Arousal & Consciousness

Question 1

Consciousness
- Altered state
- Three dimensional theory

Answer 1

State of being awake and aware of one’s surroundings
- Altered state: If state of consciousness differs from waking state
- 3D theory: Consciousness is on axes of internal awareness, wakefulness, connectedness

Question 2

To differentiate states, we use? (3)

Answer 2

• Neural correlates (Objective)
• Behavioural and physiological correlates (Objective)
• Self-reported phenomenological correlates (First-person, subjective)

Question 3

What factors are specific to meditation compared to relaxation/sleep (4)

Answer 3

• Focus of attention
• Non-judgmental acceptance
• Enlightenment, inner calm
• Changing personal relationships

Question 4

Time in retreat impact on breathing

Answer 4

More time in retreat led to more breathing change

Question 5

Heart rate (HR) vs Heart rate variability (HRV)
- R-R interval
- HRV when resting vs stressed + types of waves common in complex waves

Answer 5

HR - Beats per min
HRV - Change in time interval between consecutive heart beats
—
R-R interval - Beat-to-beat variation in heart rate
—
Rest: Large R-R interval, slow HR, high HRV; High waves common
Stress: Small R-R interval, high HR, low HRV; Ultra-low waves common

Question 6

High frequency HRV vs low frequency -?HRV autonomic nervous system activation

Relaxing meditation styles (mindfulness, Visappana, Zen) vs Vajrayana meditation HF-HRV balance

Chanhe in HRV is correlated w/ reduction in pain in ___ but not ___

Answer 6

High - PNS activates
Low - more ambiguous; PNS and SNS activation
—
Relaxing styles - Increase HF-HRV balance
Vajrayana - Decrease HR-HRV balance (more arousing)
—
Meditators, sham meditators

Question 7

Normal range of blood pressure in SBP/DBP
- Effect of long term meditation on BP
- Effect of transcendental meditation vs MBI?

Answer 7

120/80 mmHg
- May persistently reduce BP
- Both specifically reduces SBP but not DBP

Question 8

Result of study of mindfulness meditation on BP vs active control
- Tested at 4, 8 (end of education course), and 20 weeks (follow-up)

Answer 8

Showed lower BP at 8 weeks but not at 20 weeks
- May be bcuz no practice maintained afterwards so effect disappeared

Question 9

Breath of fire and segmented breathing meditation
- How do HR and respiration differ from relaxation meditation?

Answer 9

HR and respiration increase, showing more arousal

Question 10

Meditative focusing vs Defocused meditation
- Effect on HF-HRV and HR

Answer 10

Focusing: Open eyes, direct thoughts to attributes of sanskrit syllable OM
- Lower HF-HRV and higher HR

Defocused: Close eyes and dwell on thoughts of OM
- Lower HR

**Shows that focus matters

Question 11

Brain has how many neurons
EEG measures what
- Why is EEG better than fMRI for brain activity (3)

Answer 11

86 billion
Potential difference (volts/time), shown as frequency
- Good temporal resolution (can detect change quickly)
- More cost-effective and accessible
- More enviros compatible w/ EEG, better for long measurement periods

Question 12

Frequency ranges of arousal w/ EEG:
- Beta
- Alpha
- Theta
- Delta
*Which goes up in meditation?
Active and relaxing meditation are compared to what sleep stages?

Answer 12

13-30 Hz
7-13 Hz -> Alpha increases in meditation
4-7 Hz
1-4 Hz
—
Active: Awake, drowsy/relaxed
Relaxing: Drowsy/relaxed, stage N1 sleep

Question 13

Meditation and psychedelics:
- Found to be potential treatments for what
- Overlap in what

Answer 13

• Depression, anxiety, addiction (improve overall wellbeing)
• Self-loss