Despite the increasing popularity of mindfulness meditation and hypnosis in healthcare and in the general community the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are unclear. The change in the relationship between the self and the conscious experience that they bring about may be crucial. This study aims to identify the neural correlates of self-consciousness in meta-awareness and absorption - using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) in healthy participants combined with detailed first-person experiential accounts and behavioural tasks. This study will provide important clues about the widely reported effects of mindfulness meditation and hypnosis and shed light on the neural correlates of the conscious experience of self.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged 18-70
• Body mass index between 18.5 and 30
• Covered by health insurance
• motivated to participate
• signed informed consent
• normal or corrected-to-normal eyesight
• sufficient command of French to be able to follow the instructions

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of neurological or psychiatric conditions
• chronic pain or another medical condition altering pain perception
• use of medication that affects the central nervous system
• use of opioids or antidepressant medication
• severe auditory loss
• consumption of alcohol or intoxicants on the day of the experiments and the day preceding the experiments
• pregnancy, breastfeeding or having given birth <6months ago
• any contra-indication to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (metal implants or foreign bodies), agitation, claustrophobia