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Introduction:

Neural-underpinngs associated with experience of subjective sleep quality is highly intriguing. Experiencing sleep quality like any other cognitive ability is a complex construct that is dependent on perception, awareness and recall of sleep phenomenology. Though there are studies attempting to correlate subjective sleep quality with macro (NREM and REM sleep duration) and micro sleep architecture (sleep spindles, sleep stage transition etc) there are no consensus on what actually determines the subjective sleep quality. Probably, different sleep stages, based on their differing neurophysiological mechanism, could contribute to this phenomenological experience of having a refreshing sleep. However, primarily, restoring or increasing N3 sleep state is a therapeutic target in the management of insomnia and is associated with the subjective sense of having a refreshed sleep. Therefore, a stable N3 sleep state plays a pivotal role in experiencing sleep quality. However, given the fact that when higher cortical processing is immune to any signals during deeper sleep states, how do the percept of ‘embodied self’ get encoded and the experience of having a quality sleep emerges? The probable mechanism involved in this first-person experience of sleep quality and the effect of meditation on sleep architecture will be discussed in the presentation. The implications of this on exploring consciousness will be discussed.

Call for Participation:

We extend a warm invitation to researchers, scholars, students, and enthusiasts to participate in this enlightening exploration. We welcome not only theoretical contributions but also empirical research that advances our comprehension of consciousness.

Additionally, for this special session, we invite individuals to nominate their students, postdoctoral researchers, or trusted colleagues to share their work. Your contributions will spark fresh insights, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and propel the study of consciousness into new horizons.

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Contact:

Dr. PN Ravindra (ravindrapinna@gmail.com)