Latest news with #JournalofNeuroscience
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Find That Lucid Dreaming Is Actually A New State Of Consciousness
After analyzing many previous studies on lucid dreaming, researchers have defined it as a state that differs significantly from both REM sleep and wakefulness. The awareness of dreaming during a lucid dream is now thought to come from shifts in brain wave activity undergone by several parts of the brain, including the right central lobe, parietal lobe and precuneus. Lucid dreams were also found to have effects similar to psychedelics like LSD. Have you ever had a dream in which you realized you were dreaming? When you become conscious of the fact that you are dreaming, you can take advantage of that knowledge and manipulate the dream. If you want to do something that is physically impossible in the real world, such as flying, you can leap into the air and take flight. Someone who realizes they are trapped in a nightmare can convince themselves to wake up. The state known as lucid dreaming is an unquestionably surreal one, and it just got even more so. A team of researchers—led by Çağatay Demirel from the Donders Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging at Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands—has discovered that lucid dreaming has now been found to be a state of consciousness separate from both wakefulness and REM sleep (the state usually associated with dreams), and is in fact associated with its own unique type of brain activity. They published a study on their findings in the Journal of Neuroscience. 'This research opens the door to a deeper understanding of lucid dreaming as an intricate state of consciousness by pointing to the possibility that conscious experience can arise from within sleep itself,' Demirel said in a press release. To identify what sets lucid dreaming apart from the rest of sleep, he and his team pulled previous studies—in which brain activity was measured with EEG sensors—together into what is now the most extensive dataset in this field of sleep research. The researchers then compared brain activity patterns for wakefulness, REM sleep, and lucid dreaming to find that that the eerie self-awareness experienced in lucid dreams has a connection to the electrical rhythms in neurons known as brain waves. Perception and memory processing in the lucid dreaming state were found to be different from non-lucid REM sleep. The consciousness of existing in a dream was associated with with beta waves in the right temporal lobe (which controls spatial awareness and nonverbal memory) and parietal lobe (which controls the sense of touch and self-perception). Beta waves are a type of high-frequency electromagnetic activity in the brain involved in conscious thought processes like solving problems or making decisions. Our consciousness is dominated by beta waves when we are awake. This might explain why there is so much cognitive control in lucid dreams. Dreamers deep in REM sleep have no sense of control over factors like thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, but those in lucid dreaming states do. Demirel also linked gamma waves with lucid dreaming. These are the fastest brain waves, which become visible on an EEG at times when the brain is especially alert and focusing on something. When lucid dreaming begins, gamma waves increase in the right precuneus, which is involved in self-referential thinking—thoughts about ourselves and our lives. When we are awake, we often drift into this type of thinking when our minds wander. Maybe the most mind-bending thing about lucid dreams is that they are, according to the study, similar in the brain to the effects of psychedelic drugs such as LSD and ayahuasca. These types of psychedelic experiences are also associated with the precuneus, whose activity is modified when waking imagery is seen despite having closed eyes (something usually only experienced with psychedelics). Interestingly, however, lucid dreams may even go a few experiential steps past psychedelics. 'While psychedelics often lead to a dissolution of ego and decreased self-referential processing […] lucid dreams may actually harness elements of self-awareness and control,' Demirel and his team said in the study. So if you're capable of lucid dreaming, you're in for an awesome trip. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lucid Dreaming Is a New State of Consciousness, Scientists Find
After analyzing many previous studies on lucid dreaming, researchers have defined it as a state that differs significantly from both REM sleep and wakefulness. The awareness of dreaming during a lucid dream is now thought to come from shifts in brain wave activity undergone by several parts of the brain, including the right central lobe, parietal lobe and precuneus. Lucid dreams were also found to have effects similar to psychedelics like LSD. Have you ever had a dream in which you realized you were dreaming? When you become conscious of the fact that you are dreaming, you can take advantage of that knowledge and manipulate the dream. If you want to do something that is physically impossible in the real world, such as flying, you can leap into the air and take flight. Someone who realizes they are trapped in a nightmare can convince themselves to wake up. The state known as lucid dreaming is an unquestionably surreal one, and it just got even more so. A team of researchers—led by Çağatay Demirel from the Donders Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging at Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands—has discovered that lucid dreaming has now been found to be a state of consciousness separate from both wakefulness and REM sleep (the state usually associated with dreams), and is in fact associated with its own unique type of brain activity. They published a study on their findings in the Journal of Neuroscience. 