Another eeg study (Hagerty et al, 2008) looked at an expert meditator who was able to enter into the eight jhanas. Relative to a resting state, differences were found in seven different brain regions. Power increased in the theta (4-6 Hz) and alpha1 (6-8 Hz) in brain regions suggesting that speech was becoming dormant, external awareness dimming, and the sense of personal boundaries altering. In brain regions associated with goal attainment, alpha1 increased, but theta did not. A prediction was mostly confirmed for higher power in the beta (12.5 to 25 Hz) and gamma (25 to 42 Hz) bands in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which regulates and monitors attention.
Hagerty, M.R., Issacs, J., Brasingon, L., Shupe, L., Fetz, E.E. (2008). Eeg power and coherence analysis of an expert meditator in the eight jhanas. Working paper.
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