Manuel González-Oscoy*, Ortiz L., Signoret A., del Cueto R., Lara M.
•    *Psychology Department U.N.A.M.
•    Tlamalizcalli Neuroscience and Human Development Association
mgo@servidor.unam.mx

EEG gamma frequencies (30hz or more) are linked to cognitive operations, such as paying attention to sensory stimuli or in working memory. Gamma frequency has also been considered the frequency prior to conscious experience. According to Crick (2000) [1], a gamma oscillation could be a neural correlate to visual consciousness. Moreover, the absence of a gamma oscillation is taken as a marker of the intensity of anesthesia and predicts the brain’s transition from a conscious to an unconscious state.

A subject’s electroencephalographic (EEG) activity (24 derivations, 10-20 International system) was recorded during baseline and meditation. This subject was a 52 year-old man , with prior experience in meditation. Faint discharge patterns of gamma oscillation could be observed during the base readings, increasing in amplitude and frequency during the subject’s meditative state. Moreover, readings showed the appearance and diffusion of gamma oscillations from the prefrontal area of the left hemisphere only. The subjective report of the experience was that during meditation the subject internally reproduces a sound while evoking feelings of love and wellbeing towards others, perceiving in some instances higher body temperature.
When “gamma” meditation is prolonged, dehydration (thirst) and a feeling of tiredness (energy use) ensue.

Trains of hipersynchrony were also observed, which seem to indicate a high spontaneous interhemispheric correlation. According to the syntergetics theory and the relationship indicated by J. Grinberg (1992), a high interhemispheric correlation corresponds to a subjective state of intra and extrapersonally unified consciousness.
In accordance with the syntergetics theory and J. Grinberg’s methodology of transferred potential (1993) [2], upon interaction with a 24 year-old subject, when the first subject entered a meditative state the second subject showed patterns of high interhemispheric correlation, mainly in T5, T6, O1 and O2 and the temporo-parieto-occipital region.
These results will be analyzed in future papers.

DISCUSSION AND PROPOSALS
The possibility of determining, at will, the appearance of gamma frequencies as a neuro correlate of consciousness allows for the possibility of controlling alternate states of consciousness without the use of medication, biofeedback tools or techniques requiring extensive learning.
This supports past experiments regarding the beneficial influence of meditation in different organic (central nervous system, immunological and endocrine systems) anemic and psychosomatic aspects.

The appearance of gamma frequencies exclusively in the left hemisphere corroborates the findings of Richard Davidson and Francisco Varela, regarding a probable anatomical correlation corresponding to feelings of coherent emotion and happiness.

[1] Crick F. The Scientific Search for the Soul, Debate, Spain, 2000.
[2] Grinberg J. et al.Electrophysiology of Human Communication. The Transferred Potential. Revista Mexicana de Psicología, vol. 10 number. 2, Dec. 1993.
Cited by. Goleman,(2003),  Destructive Emotions, Ed. B; M. Richard, (2005) In Defense of Happiness Urano.