Greater synchrony of brain functioning

Synchrony of electroencephalographic (EEG) activity reflects integrated functioning of large groups of neurons. EEG studies have found that during the practice of the Transcendental Meditation^® technique, EEG activity is highly synchronized over almost all cortical areas; this synchrony was measured at all the categories of EEG frequencies associated with wakeful awareness (theta, alpha, and beta).

At alpha frequencies (8–14 cycles per second) a stable alpha rhythm often spreads to the whole cortical surface; at theta frequencies (4–7 cps) occasional hypersynchronous theta bursts are found over all cortical areas, as well as rhythmic theta trains; and at beta frequencies (15–50 cps) generalized fast frequencies occur with a dominant beta rhythm of about 20 cps, as well as smaller amplitude at 40 cps (32,33). Synchronous EEG activity at all these frequencies and cortical areas reflects a global integration of brain functioning.

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References for this Page

(32) Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology 35: 143–151, 1973.
(33) Revue d’Electroencephalographie et de Neurophysiologie Clinique 4: 445–453, 1974.