The Neuroscience of Mystical Experiences Illusion or Insight?

What Happens in the Brain During a Mystical Experience?

From mountaintop revelations to silent moments of unity in meditation, mystical experiences have long been described across cultures as transcendent encounters with something greater than the self. Often called “peak experiences,” they can involve sensations of timelessness, ego dissolution, and a profound sense of connection to all that exists. But what’s happening in the brain when these extraordinary states unfold? And do they reveal a deeper truth—or are they merely neural tricks?

Thanks to advances in neuroscience, we can now peer into the brain during these moments of awe. And the findings are both humbling and provocative.

The Brain in Mystical Mode: What the Scans Show

Functional MRI (fMRI) and EEG studies have explored the brains of monks, mystics, and meditators to better understand altered states of consciousness. Here’s what stands out:

Decreased Activity in the Default Mode Network (DMN): This network is associated with self-referential thinking—the internal monologue that keeps track of our ego and identity. During mystical experiences, the DMN goes quiet. This aligns with reports of “losing the self” and merging with the universe.
Increased Connectivity Across Brain Regions: Mystical states are often marked by a surge in cross-brain communication. Normally compartmentalized parts of the brain start to work together in unusual ways, creating new associations and emotional depth.
Heightened Activity in Emotional and Sensory Centers: Areas like the amygdala (linked to emotion) and the insula (linked to bodily awareness) light up, helping explain why mystical experiences feel so visceral and real.

Drugs, Meditation, and the Mystical

Interestingly, many of the same neural patterns show up in people under the influence of psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, or DMT. In fact, Johns Hopkins researchers have found that psilocybin can reliably produce mystical-type experiences—and these are often rated among the most meaningful moments of a person’s life.

Likewise, long-term meditators can enter similar states without drugs. Whether through breathwork, silence, prayer, or chant, contemplative practices train the brain to quiet the ego and enhance states of interconnection.

Illusion or Insight? The Philosophical Dilemma

So here’s the big question: if these experiences can be induced by manipulating the brain, are they real?

Some scientists argue that mystical experiences are illusions—beautiful artifacts of a brain doing what it does best: weaving patterns, filtering reality, and creating meaning. But others take a different stance. They suggest that consciousness itself might be broader than our default waking state allows, and that these experiences represent a window into a deeper layer of reality.

Just because something is generated in the brain doesn’t mean it’s false. Vision, love, and memory all arise from neural processes, but we don’t dismiss them as illusions.

Bridging Science and Spirit

Rather than forcing a binary choice between illusion and insight, perhaps the answer lies in integration. Neuroscience helps us understand the mechanics behind mystical experiences, but the meaning we draw from them belongs to philosophy, psychology, and the sacred.

Many report lasting positive effects—more compassion, less fear of death, a renewed sense of purpose. Whether these come from neurons or the divine may matter less than the fact that they promote healing and unity.

In a world marked by division and disconnection, exploring mystical experience could be more than a curiosity—it could be a path to wholeness.

Conclusion: Mystery at the Frontier of Mind

The neuroscience of mystical experience invites us into an exciting frontier where the lines between science, spirituality, and psychology blur. As our understanding deepens, so too does our sense of mystery. Perhaps that’s the real gift of these encounters—not that they offer easy answers, but that they awaken a deep and enduring question:

What is the true nature of consciousness—and what might it become?