Meditators display constant gamma waves

[Magical Realist]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10J6crRa...7LLwDigi5o

[Yazata]

I'm just a layman on this, so take my comments for what they are worth.

There's lots of very speculative stuff out there about gamma brain waves and their role in consciousness.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_wave

Here's an item from MIT that presents an interesting idea:

http://news.mit.edu/2018/new-study-revea...emory-0126

The authors contrast gamma brain waves with slower beta brain waves. The two kinds of waves seem inversely related, more of one kind, less of the other. They hypothesize is that the beta waves work like switches, controlling what does and doesn't enter into working memory and perhaps as a 'delete' function clearing material after it isn't needed. In other words, the beta waves represent active control of working memory. Gamma waves might in turn be associated with the content of working memory (and hypothetically of conscious awareness).

So increased gamma waves in meditators might indicate less activity associated with controlling thought and increased awareness. That kind of goes against the stereotype of meditators battling their monkey-minds, which might suggest increased control, but it is consistent with the mind not always jumping around producing a torrent of new ideas. Maybe a more Zen style of meditation.

Or something... I get the feeling that trying to understand the functioning of the brain (let alone the mind!) through brain waves is like trying to understand how a radio works by listening to static.