http://www.cogsci.ucsd.edu/~pineda/COGS175/readings/Dietrich.pdf … The Transient Hypofrontality hypothesis says that trancelike "altered states" like dreams, meditation, hypnosis, glossolalia, and the "runner's high" are characterized by reduced frontal lobe activity.
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The evidence on meditation is inconsistent. EEG studies from the 1960's-70's found more alpha state and less beta state during meditation, normally an indicator of less frontal lobe activity. But fMRI studies from the 1990's showed *more* PFC activity during meditation.
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This is suspect to me because it tracks changing attitudes towards meditation in the US -- "mindfulness" is more associated with focus, productivity, and maturity today, so researchers probably expect to see more PFC activity. Also, fMRI sucks.
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Dietrich thinks trance states, including endurance exercise, are good for mental stability because they temporarily turn off our frontal lobes. Sort of a Bakhtinian thing. I find this an appealing idea.
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