'This research opens the door to a deeper understanding of lucid dreaming as an intricate state of consciousness by pointing to the possibility that conscious experience can arise from within sleep itself,' Demirel said in a press release. To identify what sets lucid dreaming apart from the rest of sleep, he and his team pulled previous studies—in which brain activity was measured with EEG sensors—together into what is now the most extensive dataset in this field of sleep research. The researchers then compared brain activity patterns for wakefulness, REM sleep, and lucid dreaming to find that that the eerie self-awareness experienced in lucid dreams has a connection to the electrical rhythms in neurons known as brain waves. Perception and memory processing in the lucid dreaming state were found to be different from non-lucid REM sleep. The consciousness of existing in a dream was associated with with beta waves in the right central lobe (which controls spatial awareness and nonverbal memory) and parietal lobe (which controls the sense of touch and spatial awareness). Beta waves are a type of high-frequency electromagnetic activity in the brain involved in conscious thought processes like solving problems or making decisions. Our consciousness is dominated by beta waves when we are awake. This might explain why there is so much cognitive control in lucid dreams. Dreamers deep in REM sleep have no sense of control over factors like thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, but those in lucid dreaming states do. Demirel also linked gamma waves with lucid dreaming. These are the fastest brain waves, which become visible on an EEG at times when the brain is especially alert and focusing on something. When lucid dreaming begins, gamma waves increase in the right precuneus, which is involved in self-referential thinking—thoughts about ourselves and our lives. When we are awake, we often drift into this type of thinking when our minds wander. Maybe the most mind-bending thing about lucid dreams is that they are, according to the study, similar in the brain to the effects of psychedelic drugs such as LSD and ayahuasca. These types of psychedelic experiences are also associated with the precuneus, whose activity is modified when waking imagery is seen despite having closed eyes (something usually only experienced with psychedelics). Interestingly, however, lucid dreams may even go a few experiential steps past psychedelics. 'While psychedelics often lead to a dissolution of ego and decreased self-referential processing […] lucid dreams may actually harness elements of self-awareness and control,' Demirel and his team said in the study. So if you're capable of lucid dreaming, you're in for an awesome trip. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lucid Dreaming Isn't Sleep or Wakefulness—It's a New State of Consciousness, Scientists Find
After analyzing many previous studies on lucid dreaming, researchers have defined it as a state that differs significantly from both REM sleep and wakefulness. The awareness of dreaming during a lucid dream is now thought to come from shifts in brain wave activity undergone by several parts of the brain, including the right central lobe, parietal lobe and precuneus. Lucid dreams were also found to have effects similar to psychedelics like LSD. Have you ever had a dream in which you realized you were dreaming? When you become conscious of the fact that you are dreaming, you can take advantage of that knowledge and manipulate the dream. If you want to do something that is physically impossible in the real world, such as flying, you can leap into the air and take flight. Someone who realizes they are trapped in a nightmare can convince themselves to wake up. The state known as lucid dreaming is an unquestionably surreal one, and it just got even more so. A team of researchers—led by Çağatay Demirel from the Donders Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging at Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands—has discovered that lucid dreaming has now been found to be a state of consciousness separate from both wakefulness and REM sleep (the state usually associated with dreams), and is in fact associated with its own unique type of brain activity. They published a study on their findings in the Journal of Neuroscience. 'This research opens the door to a deeper understanding of lucid dreaming as an intricate state of consciousness by pointing to the possibility that conscious experience can arise from within sleep itself,' Demirel said in a press release. To identify what sets lucid dreaming apart from the rest of sleep, he and his team pulled previous studies—in which brain activity was measured with EEG sensors—together into what is now the most extensive dataset in this field of sleep research. The researchers then compared brain activity patterns for wakefulness, REM sleep, and lucid dreaming to find that that the eerie self-awareness experienced in lucid dreams has a connection to the electrical rhythms in neurons known as brain waves. Perception and memory processing in the lucid dreaming state were found to be different from non-lucid REM sleep. The consciousness of existing in a dream was associated with with beta waves in the right central lobe (which controls spatial awareness and nonverbal memory) and parietal lobe (which controls the sense of touch and spatial awareness). Beta waves are a type of high-frequency electromagnetic activity in the brain involved in conscious thought processes like solving problems or making decisions. Our consciousness is dominated by beta waves when we are awake. This might explain why there is so much cognitive control in lucid dreams. Dreamers deep in REM sleep have no sense of control over factors like thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, but those in lucid dreaming states do. Demirel also linked gamma waves with lucid dreaming. These are the fastest brain waves, which become visible on an EEG at times when the brain is especially alert and focusing on something. When lucid dreaming begins, gamma waves increase in the right precuneus, which is involved in self-referential thinking—thoughts about ourselves and our lives. When we are awake, we often drift into this type of thinking when our minds wander. Maybe the most mind-bending thing about lucid dreams is that they are, according to the study, similar in the brain to the effects of psychedelic drugs such as LSD and ayahuasca. These types of psychedelic experiences are also associated with the precuneus, whose activity is modified when waking imagery is seen despite having closed eyes (something usually only experienced with psychedelics). Interestingly, however, lucid dreams may even go a few experiential steps past psychedelics. 'While psychedelics often lead to a dissolution of ego and decreased self-referential processing […] lucid dreams may actually harness elements of self-awareness and control,' Demirel and his team said in the study. So if you're capable of lucid dreaming, you're in for an awesome trip. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Arab News
