Physical influence of flickering light on certain areas of the brain – first detection using fMRT
Timo Torsten Schmidt (Free University of Berlin), Marie Therese Bartossek, Johanna Kemmerer are researching the influence of flickering light of brain areas using fMRT for the first time
areas using fMRT for the first time
Flicker light stimulation (FLS) is a non-pharmacological method to produce short-term changes in the state of consciousness. This is typically done by stimulating with strobe light with your eyes closed. FLS is associated with visual hallucinations of colors and geometric shapes (Allefeld, 2011 –https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2010.10.026 ; Schwartzman, 2019 – https://doi.org/10.1101/511766).
FLS can produce visual effects similar to those caused by psychedelic substances. It turns out that the effects appear to be strongest in the frequency range 8-12Hz, which corresponds to the so-called alpha frequency range of brain activity (Bartossek et al., 2021). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253779 (Schwartzman, 2019 – https://doi.org/10.1101/511766, Mauro, 2015 –https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0390-15.2015, Shevelev, 2000 – https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-8760(00)00105-7).
Sensational results of this study:
MRI, For the First time it was possible to show which specific areas of the brain are involved in visual hallucinations. An increase in connectivity was found between certain thalamic nuclei and the visual center in the cerebrum. This altered interaction depends on the frequency of the FLS, which is consistent with the observation that the subjectively perceived colors and shapes are strongest in the alpha frequency range.
For the first time, the specific thalamic nuclei and visual areas that exhibit altered connectivity during flicker-light-induced hallucinatory phenomena have been identified. (Amaya, 2023). https://doi.org/10.1162/imag_a_00033
In addition to these findings, it has also been shown that FLS leads to an increase in neuronal signal diversity (Schwartzman, 2019). Furthermore, FLS has been shown to alter the state of consciousness such that an increase in sleepiness and a decrease in tension have been described (von Gizycki, 1998 – https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3999(97)00204-3).
This influence from FLS activates areas of the brain that would normally occur when consuming LSD, MDMA or psilocybin. However, flickering light stimulation has the advantage that you can switch off the device (e.g. a Lucia N°03 meditation lamp) immediately if you reach unpleasant states of consciousness. This would not be possible with psychedelic substances because the effect only wears off over a certain period of time.
See in particular lines 621 ff “Conclusions” in the text of the study.
Summary English: Dr. Bülent Köylü, 6300 Wörgl, Austria, 17.03.2021
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Foto: light attendance gmbh (Berlin Insight conference 2021, Dr. Timo Torsten Schmidt, Präsentation der Studie)
STUDY – EEG Functional Connectivity … Dissociative States (2)
STUDY – EEG Functional Connectivity … Dissociative States
Link
STUDY – EEG Functional Connectivity and Phenomenology of Induced Dissociative States,
Dr. David Schwartzman et alias, University of Sussex, Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, Brighton UK, 2016
Abstract
… This study aimed to identify an EEG signature for dissociative states, and for 4 sub-factors related to dissociative and altered consciousness type experiences. Resting alpha frequency-matched photic stimulation was used to successfully induce a temporary dissociative state in 23 healthy volunteers. Phenomenological reports were taken using a range of scales and results were clustered into 4 groups of phenomena (detachment, somatosensory changes, mystical/religious experience, visual hallucination). Differences in functional connectivity and network efficiency were identified for each of these groups. Participants reported higher levels of dissociation and anomalous experience under alpha-matched photic stimulation. There were
significant differences in both connectivity and power in the induced dissociative state. There were also notable differences in regional connectivity within clusters of sub-phenomena related to detachment and mystical experience.
Author(s):
David J. Schwartzman|Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom.
Michael Schartner|Département des Neurosciences Fondamentales, Université de Genève, 1206 Genève.
Benjamin B. Ador| Master BioSciences, Département de Biologie, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France,
Acer Y.-C. Chang|Department of Neuroinformatics, Araya Brain Imaging, Tokyo, Japan.
Francesca Simonelli|Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom.
Anil K. Seth|Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom.
Study of Candidate Number 121060, University of Sussex
pict and abstract taken from the paper of the study.
We thank Dr. David Schwartzman & team who researched 2015 using the meditation lamp Lucia N°03.
“Harmonic Brainwaves” ASSC22 Conference Krakau 2018
ASSC22 Konferenz Krakau 2018
TEEG Signal Diversity Increases during Stroboscopic-Induced Altered State of Consciousness.
Presenting Author: David Schwartzman,
with: Association for the Scientific study of Consciousness 22 conference Krakow 2018
Author(s):
David J. Schwartzman|Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom.
