Abstract
We use a unique environment of Whole Body Perceptual Deprivation (WBPD) to induce an altered state of consciousness (ASC) in our participants, and employ online EEG recording. We present individual EEG alpha profiles, and show how these data can be analyzed at the individual level. Our goal is to investigate to what degree subjective experience matches EEG alpha profile, and in particular, the various alpha hemispheric asymmetries observed in the frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes. Specifically, we consider positive (frontal L < R) or negative (frontal L > R) affect; a more verbal (L > R) or a more imagistic (R > L) mode of thinking; and a more trancelike (frontal > parietal) or more reflective (frontal < parietal) state of consciousness. Our results indicate that the individual alpha profiles are reflected in individual differences in subjective experience. However, the alpha profiles are confounded with the gender of the participant. Specifically, there is a predominant R > L asymmetry found for male participants, and a predominant L > R asymmetry found for female participants.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 81-92 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Neuropsychologia |
Volume | 125 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 4 Mar 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2019 Elsevier Ltd
Funding
We thank Monika Harvey and our two anonymous readers for their insightful comments on this paper. This research was supported by a grant from the Bial Foundation ( 228/14 ). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Funders | Funder number |
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Fundação Bial | 228/14 |
Keywords
- Alpha
- EEG
- Ganzfeld
- Gender
- Whole-Body Perceptual Deprivation