Related Experiment Videos
Intersubject EEG coherence: is consciousness a field?
The International Journal of Neuroscience
|May 1, 1982
Summary
EEG coherence increased between subjects practicing Transcendental Meditation (TM) when a large group participated in the TM-Sidhi program nearby. This finding suggests a potential field effect of consciousness, correlating with reduced social disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Previous studies indicated reduced social disorder associated with Transcendental Meditation (TM) and TM-Sidhi programs.
- A field theoretic view of consciousness proposes interconnectedness among individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if EEG coherence between individuals practicing TM changes when a large group participates in the TM-Sidhi program.
- To explore potential field effects of consciousness.
Main Methods:
- Measured EEG coherence between three subjects during a one-hour TM practice session.
- Evaluated coherence during baseline and experimental periods, comparing experimental days (large TM-Sidhi group participation) with control days.
- Analyzed coherence in alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (16-20 Hz) frequencies.
Main Results:
- Intersubject EEG coherence was generally low but significantly higher in alpha and beta frequencies.
- EEG coherence increased during the experimental period compared to the baseline period on experimental days.
- This increase was statistically significant (p = 0.02) on experimental days versus control days, particularly in alpha and beta frequencies.
Conclusions:
- EEG coherence between individuals practicing TM can increase when a large group engages in the TM-Sidhi program.
- Results support a field theoretic model of consciousness and align with sociological findings of reduced social disorder.
- Suggests a measurable physiological correlate for large-scale consciousness effects.