The mystical experience and its neural correlates.
Journal of Near-Death Studies January 1, 2020 M. Woollacott, A. Shumway-cook
Three types of spiritually transformative experiences—near-death experiences, psilocybin experiences, and meditative experiences of cosmic consciousness—share common features including expanded awareness, profound lasting life changes, and reduced neural activity in major brain centers such as the Default Mode Network. The authors propose that decreased activity in brain regions that normally act as a filter or reducing valve allows expanded awareness, which is linked to lasting transformation. This synthesis draws on case studies, controlled clinical research, and neurophysiological data.