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Colloquium credits

Presentation Master's thesis - Gaayathri Thampi - Brain & Cognition

Colloquium credits

Presentation Master's thesis - Gaayathri Thampi - Brain & Cognition

Last modified on 26-06-2025 15:50
The Neural Correlates of the Ajna (Third-Eye) Chakra: A case study fMRI analysis of an Experienced Yogi 
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30-06-2025 13:00
event-summary.end-date
30-06-2025 14:00
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Roeterseilandcampus - Gebouw C, Straat: Nieuwe Achtergracht 129-B, Ruimte: GS.08. Vanwege beperkte zaalcapaciteit is deelname op basis van wie het eerst komt, het eerst maalt. Leraren moeten zich hieraan houden.

Neuroscience research on meditation has garnered growing attention in the last decade due to its association with improved quality of life and mental health outcomes. Chakra meditation is an ancient and popular practice in yogic traditions, yet it has received little attention in contemporary neuroscience. The present study used functional MRI to investigate Ajna (third eye) chakra meditation, a technique associated with intuition and expanded awareness. Two pilot scans were conducted on a Yogi with over 20 years of meditation experience. Based on the structure of the Ajna chakra meditation, we hypothesised that it would resemble the neural correlates of open-monitoring (OM) meditation more closely than other categories. Open-monitoring meditation involves an initial period of focused attention followed by open, non-reactive awareness. General linear model (GLM) analyses were conducted within a priori-defined anatomical regions of interest. Compared to a novel Yogic Resting State (YRS) baseline, Ajna meditation showed increased activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and reduced activity in the thalamus, partially supporting our predictions based on the neuroimaging findings of OM meditation. Unexpectedly, regions such as the insula and inferior frontal gyrus showed deactivation, suggesting possible unique qualities of chakra meditation. A post-scan interview provided valuable context on how environmental factors shaped the meditative experience for the Yogi. This study offers a first step toward understanding the neural basis of chakra meditation and highlights important experimental considerations for future research on the topic.