Background: Brainstem reticular formation (BRF) is crucially involved in regulating arousal, making it a potential target for reversing general anesthesia. The transnasal approach provides a minimally invasive access to the ventral brainstem. However, whether this approach can effectively modulate arousal remains unknown. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of transnasal BRF electrical...
One important element of twentieth-century avant-garde composition is the intersection between advances in technology and transformations in religious consciousness and experience. This piece argues that the lineage from John Cage through Pierre Schaeffer, Pauline Oliveros, Alvin Lucier, Eliane Radigue, and William Basinski make for a compelling addition to the study of religion and sound/music.
Abstract Psychedelics profoundly alter conscious experience, yet how they reshape the relationship between brain anatomy and function remains unclear. In particular, it is unknown whether psychedelic states reflect a global disruption of structure–function organization or a frequency– and network-specific reconfiguration of neural dynamics relative to the structural connectome. Here we address...
The concept of mind and consciousness has been central to both classical yogic philosophy and contemporary psychological science. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali presents a systematic psychological framework centered around citta (mind-stuff), its modifications (vrittis), and the attainment of higher states of consciousness through disciplined practice. Modern psychology, particularly cognitive...
Rationale: Ego-dissolution represents a key therapeutic mechanism in psychedelic-assisted therapy, yet current measurement approaches may inadequately capture its multidimensional nature.Objective: To develop and validate the Multidimensional Ego-Dissolution Assessment (MEDA) and examine substance-specific patterns across classical psychedelics.Methods: Items from three validated scales...
ABSTRACT: This account explores how circumstances verging on the other‐worldly alter human perception and consciousness in a fieldwork situation. The case study involves an archaeological field survey team stranded for a time on a remote Lapland mountain. By applying the method of weirding, drawing inspiration from the narrative force of weird fiction, we examine how the team interacted with...
Alien abduction reports often follow a strikingly familiar pattern: lost time, immobilization, floating, bright lights, and invasive procedures. These memories are emotionally intense and vividly detailed—even when the events themselves can’t be verified. This chapter explores how neuroscience might explain why such experiences feel real, even when they may not reflect objective reality. Topics...
ABSTRACT Based on ethnographic research, this paper describes select views and experiences of a Sufi schoolteacher pressured at work into silence about her interpretation of Islam. At Tafsīr Islamic Academy (TIA), unity was broadly construed as achieved through conformity to mainstream Sunni belief and practice. Salihah, one of its teachers and a practicing Sufi, portrayed unity as an...
Psychedelic substances like ayahuasca, psilocybin, and LSD have been used for thousands of years in spiritual ceremonies, with users often reporting transcendent and life-altering experiences. Chapter 8 traces the arc of psychedelic use from ancient rituals and colonization to the countercultural revolution and modern neuroscience labs. The chapter blends cultural history with...
Meditation is known to modulate neural activity and enhance cognitive and emotional well-being. While previous studies have largely reported increases in alpha and theta activity, the neurophysiological effects of structured sound-based meditation practices remain underexplored. This study investigated the neurophysiological and subjective effects of rhythmic sound meditation (RSM) compared to...