University of Sussex
EEG Signal Diversity Increases during Stroboscopic-Induced Altered State of Consciousness - presented at theassc.org/assc-22/Association for the Scientific study of Consciousness 22 Conference Krakow 2018 by Dr David Schwartzman
Harmonic Brainwaves abstract: What are the global neuronal signatures of altered states of consciousness (ASC)? Recently, increases in neural signal diversity, above those found in wakeful rest, have been reported during the psychedelic state (Schartner et al., 2017, Scientific Reports). These observations raise the possibility that increases in neuronal signal diversity, usually associated with alterations in level of consciousness, in this case reflects the rich phenomenal content associated with psychedelic ASC. To explore this question further and test if the previously found pharmacologically-induced increases in signal diversity were due to drug-specific changes in neural dynamics as opposed to changes in phenomenal content, we used stroboscopic stimulation (Lucia N°03 pictured) to induce non-pharmacological ASC while measuring the diversity of EEG signals across distinct phenomenal states. Characterising the effects of stroboscopic stimulation, we found increases in the intensity and range of subjective experiences reported during stimulation across multiple phenomenological dimensions, which were similar to the changes in experience and phenomenal content found during psilocybin induced ASC (Muthukumaraswamy et al., 2013, J Neurosci). Crucially, we found that 3Hz and 10Hz stroboscopic stimulation were associated with signal diversity scores that exceeded those associated with wakeful rest, a similar pattern of results to the psychedelic state (Schartner et al., 2017).These findings provide further support for the hypothesis that increased neuronal signal diversity reflects increases in the range of phenomenal content associated with some ASC. |
States of Mind - Tracing the edges of Consciousness - Sackler Centre, Wellcome Trust.
In Touch with Reality was an evening with the Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex (led by Dr. David Schwartzman and Dr. Keisuke Suzuki) held at the Wellcome collection as an outreach event to the popular exhibition States of Mind. On the evening over 100 members of the public of all ages attended this two hour event. In Touch with Reality investigated how our brains create the feeling of having a body, and how malleable this feeling is. The exhibition showcased the Sackler Centre’s cutting-edge research straight from the lab, including multiple virtual and augmented reality exhibits, interactive displays exploring how our experience of the world is shaped by the body and how body-experience itself is actively constructed, moment-to-moment, by the brain. The event inspired this article by James Hackner - Cracking consciousness: can science explain the mystery of ourselves? |
University of Applied Sciences, Munich
INTO THE LIGHT - Creativity through light.
Students from the fields of Illustration, Photography, Character Design, Environmental Design and Transportation Design took part in a study lead by Prof. Ralph Buchner into the possibilities of inspiration and stimulation by the Lucia no.03. To understand the influence of the Lucia in more detail the students conducted sessions of various lengths and intensities using different programmes, documenting their experiences in words and sketches. Results showed greater clarity and creativity in their work. Read the full report here . |