Larry Stevens

Binaural-Beat Induced Theta EEG Activity and Hypnotic Susceptibility

Abstract Six participants varying in degree of hypnotizability (2 lows, 2 mediums, and 2 highs) were exposed to 3 20-minute sessions of a binaural-beat sound stimulation protocol designed to enhance theta brainwave activity. The Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C (SHSS:C) was used for pre- and post-stimulus measures of hypnotic susceptibility. A time-series analysis was utilized to evaluate anterior theta activity in response to binaural-beat sound stimulation over baseline and stimulus sessions. The protocol designed to increase anterior theta activity resulted in a significant increase in percent theta for 5 of 6 participants. Hypnotic susceptibility levels remained stable in the high-susceptible group and increased significantly in the low and medium-susceptible groups.

EEG manifestations of nondual experiences in meditators

The holistic experiential benefits of meditation among a widely ranging population have been well established within the empirical literature. What remain less clear are the underlying mechanisms of the meditative process. A large impediment to this clarity is attributable to the lack of a unified and comprehensive taxonomy, as well as to the absence of clear differentiation within the literature between method of practice and resulting state. The present study discusses and then attempts to identify within our sample a theoretically universal culminating meditative state known as Nondual Awareness, which is differentiated from the method or practice state. Participants completed an in-lab meditation, during which neurological patterns were analyzed using electroencephalography (EEG). Analyses indicated significantly higher EEG power among slower wave frequencies (delta, theta, alpha) during the reported nondual events. These events appear neurologically distinct from meditation sessions as a whole, which interestingly demonstrated significant elevation within the gamma range.

Electrophysiological Alterations during Hypnosis for Ego-Enhancement: A Preliminary Investigation

Abstract EEG activity at the midfrontal (Fz) region was recorded during pre- and postbaselines, live hypnotic induction, arm levitation and progressive relaxation (PNR) deepening, and therapeutic ego-enhancing suggestions among 60 college student volunteers, previously screened with the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C. Comparisons across conditions for delta, theta, alpha, and beta activity were made between low, moderate, high, and very high hypnotizable groups. Results indicated (a) significant increases in theta EEGs across the hypnosis process with a peak at PNR and a drop in theta thereafter to termination, with highs showing significantly more dramatic effects than moderates; (b) a similar inverted U-shaped pattern for beta EEGs across hypnosis conditions, with very highs significantly higher in beta power than moderates and lows, and with highs significantly higher than moderates; (c) general profile differences between the highs for theta and the highs and very highs for beta in comparison to the moderates and lows, with peak theta and beta power occurring during ego-enhancing suggestions for more highly hypnotizable participants; (d) a drop in alpha EEGs across the trance process with a return to baseline after hypnosis, with moderates showing significantly lower alpha power; and (e) an increase in delta power across conditions to PNR and then a decrease to post-hypnosis baseline, with moderates significantly lower than highs.

Electroencephalography Coherence, Memory Vividness, and Emotional Valence Effects of Bilateral Eye Movements During Unpleasant Memory Recall and Subsequent Free Association: Implications for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

This study examined the effects of bilateral stimulation during unpleasant memory recall followed by free association, similar to Phase 4 of EMDR therapy. Forty-six female nonpatients were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: bilateral eye movements (BEMs), eye fixation with background movements (BDM), or eye fixation (Dot) control, each while recalling a moderately unpleasant memory and each followed by free association to the memory. Electroencephalography recordings were conducted on these participants during the 1-minute free association of the original memory after each of five administrations of the conditions. Results revealed only trend increases in Beta interhemispheric coherence following BEMs. However, statistically significant increases in Right Frontal Theta and Beta intrahemispheric coherences were found following BEMs, with similar trend increases for Left Frontal Theta and Beta and for Right Frontal Gamma. Cortical electrode maps are presented for these Beta coherence effects. Ratings of imagery vividness and emotional valence were collected after each set of eye movements plus free associations and showed a significant decrease across all conditions. Results are discussed within the context of a proposed integrated 2-stage cortical coherence model. Suggestions are made for future research, including investigation of possible implications for treatment of traumatic brain injury.

What Is This Feeling That I Have for Myself and for Others? Contemporary Perspectives on Empathy, Compassion, and Self-Compassion, and Their Absence

Abstract We begin our adventures into the neuroscience of empathy, compassion, and self-compassion with origins and definitions of these critical social constructs. We explore the numerous variations and nuances for our understanding of each of these terms including conceptualizations from the most prominent researchers in the field. We then launch into a polemical dialogue between the authors not only to dive to greater depths into the underlying permutations of each of these terms but also to endeavor to engage the reader in the excitement that a refinement of these concepts brings to the research community and to stimulate creative thinking, further dialogue, and, hopefully, more research into the neuroscience of empathy, compassion, and self-compassion.

The Brain that Longs to Care for Others: The Current Neuroscience of Compassion

Abstract The practice and teaching of compassion have an extensive history reaching back literally thousands of years. Compassion is most commonly defined as a sensitivity to the suffering of another and a desire to alleviate that suffering. We review here the current neuroscience of compassion and conceptualize this critical human virtue as hierarchically and temporally organized by affective, motivational-intentional, self-other differentiated, and higher order regulatory components. We further present an integrated theory for the neuroscience of compassion and review supportive research. Directions for future investigations into the neuroscience of compassion are also offered.

Where Caring for Self and Others Lives in the Brain, and How It Can Be Enhanced and Diminished: Observations on the Neuroscience of Empathy, Compassion, and Self-Compassion

Abstract In this, the final chapter of our book, we provide reviews of each chapter, summarizing the main points and presenting our (Woodruff’s and Stevens’) own comments where appropriate. We pull together implications of a number of these chapters into an integrated neurological portrait of compassionate experiencing. Next, we present a new model of the empathy-to-compassion process, which conceives of the process as a modulation of egocentric and allocentric representations as the observer comes to understand the other and to ultimately focus attention on the other’s well-being. We conclude by noting some pressing issues needing to be addressed by future research into the neuroscience of empathy, compassion, and self-compassion.