Adults: Electrophysiological Pattern and Qualitative Features.

Brain Sciences June 3, 2020 Serena Scarpelli, Aurora D'Atri, Chiara Bartolacci et al.

Several findings support the activation hypothesis, positing that cortical arousal promotes dream recall (DR). However, most studies have been carried out on young participants, while the electrophysiological (EEG) correlates of DR in older people are still mostly unknown. We aimed to test the activation hypothesis on 20 elders, focusing on the Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep stage. All the...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10060343 Full text Dream recall EEG Nrem sleep Activation hypothesis +4

Cannabis and Cognition: Connecting the Dots towards the Understanding of the Relationship

Brain Sciences February 27, 2020 Marco Colizzi, Sarah Tosato, Mirella Ruggeri

Several studies have advanced the understanding of the effects of cannabis on cognitive function. A comprehensive reappraisal of such literature may help in drawing conclusions about the potential risks associated with cannabis use. In summary, the evidence suggests that earlier age of use, high-frequency and high-potency cannabis use, as well as sustained use over time and use of synthetic...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10030133

Mechanistic Insights into the Stimulant Properties of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and Their Discrimination by the Dopamine Transporter-In Silico and In Vitro Exploration of Dissociative Diarylethylamines.

Brain Sciences April 7, 2018 Michelle A Sahai, Colin Davidson, Neelakshi Dutta et al.

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) may have unsuspected addiction potential through possessing stimulant properties. Stimulants normally act at the dopamine transporter (DAT) and thus increase dopamine (DA) availability in the brain, including nucleus accumbens, within the reward and addiction pathway. This paper aims to assess DAT responses to dissociative diarylethylamine NPS by means of in...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8040063 Full text Addiction Dat Autoradiography Brain +5

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder: Etiology, Clinical Features, and Therapeutic Perspectives

Brain Sciences March 16, 2018 Giovanni Martinotti, Rita Santacroce, Mauro Pettorruso et al. 171 citations

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is a rare, and therefore, poorly understood condition linked to hallucinogenic drugs consumption. The prevalence of this disorder is low; the condition is more often diagnosed in individuals with a history of previous psychological issues or substance misuse, but it can arise in anyone, even after a single exposure to triggering drugs. The aims...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8030047 Hallucinogen Etiology Perception Clinical psychology

Mood Fluctuation and Psychobiological Instability: The Same Core Functions Are Disrupted by Novel Psychoactive Substances and Established Recreational Drugs

Brain Sciences March 13, 2018 Andrew C. Parrott 13 citations

Many novel psychoactive substances (NPS) have entered the recreational drug scene in recent years, yet the problems they cause are similar to those found with established drugs. This article will debate the psychobiological effects of these newer and more traditional substances. It will show how they disrupt the same core psychobiological functions, so damaging well-being in similar ways. Every...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8030043 Full text Cannabis Amphetamine Cocaine Mephedrone +4

The Effects of Cannabinoids on Executive Functions: Evidence from Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids—A Systematic Review

Brain Sciences February 27, 2018 Koby Cohen, Aviv Weinstein

Background—Cannabis is the most popular illicit drug in the Western world. Repeated cannabis use has been associated with short and long-term range of adverse effects. Recently, new types of designer-drugs containing synthetic cannabinoids have been widespread. These synthetic cannabinoid drugs are associated with undesired adverse effects similar to those seen with cannabis use, yet, in more...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8030040

Behavior in Oblivion: The Neurobiology of Subliminal Priming

Brain Sciences November 27, 2012 Christianne Jacobs, Alexander T. Sack

Subliminal priming refers to behavioral modulation by an unconscious stimulus, and can thus be regarded as a form of unconscious visual processing. Theories on recurrent processing have suggested that the neural correlate of consciousness (NCC) comprises of the non-hierarchical transfer of stimulus-related information. According to these models, the neural correlate of subliminal priming (NCSP)...

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci2020225 Full text Subliminal priming Visual awareness

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