Michael Schartner|Département des Neurosciences Fondamentales, Université de Genève, 1206 Genève.
Benjamin B. Ador| Master BioSciences, Département de Biologie, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France,
Acer Y.-C. Chang|Department of Neuroinformatics, Araya Brain Imaging, Tokyo, Japan.
Francesca Simonelli|Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom.
Anil K. Seth|Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom.
Abstract: What are the global neuronal signatures of altered states of consciousness (ASC)? ….
Abstract: What are the global neuronal signatures of altered states of consciousness (ASC)? Recently, increases in neural signal diversity, above those found in wakeful rest, have been reported during the psychedelic state (Schartner et al., 2017, Scientific Reports). These observations raise the possibility that increases in neuronal signal diversity, usually associated with alterations in level of consciousness, in this case reflects the rich phenomenal content associated with psychedelic ASC. To explore this question further and test if the previously found pharmacologically-induced increases in signal diversity were due to drug-specific changes in neural dynamics as opposed to changes in phenomenal content, we used stroboscopic stimulation to induce non-pharmacological ASC while measuring the diversity of EEG signals across distinct phenomenal states. Characterising the effects of stroboscopic stimulation, we found increases in the intensity and range of subjective experiences reported during stimulation across multiple phenomenological dimensions, which were similar to the changes in experience and phenomenal content found during psilocybin induced ASC (Muthukumaraswamy et al., 2013, J Neurosci). Crucially, we found that 3Hz and 10Hz stroboscopic stimulation were associated with signal diversity scores that exceeded those associated with wakeful rest, a similar pattern of results to the psychedelic state (Schartner et al., 2017). These findings provide further support for the hypothesis that increased neuronal signal diversity reflects increases in the range of phenomenal content associated with some ASC.
Poster for ASSC22 conference
Dr. David Schwartzman profile University of Sussex
ASSC Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness
Photo & Text by David Schwartzman
INTO the light – study about creativity
We are especially grateful to Prof. Ralph Buchner
of the University of Applied Sciences Munich for Design & his students for the scientific work and the paper.
Study »INTO THE LIGHT, Creativity through Psychedelic Light Travel«
Quotes:
” …Creativity research shows, that with the help of extraordinary states of consciousness one can leave old thought patterns and be open to a new approach. …
… Even after the first sessions new creative solutions through light experience seemed possible: »After the session, in only a few minutes I drew three pages of character-sketches.« a character design-student said. An industrial-design student discovered that he was able to see the topics he was working on from a different perspective. And an illustration-student remarked: »I was free for something new, had a creative boost, and was drawing the entire afternoon after the Lucia session.« …
… As part of a project seminar in the working field »Research and Experiment« at the School of Design, students investigated through individual design projects in fields of illustration, photography, character design, environmental design, and transportation design possibilities with inspiration from the light experience with Lucia Nº03. …
… Additionally, an attempt was made to make the inner visual psychedelic experience digitally or analogically visible. …
… To capture the influence more closely of the neurostimulator Lucia N°03 …
Study Into the light Ralph Buchner University of applied science Munich 2015
News research Ralph Buchner University of applied science Munich
photo: https://pixabay.com/de/illustrations/erde-raum-sonnenlicht-1756274/
Last great mystery Consciousness
Scientist Anil Seth, Co-director of Sackler Center University Brighton, UK
Quotes:
“Two complete strangers, eyes closed, sit opposite a lamp. This is no ordinary lamp. This is Lucia N°03, a state-of-the-art device made in Austria that scientists believe could help them unlock the mystery of consciousness. The specific patterns of stroboscopic light it pulses onto your closed eye can induce various unusual experiences, including vivid geometric hallucinations or feelings of being disconnected from your own body. ….”
“…As you’re having these very intense experiences, your sense of your body drifts away, until it’s really just like this pure conscious experience,” says David Schwartzman, a researcher in the Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science at the University of Sussex….”
“… Watch the video: David Schwartzman on how flicker stimulation can replicate the feeling of being disconnected from your body. …”
” …David is part of a 25-strong team of neuroscientists, psychologists, computer scientists and psychiatrists at the Sackler Centre dedicated to cracking consciousness. …”
“… Co-director Anil Seth says: “Consciousness is the last great mystery. Without consciousness there is, really, nothing at all. …”
If you are interested in this field of science we strongly recommend to watch the scientific report:
Quotes are taken from:
Read details about “Cracking Consiousness” research of Sussex University Sackler Centre 2016
Photo: https://pixabay.com/de/illustrations/design-gesicht-dialog-gespr%c3%a4ch-2808308/