Sebastian Ehmann

My research program encompasses two primary domains of investigation: 

1. the study of advanced meditation and meditative development and 
2. the transdiagnostic exploration of aberrant self-processing from a clinical consciousness perspective. 

Leveraging a multimethod multimodal (fMRI, EEG) approach and using transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS), psychedelic compounds, and meditative interventions, this research investigates spatiotemporal neural dynamics and phenomenological correlates in both clinical populations and advanced meditators.  Through this work, I aim to gain insight into the clinical benefits, the neurocognitive mechanisms, and ontological implications underlying deep self-transformation and self-transcendence.

Research Interests:

• Clinical-Consciousness Research
• 4E Cognition: Enactive Cognition and Phenomenology
• Aberrant Self-Processing and Self-Transcendence
• Advanced Meditation and Meditative Development
• Psychedelics

Selected Publications:

• Ehmann, S., Sezer, I., Treves, I. N., Gabrieli, J., & Sacchet, M. D. (2024, October 28). Mindfulness, cognition, and long-term meditators: Toward a science of advanced meditation. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/dnvh5 
• Treves, I. N., Pichappan, K., Hammoud, J., Bauer, C. C. C., Ehmann, S., Sacchet, M. D., & Gabrieli, J. D. E. (2024). The Mindful Brain: A Systematic Review of the Neural Correlates of Trait Mindfulness. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 1–38. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_02230
• Ehmann, S. (2024). Unveiling the pathways: The effects of mindfulness and recreational psychedelic experiences on well-being; The mediating roles of non-dual awareness, pro-sociality, and meaning in life [Master's thesis, West Chester University]. Digital Commons. https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/all_theses/316

Selected Presentations:

• Ehmann, S. & Gawrysiak, M. (2024, July). Unveiling the pathways: The effects of mindfulness and recreational psychedelic experiences on meaning in life, pro-sociality, well-being, and non-dual awareness. [Poster presentation]. The Annual Conference for the International Society for Contemplative Research (ISCR), Padova, Italy.
• Brickus, B., Ehmann, S., Yoong, M., & Gawrysiak, M. (2023, November). Racial trauma: the association between discrimination and posttraumatic stress [Poster presentation]. The Annual Conference of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Seattle, WA.

• Ehmann, S., Tahmaseb McConatha, J. (2023, May). Loneliness, isolation, and technology use among older adults: how much use is too much? [Poster presentation]. The Annual Conference of the Association for Psychological Science (APS), Washington, D.C.

Courses Taught:

Teaching Assistant for:

• PSY 230 - Introduction to Statistics (2024)

*Year listed indicates when this individual last taught the specified course.

Updated: 11/13/24