Motivated by growing interest in the uniqueness of the individual human brain, we recently undertook an experimental search for the emergence of a singular brain state corresponding to psychological “flow”.
Based on these seemingly antagonistic functions, we set out to experimentally test whether the flow state might emerge from a transient hypofrontality 15, 16 that renders the implicit system free from explicit interference.
We further aimed to investigate the complex dialogue between the explicit system of the frontal and medio-temporal lobe involved in off-line cognition, including on-line top–down regulation of attention, and the implicit system, fast and intuitive based on the cortico-basal ganglia loop, promoting skill-based knowledge efficacy 3, 4. The sensation of flow would emerge in a particular physiological state where (1) an appropriate central resting state, including memorized items and motivation is present, (2) the initial intention must be translated by the descending motor commands to the muscles in order to generate forces and displacements, and (3) the ascending somesthetic signals must produce ideal feedback sensations closing the loop between action and sensation 3. As this sensation goes along with or follows movement, a functional tradeoff between external and internal force must be continuously controlled. This notion is supported by the idea that some brain functions necessitate an efficient network of connections and once such coordinated complexity is attained, the emergent properties of consciousness happen, producing the flow sensation. We hypothesized that flow identity may be an emergent conscious experience involving specific recruitment among the neural network of the NCC.
The NCC was initially defined by Crick and Koch 12 in 1990 as the minimal neuronal mechanisms jointly sufficient for any specific conscious experience, and the full NCC is considered the union of all content-specific NCCs 13, 14. Psychological “flow” may also be considered a specific state of consciousness requiring involvement of the cortical areas participating in the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC). It is a unique sensation, accompanied by a transformation of time, which most commonly occurs in persons engaged in high-skill motor practices, such as champion athletes 6, 7 and musicians 8, 9, 10, 11. It is generally accepted that this exceptional state emerges from a clear goal that requires action, and a perfect match between specific skills and challenges 3, 4, 5. Over 40 years ago, Csikszentmihalyi 1 first introduced the concept of psychological “flow”, defined as a singular mental state accompanying exceptional performance, which was later popularized as being “in the zone” 2. Applying swLORETA on the motor command represented by the tibialis anterior EMG burst identified the ipsilateral cerebellum and contralateral sensorimotor cortex in association with on-line control exerted during both “flow” and “stress”, while the basal ganglia was identified only during “flow”. These results support that “flow” emergence required transient hypo-frontality. Comparison of “stress” versus “flow” identified the middle temporal gyrus (BA39) as the delta generator, and the medial frontal gyrus (BA10) as the alpha and beta generator. Applying swLORETA based on self-reported mental states revealed the right superior temporal gyrus (BA38), right globus pallidus, and putamen as generators of delta, alpha, and beta oscillations, respectively, when comparing “flow” versus “stress”.
Using high-density electroencephalographic (EEG) recording, we quantified the neural generators characterizing psychological “flow” compared to a mindful “stress” state during a professional tightrope performance. Psychological “flow” emerges from a goal requiring action, and a match between skills and challenge.