25-03-2025
- Health
- Arab News
The science behind Ramadan fasting and how it affects the body
RIYADH: During the holy month of Ramadan, about 2 billion Muslims around the world test the limits of their physical and mental strength. But while most are aware of the religious benefits of fasting from dawn to dusk throughout the month, the effects on the body and mind might be less well understood. Fasting is defined as a physiological state in which a person abstains from consuming calories for a specific period of time, leading to changes in metabolism and bodily functions. Types of fasting vary, including therapeutic fasting, intermittent fasting and religious fasting, each with its own distinct physiological effects. Mohammed Mahroos, a consultant and clinical research scientist at the King Fahad Specialist Hospital Research Center, explained what happens to the body when a person fasts for 30 days. 'Fasting provides a rest period for the digestive system, allowing the body to focus on cell repair and detoxification,' he told Arab News. It results in lower insulin and glucose levels, which promote the burning rather than storage of fat. When glycogen, the stored form of glucose, is depleted the body relies on fat as its primary source of energy, a process called ketosis. From a medical perspective, fasting is used in some cases to treat obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic disorders. A study published by the New England Journal of Medicine in 2019 concluded that intermittent fasting boosts the metabolism and reduces insulin resistance, making it an effective was to prevent type 2 diabetes. 'When a balanced diet follows, fasting enhances metabolic efficiency,' Mahroos said. 'Its benefits are only realized if the diet is controlled … after the fasting period.' Consumption of unhealthy foods when breaking the fast, such as processed sugars, hydrogenated fats and fast food, can reduce the benefits and lead to health problems, he added. Fasting also enhances autophagy, a cellular process that contributes to cell regeneration and the development of a healthier immune system, as demonstrated by the research of Japanese biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi, winner of the 2016 Nobel Price in Physiology or Medicine. Islamic religious fasting, during which a person abstains from all food or drink from sunrise to sunset, is characterized by its spiritual and psychological depth, Mahroos said. The practice 'promotes self-discipline and strengthens willpower … it contributes to increased mental clarity, it addition to its health benefits.' But how does the response of the body differ when fasting for 30 consecutive days compared with short-term fasts? During a single day of fasting, Mahroos said, the body begins to use stored glycogen for energy. Insulin levels decrease, facilitating fat burning, and the secretion of growth hormones increases, which contributes to tissue repair and improved metabolism. Changes in blood sugar levels might result in feelings of fatigue and hunger. A study published by the Journal of Neuroscience in 2021 found that short-term fasting induces the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which can improve cognitive strength and reduce the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer's. Intermittent fasting reduces harmful cholesterol levels and improves blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease, Mahroos added. When a person fasts for 30 days, however, 'the body enters a long-term adaptation phase, enhancing metabolic efficiency,' Mahroos said. Insulin sensitivity improves, reducing the risk of diabetes. Chronic inflammation levels decrease, contributing to improved heart and immune-system health. And autophagy is stimulated, helping to eliminate damaged cells and improve tissue health. According to a study published by the journal Cell Stem Cell in 2014, fasting can play a major role in supporting the immune system, as it enhances the production of white blood cells and increases the body's resistance to disease. Gradual weight loss can also occur if a balanced diet is followed after breaking the fast at iftar. As for the mental and spiritual aspects of fasting, there is a range of potential benefits. Psychologically, it can help develop an improved ability to control habits and behaviors, reduce stress and anxiety as a result of reduced secretion of the 'stress hormone' cortisol, and provide a sense of accomplishment and self-control. Spiritually, fasting supports a process of self-reflection and mental clarity, promotes a sense of gratitude and appreciation, strengthens patience, and offers an opportunity to reevaluate and improve personal habits. But fasting can be harmful in certain situations. When the body is not replenished with essential fluids and nutrients, it can lead to dehydration and vitamin deficiency, Mahroos said. Overeating and consumption of unhealthy foods when breaking the fast can result in weight gain and metabolic disorders, he added. 'Fasting is a complex physiological process that positively impacts physical, psychological and spiritual health,' he said. 'However, achieving its benefits depends on following a healthy diet after fasting. Poor eating habits may reverse these benefits or cause unwanted side effects.' In addition, people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should consult a doctor before fasting, Mahroos advised.
