The Mystical Brain: How Near Death (NDEs), Meditation, & Psychedelics Expand Consciousness

Описание: This 7-min micro-lecture explores Woollacott & Shumway-Cook's 2020 publiation on the neural (brain) correlates of mystical experiences -- including near death experiences (NDEs), deep meditation, and psychedeluc use.

I. Mystical Experienecs
Interestingly, a range of research findings show that mystical experiences -- including NDEs, meditation, and psilocybin use -- share remarkably similar core features. These include a profound sense of unity, ego‑dissolution, and the feeling that time has dissolved. These experiences are often described as spiritually transformative and can lead to lasting changes such as increased compassion, reduced fear of death, and a renewed sense of meaning.

II. A Common Neural Signature
Scientific evidence links all three states to decreased activity in the Default Mode Network (DMN) — the brain system involved in self‑referential thinking, autobiographical memory, and the construction of the ego. When the DMN quiets down, the boundaries of the self loosen, allowing for a more expansive mode of awareness.

III. The Filter Theory of Consciousness
The authors propose a “filter theory,” suggesting that the brain normally acts as a reducing valve, filtering out a broader reality to maintain a stable sense of self. When this filter relaxes — whether through a near‑death event, meditative absorption, or psychedelic action — consciousness may expand beyond its usual constraints.

IV. Mystical Experience as More Than Hallucination
Rather than dismissing these states as mere illusions, the research argues that they may reflect the brain stepping aside, allowing access to deeper layers of perception. The consistency of these experiences across different induction methods points to a shared biological mechanism underlying profound spiritual insight.

V. Challenging Traditional Materialism
These findings raise important questions about the nature of consciousness. By revealing a reproducible neural pattern associated with mystical‑type experiences, the research challenges strictly materialist interpretations and opens the door to new scientific and philosophical perspectives.

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Source: Woollacott, M., & Shumway-Cook, A. (2020). The Mystical Experience and Its Neural Correlates. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 38(1). (PDF Here: https://marjoriewoollacott.com/wp-con....