---
title: "Sufi self-piercing with live sLORETA Z-Score image"
description: "These images were taken at the AAPB meeting in Portland. They show a sufi Safaa Saleh practicing self-piercing while simultaneously monitored using a 19-channel BrainAvatar EEG. The EEG and the sLORETA Z-Score display show an alpha production just before the…"
url: "https://brainmaster.com/kb-entry/id524/"
updated: "2025-11-05"
category: Research
---

# Sufi self-piercing with live sLORETA Z-Score image

These images were taken at the AAPB meeting in Portland. They show a sufi Safaa Saleh practicing self-piercing while simultaneously monitored using a 19-channel BrainAvatar EEG. The EEG and the sLORETA Z-Score display show an alpha production just before the piercing, showing that this practitioner is able to achieve a state of self-control before the piercing.   This was supervised by Erik Peper and Howard Hall.  The sLORETA image shows a frontal alpha production before the piercing.  The excess alpha on the right frontal lobe shows that the practitioner is suppressing his "avoidance" response and is maintaining a positive state.

 

![](https://brainmaster.com/wp-content/themes/brainmasters/kb_upload/Sufi1(1).jpg)

The raw EEG shows the alpha burst just before the piercing, showing relaxation and self-control of the fear response.

![](https://brainmaster.com/wp-content/themes/brainmasters/kb_upload/sufieeg.jpg)

The sLORETA z-score image shows significantly elevated frontal alpha, most pronounced in the right hemisphere.

![](https://brainmaster.com/wp-content/themes/brainmasters/kb_upload/sufiimage.jpg)

The flat maps show a surprisingly normal EEG, but with hypercoherent alpha, most prominent frontally.

![](https://brainmaster.com/wp-content/themes/brainmasters/kb_upload/sufimaps.jpg)

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