Brain sources of EEG gamma frequency during volitionally meditation-induced, altered states of consciousness, and experience of the self

Abstract

Multichannel EEG of an advanced meditator was recorded during four different, repeated meditations. Locations of intracerebral source gravity centers as well as Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA) functional images of the EEG 'gamma' (35-44 Hz) frequency band activity differed significantly between meditations. Thus, during volitionally self-initiated, altered states of consciousness that were associated with different subjective meditation states, different brain neuronal populations were active. The brain areas predominantly involved during the self-induced meditation states aiming at visualization (right posterior) and verbalization (left central) agreed with known brain functional neuroanatomy. The brain areas involved in the self-induced, meditational dissolution and reconstitution of the experience of the self (right fronto-temporal) are discussed in the context of neural substrates implicated in normal self-representation and reality testing, as well as in depersonalization disorders and detachment from self after brain lesions.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

• State of the evidence: Altered states of consciousness ↑Supports

  Different self-induced meditation states were associated with significantly different locations of EEG gamma-band sources, indicating distinct active neuronal populations across subjective states.

  Synthesized October 19, 2026

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.