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Anti-Phase Theta-Gamma Coupling: A Neurodynamic Hypothesis Derived from a Dynamic Self-Model

Poster Session D - Monday, March 9, 2026, 8:00 – 10:00 am PDT, Fairview/Kitsilano Ballroom

Wenge Huang¹ (); ¹Independent Researcher

The nature of the self remains a central enigma in philosophy and a key frontier in science. This paper develops a novel “Dynamic Self-Model”—the self is an illusion emerging from the rapid alternation between “awareness” (A) and “awareness-of-awareness” (AoA)—inspired by phenomenological insights from Buddhist meditation. As a core component, we define AoA—which cannot be detected under ordinary conditions—as a spontaneous process distinct from effortful “meta-cognition” and attentional “meta-awareness”, thereby advancing it as a prime candidate for the Higher-Order Representation. Among the many possible neural bases for this conceptual model, we propose a parsimonious, falsifiable neurodynamic hypothesis as one promising candidate mechanism: an “anti-phase” theta-gamma coupling, where sensory gamma activity (A) and prefrontal gamma activity (AoA) are driven by opposite phases of the same theta rhythm. This approach recasts the long-standing philosophical enigma of selfhood as a testable question about neural mechanisms. As a preliminary test, we outline a proof-of-concept experiment that compares a simple task baseline with an induced flow state of reduced self-awareness, using high-density MEG with individual structural MRI for source localization. We will quantify theta–gamma (4–8/30–80 Hz) phase–amplitude coupling in prefrontal and sensory ROIs. We predict anti-phase (~180°) coupling with stronger prefrontal gamma at baseline, specifically attenuated in flow, providing neural evidence consistent with the Dynamic Self-Model. Beyond its empirical plausibility, we further argue that this model offers a powerful, unifying explanatory account for several enduring puzzles in consciousness studies, which in turn provides strong theoretical support for the model.

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