☆ L8: Meditation, Arousal, and Cardiovascular Function ☆ Flashcards
How might we try to differentiate states of consciousness?
Physiological correlates: HR and BR, third party (objective) measurement, measures response to stimuli (pain, heat, sound, objects) using tests such as the Glasgow coma scale.
Neural correlates: Brain activity, third party (objective) measurement, uses fMRI, EEG
Phenomenological correlates: Self-reported experience, first-person (subjective) measurement, uses Altered State of Consciousness Scale, Gray Near Death Experience Scale
Behavioural correlates
Contrast fixed attention and open monitoring meditation. When would a person
practice each form of meditation?
FA: Involves focusing on an object (the body, a sound, an idea) for extended periods of time.
OM: Does not require a specific focus on an object. The person remains in a receptive state where they monitor whatever incoming thoughts arise.
How can thinking influence physiology?
Meditative thinking/focusing is associated with lower HF-HRV and higher HR
Describe the relationship between meditation and breathing.
Meditation involves assuming specific breathing patterns.
A lowered BR is a feature of relaxation and sleeping the changes induced by meditation are comparable to those associated with relaxation and sleeping.
When you’re relaxing, HR and BR decreases, and HRV increases.
When you’re stressed, HR and BR increases, and HRV decreases.
Long-term meditation is associated with lower breathing rates.
What is an electrocardiogram (ECG) measuring? Why is this tool useful?
An ECG measures heart rate activity
This tool is useful for computing beat to beat variation in heart rate (R-R interval)
Although it is non-invasive, the device is expensive and hard to use so it is primarily used for serious issues
Differentiate heart rate, heart beat interval, and heart rate variability
Heart rate (HR): not constant and adapts to different circumstances
Heartbeat interval: the change in heartbeat intervals overtime
▻ Provides information about how the heart adapts
Heart rate variability (HRV): the change in the time interval between consecutive heartbeats
▻ A measure of change
▻ HRV is increasingly favoured over HR for studying meditation
What is the difference between LF-HRV and HF-HRV?
HF-HRV is correlated with PNS activation
LF-HRV is more ambiguous and may represent PNS and SNS activation
Explain the concept of ‘relaxing’ and ‘active’ meditation styles. Give examples of
meditation styles which might be ‘relaxing’ or ‘active.’
Relaxing styles: meditation styles associated with increased relaxation
▻ Examples: transcendental meditation (TM) mindfulness meditation (MM), Vipassana, Zen
Active styles: meditation styles associated with increased arousal
▻ Evidenced by increases in HR, catecholamine release, and brain activity
▻ Example: LKM/compassion, Vajrayana Buddhist practices
How are blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rate variability affected by different meditation styles?
List which meditation styles affect heart rate and how.
Meditation affects cardiovascular function (HR, HRV, BP) in a manner consistent with activation of the PNS.
HR + HRV & Meditation
With relaxation or relaxing meditation styles: HR slower, R-R longer, HF-HRV higher
With stress or active meditation styles: HR faster, R-R shorter, HF-HRV lower
Changes in HRV correlate with reduction in pain unpleasantness in meditators
BP & Meditation
BP is lower during meditation
Long-term meditation may persistently reduce BP
What is an electroencephalogram (EEG)?
Why is this tool useful?
What is the basis of the EEG signal?
What does an EEG signal represent (in units)?
How do we analyze EEG record?
The EEG is a tool used to measure brain activity in select populations of superficial neurons
Useful for measuring arousal
▻ Different states of arousal (relaxation, sleep, meditation) have different EEG patterns
The basis of the EEG signal is activation from the synapse
▻ Measures depolarization from activated synapses, not firing rate directly
The EEG shows how voltage (volts) changes over time (seconds), expressing this variation in frequency
How does each frequency band on the EEG change with different states of arousal?
Compare meditation to sleep. How is meditation different?
Meditation is similar to stage one (light sleep) of sleep in terms of activity
During sleep but not meditation, the brain cycles through multiple stages (one to three) and can show slow frequency activity
Discuss the interactions between meditation and psychedelics.
There is interest in both meditation and psychedelics as potential treatments for depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Some reports show meditation and psychedelics working together to improve well-being.
