The Self, Unbound: Neurofeedback-Assisted Meditation for Eliciting Transformative Self-Dissolution Experiences

Overview:

Utilizing meditation and neuro-imaging, this study seeks to better understand altered states of consciousness and the potential for promoting well-being.

Abstract: 

This project aims to investigate the impact of meditation and psychedelics on self-dissolution and human thriving. It combines neuroimaging, neurofeedback, phenomenology, computational modeling, cognitive tasks, and self-reports. The project consists of five work-packages, including analyzing neuroimaging data to understand the effects of self-dissolution states, assessing the long-term impact on human thriving, developing a computational model of self-dissolution, implementing neurofeedback training, and testing its effectiveness in both expert meditators and the general population. The project utilizes measures such as beta spectral power, Lempel-Ziv complexity, and transfer-entropy to examine neural markers associated with self-dissolution. The goal is to uncover the neural correlates of self-dissolution, develop a computational model, and create an EEG-neurofeedback protocol that can be used in future applications. The project aims to contribute to our understanding of altered states of consciousness and their potential for promoting well-being.

Broader Impact:

This project seeks to understand how meditation and psychedelics change our sense of self by studying brain activity, ultimately creating an affordable neurofeedback tool that helps people safely experience transformative self-dissolution, promoting lasting mental flexibility and well-being.