L08 - Meditation, Arousal, & Consciousness

Question 1

refers to the state of being awake and aware of one’s surroundings

level of awareness can change depending upon the context

Answer 1

consciousness

Question 2

a state of consciousness differs from our waking state, it is called ____

Answer 2

altered state

Question 3

how can we tell states apart?

Answer 3

differences in cardiovascular function exist in different states of consciousness

Question 4

objective measures

Answer 4

neural correlates (e. fMRI)

behavioral and physiological correlates measured by third party (response to stimuli, HR and respiration)

Question 5

subjective measures

Answer 5

self-reported phenomenological correlates

Altered state of consciousness scale (SD-ASC)
Gray near death experience scale (Gray NDE)

Question 6

meditation involves assuming specific _____________

Answer 6

breathing patterns and body posture

Question 7

Meditation also differs from sleep and relaxation in that it often involves _____

Answer 7

focus

Question 8

Factor specific to meditation

Answer 8

focus of attention

non-judgmental acceptance (mindfulness)

enlightenment, inner calm (transcendental)

changing personal relationships (loving-kindness)

Question 9

Fixed Attention meditation

Answer 9

involves focusing on an object for extended periods

Question 10

Open Monitoring/Awareness (OM) meditation

Answer 10

does not require a specific focus on an object. the person remains in a receptive state wherein they monitor whatever incoming thoughts arise

Question 11

Meditation affects the _____ and its target organs, including the lungs, & heart

Answer 11

autonomic nervous system

Question 12

Components of ANS

Answer 12

SNS and PNS

Question 13

higher-level structures in this model are all targeted by meditation (PFR, CC, Amygdala, & Insula)

Meditation might affect HR for the same reason it might affect stress reactivity

connection between heart and brain

Answer 13

neurovisceral

Question 14

Respiration and Meditation

Answer 14

meditation styles come with guidelines for breathing rate

respiration is required to oxygenate our body

long term meditators have lower breathing rates

Question 15

Heart Rate is measured by

Answer 15

ECG - electrocardiogram

long term meditators have lower HR

Question 16

meditation might be useful in managing _______ and in treating ___________

cardiovascular related

Answer 16

cardiovascular health; cardiovascular disease

Question 17

the change in the time interval between consecutive heart beats

Answer 17

heart rate variability

Question 18

importance of HRV

Answer 18

survival advantage as it allows the CV system to adapt to different challenges

may predict pathology, particularly for mood disorders and cardiac disorders

Question 19

HRV data

rest vs tilt

Answer 19

at rest: HR is slow, R-R intervals are larger

at tilt: HR is faster, R-R intervals are smaller

Question 20

HRV: Frequency domain analysis

Answer 20

at rest: more high waves than low waves

at tilt/stress: more low waves than high waves

Question 21

High frequency HRV is correlated with ____

Answer 21

PySNS activation

Question 22

Low frequency HRV is more ambiguous and may represent ________

Answer 22

PNS and SNS activation

Question 23

Pressure of blood against arterial vessels in systemic circulation

Answer 23

blood pressure

Question 24

BP is ____ during meditation; long term meditation may persistently _____ BP

Answer 24

lower; reduce

Question 25

meditative focused associated with ____ and _____ | HF-HRV/LF-HRV HR

Answer 25

lower HF-HRV and higher HR

Question 26

EEG

Answer 26

measures electrical activity in specific brain regions regions measured determined by electrodes high temporal resolution

Question 27

EEG measures ____ over time variation in voltage over time gives us ________

Answer 27

potential difference frequency

Question 28

EEG frequency corresponds to the number of cycles per unit time | effect on consciousness

Answer 28

different states of consciousness have different frequency patterns

Question 29

in meditation, ______ goes up in most areas

Answer 29

alpha power

Question 30

some reports of meditation and psychedelics _____________

Answer 30

working together to improve well-being

Question 31

defocused meditation associated with ______ | HR

Answer 31

lower HR