Endogenous suspension and reset of consciousness: 7T fMRI brain mapping of the extended cessation meditative endpoint
Winson F.z. Yang, Akila Kadambi, Kilian Abellaneda-pérez, Grace Mackin, Isidora Beslic, Ruby Potash, Terje Sparby, Matthew D. Sacchet
bioRxiv Preprint Server September 6, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.1101/2025.09.06.674021 via bioRxiv
Summary
An advanced meditative state called extended cessation, where consciousness is voluntarily suspended and then resumes with heightened clarity and equanimity, was studied using ultra-high-resolution 7T fMRI in three people. This state showed increased activity in brain regions handling basic sensory input and decreased activity in regions linked to complex thought, along with changes in brain-wide activity patterns. The findings challenge two major theories of consciousness and support the Active Inference Framework, suggesting that consciousness can stop without widespread brain suppression and may offer a reset mechanism for mental well-being.
Study at a glance
| Design | observational cohort |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3 |
| Population | three meditators |
| Key finding | Extended cessation involves increased unimodal and decreased transmodal brain activity, expansion of the principal cortical gradient, and decreased low-order global eigenmodes, challenging Global Neuronal Workspace and Integrated Information Theory while supporting the Active Inference Framework. |
Abstract
Extended cessation (EC), an advanced meditative state in which consciousness is volitionally suspended and later reset with immense mental clarity, equanimity, and peace, offers an endogenous model for investigating the mechanisms of consciousness. Using ultra-high-resolution 7T fMRI with dense within-subject sampling (N=3), we quantified whole-brain activity, functional and effective connectivity, cortical gradients, and eigenmodes, and related them to chemoarchitecture and cognitive maps. EC is marked by increased activity in unimodal regions, down-regulation in transmodal regions, subcortex, and brainstem, an expansion of the principal gradient, and decrease in low-order global eigenmodes. Cognitive decoding linked EC to heightened perceptual clarity and attention, least with mental suffering, and co-varied with histaminergic H receptors topology. These findings challenge predictions of Global Neuronal Workspace and Integrated Information Theory, while supporting the Active Inference Framework. More broadly, EC demonstrates that consciousness can cease without global suppression, suggesting a potential “reset” mechanism that fosters equanimity and the potential for flourishing.