Training attention for conscious non-REM sleep: The yogic practice of yoga-nidrā and its implications for neuroscience research

Nidrâ yoga is an ancient yogic practice capable of inducing altered states of consciousness characterized by deep relaxation, strong concentration, acute self-awareness, and joy. In modern contemplative neuroscience language, it is known by the name yoga nidra, and few studies have investigated its phenomenological and psychophysiological effects. Six healthy volunteers (four females aged 31–74) performed 12 yoga nidra sessions guided by an expert during a 6-day retreat. Each session consisted of 10 minutes in a resting state (baseline) followed by 2 hours of yoga nidra. Psychometric data regarding dissociative experiences (Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale) and the state of consciousness (Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory) were collected after baseline and yoga nidra, while high-density EEG was recorded during the entire session. During nidra sessions, no sleep hallmarks (i.e., K-complexes and sleep spindles) were detected by the EEG in any subject. Psychometric data we re analyzed using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test corrected with the false discovery rate approach for multiple comparisons. Compared to baseline, yoga nidra practice was related to: (1) increased dissociative effects (p = 0.022); (2) perception of being in an altered state of consciousness (p = 0.026); (3) alterations in perceived body image (p = 0.022); (4) increased “meaningfulness” attributed to the experience (p = 0.026); (5) reduced rational thinking (p = 0.029); and (6) reduced volitional thought control (p = 0.026). First-person experience is discussed in relation to descriptive EEG power spectral density analysis, which was performed in one subject because of severe EEG artifacts in the other recordings; that subject showed, compared to baseline: (1) early increase of alpha and beta power, followed by a progressive widespread reduction; (2) widespread early increase of theta power, followed by a progressive reduction; and (3) widespread increase of gamma power in the latest stages. The present preliminary results enrich the knowledge of yoga nidra, elucidating its phenomenology and suggesting some psychophysiological correlates that future studies may address.

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Impact of Yoga Nidra as Natural Tranquilizer in Emotional Pain

International Journal of Health Sciences and Research ◽

10.52403/ijhsr.20210422 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 156-169

Author(s):

Bhavika Joshi

Keyword(s):

Key Words ◽

Modern Time ◽

Yoga Practice ◽

Emotional Pain ◽

Yogic Practice ◽

Emotional Suffering ◽

Yoga Nidra

As a science of wellbeing, Yoga needs not more introduction. In this modern time Yoga practices utilize as preventive as well as curative aspects. In this article, affect of an ancient yogic Practice called Yoga Nidra can discharge emotional blockages and tie of pain. Emotional suffering is suffering or harmed that originates from non physical sources. In modern time individual may endure from this sort of suffering habitually due to parts of reasons. When an individual cannot express his/her sentiments and suppress that, it may create emotional blockages in mind. Yoga Nidra practice work as tool to help this sort of suffering and work as tranquilizer. Key words: Emotional pain, Yoga Practice, Yoga Nidra.

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Electrographic status epilepticus during non-REM sleep: A report of three cases

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology ◽

10.1016/s0013-4694(97)89042-x ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 103 (1) ◽

pp. 216

Author(s):

S Hajnsek

Keyword(s):

Status Epilepticus ◽

Rem Sleep

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Spectral and Topographic Microstructure of Brain Alpha Activity During Drowsiness at Sleep Onset and REM Sleep

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027//0269-8803.14.3.151 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 151-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

José Luis Cantero ◽

Mercedes Atienza

Keyword(s):

Rem Sleep ◽

Spectral Component ◽

Sleep Onset ◽

Quantitative Information ◽

Maximum Energy ◽

Alpha Activity ◽

The Other ◽

Classification Algorithms ◽

Microstructural Properties ◽

Brain States

Abstract High-resolution frequency methods were used to describe the spectral and topographic microstructure of human spontaneous alpha activity in the drowsiness (DR) period at sleep onset and during REM sleep. Electroencephalographic (EEG), electrooculographic (EOG), and electromyographic (EMG) measurements were obtained during sleep in 10 healthy volunteer subjects. Spectral microstructure of alpha activity during DR showed a significant maximum power with respect to REM-alpha bursts for the components in the 9.7-10.9 Hz range, whereas REM-alpha bursts reached their maximum statistical differentiation from the sleep onset alpha activity at the components between 7.8 and 8.6 Hz. Furthermore, the maximum energy over occipital regions appeared in a different spectral component in each brain activation state, namely, 10.1 Hz in drowsiness and 8.6 Hz in REM sleep. These results provide quantitative information for differentiating the drowsiness alpha activity and REM-alpha by studying their microstructural properties. On the other hand, these data suggest that the spectral microstructure of alpha activity during sleep onset and REM sleep could be a useful index to implement in automatic classification algorithms in order to improve the differentiation between the two brain states.

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Social Psychology and Noninvasive Electrical Stimulation

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040/a000247 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 30-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Paulo S. Boggio ◽

Gabriel G. Rêgo ◽

Lucas M. Marques ◽

Thiago L. Costa

Keyword(s):

Social Psychology ◽

Social Neuroscience ◽

Special Focus ◽

Social Pain ◽

Substantial Evidence ◽

Social Decision ◽

Correlational Research ◽

Neuroscience Research ◽

Social Decision Making ◽

Brain Behavior

Abstract. Social neuroscience and psychology have made substantial advances in the last few decades. Nonetheless, the field has relied mostly on behavioral, imaging, and other correlational research methods. Here we argue that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an effective and relevant technique to be used in this field of research, allowing for the establishment of more causal brain-behavior relationships than can be achieved with most of the techniques used in this field. We review relevant brain stimulation-aided research in the fields of social pain, social interaction, prejudice, and social decision-making, with a special focus on tDCS. Despite the fact that the use of tDCS in Social Neuroscience and Psychology studies is still in its early days, results are promising. As better understanding of the processes behind social cognition becomes increasingly necessary due to political, clinical, and even philosophical demands, the fact that tDCS is arguably rare in Social Neuroscience research is very noteworthy. This review aims at inspiring researchers to employ tDCS in the investigation of issues within Social Neuroscience. We present substantial evidence that tDCS is indeed an appropriate tool for this purpose.

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