Dynamic brain states underlying advanced concentrative absorption meditation: A 7-T fMRI-intensive case study.
Network neuroscience (Cambridge, Mass.) – January 01, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
Advanced meditation significantly alters brain states, with a meditator experiencing distinct dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) during 27 runs of jhāna meditation and 7-T fMRI scans. Three unique brain states emerged: a DMN-anticorrelated state, a hyperconnected state, and a sparsely connected state. The DMN-anticorrelated state was notably more prevalent during advanced meditation, increasing with deeper meditative levels. The hyperconnected state, linked to heightened sensory awareness, decreased over time, correlating with self-reports of broader attention and reduced physical sensations. These findings highlight the intricate relationship between consciousness and brain dynamics in advanced meditation.
Abstract
Advanced meditation consists of states and stages of practice that unfold with mastery and time. Dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) analysis of fMRI could identify brain states underlying advanced meditation. We conducted an intensive DFC case study of a meditator who completed 27 runs of jhāna advanced absorptive concentration meditation (ACAM-J), concurrently with 7-T fMRI and phenomenological reporting. We identified three brain states that marked differences between ACAM-J and nonmeditative control conditions. These states were characterized as a DMN-anticorrelated brain state, a hyperconnected brain state, and a sparsely connected brain state. Our analyses indicate higher prevalence of the DMN-anticorrelated brain state during ACAM-J than control states, and the prevalence increased significantly with deeper ACAM-J states. The hyperconnected brain state was also more common during ACAM-J and was characterized by elevated thalamocortical connectivity and somatomotor network connectivity. The hyperconnected brain state significantly decreased over the course of ACAM-J, associating with self-reports of wider attention and diminished physical sensations. This brain state may be related to sensory awareness. Advanced meditators have developed well-honed abilities to move in and out of different altered states of consciousness, and this study provides initial evidence that functional neuroimaging can objectively track their dynamics.