meditative absorption
There is increasing popularity in a type of mindfulness practice that emphasizes concentration, called meditative absorption or jhana in ancient Pali language. This involves progressive withdrawal from external stimuli inputs while focusing on an internal object such as the breath. The techniques are challenging and require extended periods of time in meditation which is best supported on long-term meditation retreats. The result is extraordinary states of consciousness involving pervading joy, internal peace and a deep calm. In the process of developing these deeply concentrated states, the mind produces a mental object called the nimitta which is perceived as a bright light shone in one's eyes while they are closed. Sometimes it is blindingly bright (without any perceivable damage or adverse effects). As a neuroscientist who specializes in vision, do you have any knowledge of this or thoughts on how it occurs mechanistically. The only study I could find on this is a case report of a differential fMRI study of a subject in meditative absorption: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/np/2013/653572/. Thank you.
BDNF and neurogenesis that comes from fasting
I've listened to your podcasts on fasting and I was wondering if you could talk about the BDNF-growth factor in your brain that is stimulated from fasting in a 20hr window and eating in a 4hr window or other benefits that come from fasting besides what you have already touched on!! Thanks!
Trauma and Addiction– A conversation with Dr. Gabor Mate´
Would you be willing to speak with Dr. Gabor Mate´ on a deep dive into his work on trauma and addiction? Especially curious of protocols specifically pertaining to healing PTSD. I have utilized a number of tools discovered here to improve overall health and wellbeing to great effect i.e. Sleep, Light, Cold exposure, supplementation etc... Thank you!