title: Tongue piercing by a Yogi: QEEG observations.
abstract: : This study reports on the QEEG observations recorded from a yogi during tongue piercing in which he demonstrated voluntary pain control. The QEEG was recorded with a Lexicor 1620 from 19 sites with appropriate controls for impedence and artifacts. A neurologist read the data for abnormalities and the QEEG was analyzed by mapping, single and multiple hertz bins, coherence, and statistical comparisons with a normative database. The session included a meditation baseline and tongue piercing. During the meditative baseline period the yogi's QEEG maps suggesting that he was able to lower his brain activity to a resting state. This state showed a predominance of slow wave potentials (delta) during piercing and suggested that the yogi induced a state that may be similar to those found when individuals are under analgesia. Further research should be conducted with a group of individuals who demonstrate exceptional self-regulation to determine the underlying mechanisms, and whether the skills can be used to teach others how to manage pain.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Holistic Healing Studies, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, 94132 CA, USA. epeper@sfsu.edu
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peper
authors.forename: Vietta E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gunkelman
authors.forename: Mitsumasa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawakami
authors.forename: Misa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sata
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D001611:Beta Rhythm; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003700:Delta Rhythm; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D013826:Theta Rhythm; D014059:Tongue / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D015013:Yoga / Q000523:psychology*