title: A case series study of the neurophysiological effects of altered states of mind during intense Islamic prayer.
abstract: This paper presents a case series with preliminary data regarding the neurophysiological effects of specific prayer practices associated with the Islamic religion. Such practices, like other prayer practices, are likely associated with several coordinated cognitive activities and a complex pattern of brain physiology. However, there may also be changes specific to the goals of Islamic prayer which has, as its most fundamental concept, the surrendering of one's self to God. To evaluate Islamic prayer practices, we measured changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in three Islamic individuals while practicing two different types of Islamic prayer. In this case series, intense Islamic prayer practices generally showed decreased CBF in the prefrontal cortex and related frontal lobe structures, and the parietal lobes. However, there were also several regions that differed between the two types of prayer practices including increased CBF in the caudate nucleus, insula, thalamus, and globus pallidus. These patterns also appear distinct from concentrative techniques in which an individual focuses on a particular idea or object. It is hypothesized that the changes in brain activity may be associated with feelings of "surrender" and "connectedness with God" described to be experienced during these intense Islamic prayer practices. Overall, these results suggest that several coordinated cognitive processes occur during intense Islamic prayer. Methodological issues and implications of the results are also discussed.
authors: Thomas Jefferson University, Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine, 925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States. Electronic address: andrew.newberg@jefferson.edu.
authors: Andrew B
authors: AB
authors: Newberg
authors: Thomas Jefferson University, Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine, 925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States. Electronic address: nancy.wintering@jefferson.edu.
authors: Nancy A
authors: NA
authors: Wintering
authors: University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychology, Positive Psychology Center, 3701 Market Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia PA 19104, United States. Electronic address: dyaden@sas.upenn.edu.
authors: David B
authors: DB
authors: Yaden
authors: Loyola Marymount University College of Business, 1605 Lookout Drive, Agoura, CA 91301, United States. Electronic address: Markwaldman3@gmail.com.
authors: Mark R
authors: MR
authors: Waldman
authors: University of Pennsylvania, HUP Radiology/NucMed, 110 Donner Bldg, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States. Electronic address: reddin@mail.med.upenn.edu.
authors: Janet
authors: J
authors: Reddin
authors: Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, United States. Electronic address: Abass.alavi@uphs.upenn.edu.
authors: Abass
authors: A
authors: Alavi
mesh_terms: D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D009482:Neurophysiology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000098:blood supply; D012067:Religion; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
keywords: Brain; Cerebral blood flow; Islam; Meditation; Prayer; SPECT imaging