Assessment of Chanting Effects Using EEG Signals

Abstract

Meditation is practiced since the old days and its popularity is growing in recent years to get better mental as well as physical health in a natural way. A rapidly increasing number of studies are involved in finding the biological mech-anism underlying the beneficial impacts of meditation. Surface electroencephalogram (EEG) is a non-invasive way to record the electrical activity of the brain which carries important signature about the different neural processing, going on inside the brain. EEG signals show oscillations at different frequency bands known as EEG rhythms which are associated with divergent neurophysiological states. In this paper, we have analyzed the effect of chanting 'Hare Krishna Mantra’ (HKM) on EEG rhythms. Relative band power of different rhythms, after and before one round (108 times) chanting HKM, are compared. A non-stationary signal decomposition tool, Fourier-Bessel series expansion is used to calculate the band power. After mediation, alpha band power has increased significantly which implies the relaxed and peaceful state of mind. This study on HKM chanting effects on EEG rhythms may show a simple but effective path to control stress, depression, tension, etc.