Brain response to awe experiences in virtual reality: an integrated linear and nonlinear EEG analysis

Despite the increasing exploration of complex emotions in neuroscience, the neural mechanisms that underlie awe remain almost unexplored. This study represents a pioneering investigation of the functional brain mechanisms that underlie laboratory-induced experiences of awe, in a sample of 34 healthy young adults, made possible with an experimental setup that integrates natural virtual reality (VR) scenarios (three awe-inducing, one awe-neutral), concurrent electroencephalography (EEG) recordings, and emotional questionnaires. Linear and nonlinear analyses, power spectral density, power spectral entropy and wavelet entropy, were applied to 2-s EEG epochs across four frequency bands. Channel-level EEG features were used for statistical comparisons between awe-inducing and awe-neutral VR scenarios (Friedman test, p < 0.05), and entered in general linear model analyses to find the EEG correlates of subjective awe intensity across all VR scenarios. Our results showed similar as well as distinct patterns among scenarios. Recurring metrics increases were those found in selective channels spanning from the frontal and temporal lobes (theta, alpha, beta, gamma bands) to the parietal (beta) and occipital (gamma) lobes, whereas scenario- and metric-specific changes were mainly found in the parietal and occipital lobes. Metrics associated with subjective awe intensity were found in the frontal (theta, alpha, beta, gamma) and right temporal (theta, alpha, gamma) lobes. In conclusion, our VR-EEG experimental and analysis setup offered new insights into frequency-specific neural activity associated with different VR-based instances of awe. These findings underscore the potential of VR as a valuable tool in emotional neuroscience, setting the ground for future applications for mental health interventions.