Corrigendum: Toward a unifying taxonomy and definition for meditation

Nash, Jonathan D.; Newberg, Andrew B.; Awasthi, Bhuvanesh

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02206

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The post-SNB phase is also characterized by a heightened perception of being in a non-ordinary state of consciousness, whose key features are an altered perception of the body, an unusual meaning attributed to the experience accompanied by the perception of being in an altered state of awareness. Notably, and at variance with Piarulli et al (2018) , the non-ordinary state of consciousness here described is not accompanied either by a reduction of rational thinking or volitional control; from a phenomenological perspective, the emerging scenario is that of a deeply relaxed but fully aware non-ordinary state of consciousness comparable to meditation ( Nash et al, 2013 , 2019 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…The role of slow breathing in, in the context of meditative practices ( Nash et al, 2013 , 2019 ), assumes, therefore, a special psychophysiological interest. Slow breathing is at the basis of the contemplative eastern traditions of voluntary control of breathing, “Pranayama,” which favors the achievement of non-ordinary states of consciousness and self-awareness proper of deeper meditative states.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Neural Correlates of Non-ordinary States of Consciousness in Pranayama Practitioners: The Role of Slow Nasal Breathing

Zaccaro

Piarulli

Melosini

et al. 2022

Front. Syst. Neurosci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The modulatory effect of nasal respiration on integrative brain functions and hence consciousness has recently been unambiguously demonstrated. This effect is sustained by the olfactory epithelium mechanical sensitivity complemented by the existence of massive projections between the olfactory bulb and the prefrontal cortex. However, studies on slow nasal breathing (SNB) in the context of contemplative practices have sustained the fundamental role of respiratory vagal stimulation, with little attention to the contribution of the olfactory epithelium mechanical stimulation. This study aims at disentangling the effects of olfactory epithelium stimulation (proper of nasal breathing) from those related to respiratory vagal stimulation (common to slow nasal and mouth breathing). We investigated the psychophysiological (cardio-respiratory and electroencephalographic parameters) and phenomenological (perceived state of consciousness) aftereffects of SNB (epithelium mechanical – 2.5 breaths/min) in 12 experienced meditators. We compared the nasal breathing aftereffects with those observed after a session of mouth breathing at the same respiratory rate and with those related to a resting state condition. SNB induced (1) slowing of electroencephalography (EEG) activities (delta-theta bands) in prefrontal regions, (2) a widespread increase of theta and high-beta connectivity complemented by an increase of phase-amplitude coupling between the two bands in prefrontal and posterior regions belonging to the Default Mode Network, (3) an increase of high-beta networks small-worldness. (4) a higher perception of being in a non-ordinary state of consciousness. The emerging scenario strongly suggests that the effects of SNB, beyond the relative contribution of vagal stimulation, are mainly ascribable to olfactory epithelium stimulation. In conclusion, slow Pranayama breathing modulates brain activity and hence subjective experience up to the point of inducing a non-ordinary state of consciousness.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%