Cognitive Communication Science Lab, Department of Communication, University of California Davis, United States; Cognitive Science Program, University of California Davis, United States; Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, United States. Electronic address: rwhuskey@ucdavis.edu.
3 papers in the library · 44 citations · publishing 2022-2026
Flow is a cognitive state of complete attentional absorption during a task, marked by intense concentration, a sense of control, feedback, and a balance between challenge and skill. It involves loss of self-consciousness, integration of action and awareness, and altered time perception. This review examines neurophysiological correlates and neuromodulatory processes of flow, focusing on large-scale brain networks and dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and endocannabinoid systems. The authors outline an evidence-based hypothetical scenario and place flow in a broader context with other altered states like psychedelic experiences and traumatic stress. They present a theoretical framework to inspire future testable hypotheses.
Flow—a state of effortless immersion often experienced during video games—shows a moderate inverse relationship with global brain entropy, meaning the brain is less disordered during flow than during boredom or frustration. Synchronization and metastability do not explain flow. Boredom and frustration each display distinct patterns of brain dynamics. These findings integrate earlier observations about prefrontal activity and network synchrony into a single dynamical-systems framework, identifying complexity-based markers that could help map the neural basis of media-related benefits.
Flow—the experience of effortless immersion—shows an inverse relationship with global brain entropy during a video game task, meaning less disorderly brain activity corresponds with more flow. Boredom and frustration each display distinct patterns of brain dynamics. These findings bring together earlier observations about prefrontal activity and network synchrony into a single framework and suggest complexity-based measures could help map the neural basis of media-related benefits.