Endogenous suspension of phenomenal consciousness during extended cessation: Regional homogeneity analysis of multi-participant 7T fMRI of an advanced meditative endpoint.
Winson F Z Yang, Akila Kadambi, Ruby Potash, Terje Sparby, Matthew D Sacchet
Imaging Neuroscience 2026 DOI: 10.1162/imag.a.1443 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3 |
| Population | Advanced meditators capable of entering extended cessation |
| Keywords | Advanced meditation Brainstem Chemoarchitecture Consciousness Extended cessation Subcortical |
| Key findings | Extended cessation was marked by increased activity in unimodal sensory cortices and viscerosensory brainstem nuclei and down-regulation in transmodal regions, subcortex, and brainstem, with connectivity changes covarying with histaminergic H3 receptor topology. The authors argue that loss of experience need not entail global neural suppression, supporting accounts emphasizing selective precision modulation and hierarchical decoupling, and propose EC as a potential "reset" mechanism fostering equanimity and flourishing. |
Abstract
Extended cessation (EC) is a rare advanced meditative state characterized by the voluntary absence of reportable phenomenal experience, followed by reproducible aftereffects including immense mental clarity, equanimity, and peace. EC offers an endogenous model for investigating the mechanisms of consciousness. In a small-N case study (N = 3) using ultra-high-resolution 7T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with dense within-subject sampling, we quantified whole-brain activity and related it to chemoarchitecture and cognitive maps. EC is marked by increased activity in unimodal sensory cortices and viscerosensory brainstem nuclei, and down-regulation in transmodal regions, subcortex and brainstem. Meta-analytic cognitive decoding linked EC to perceptual clarity and attentional processes, and away from distress-related domains. Multivariate coupling to normative neurotransmitter maps revealed that EC-related connectivity changes covaried with histaminergic H3 receptors topology. These findings constrain prevailing theories of consciousness by demonstrating that loss of experience need not entail global neural suppression, and supports accounts emphasizing selective precision modulation and hierarchical decoupling. More broadly, EC demonstrates that consciousness can cease without global suppression, suggesting a potential "reset" mechanism that fosters equanimity and the potential for flourishing.