It is a unique sensation, accompanied by a transformation of time, which most commonly occurs in persons engaged in high-skill motor practices, such as champion athletes 6, 7 and musicians 8, 9, 10, 11. It is generally accepted that this exceptional state emerges from a clear goal that requires action, and a perfect match between specific skills and challenges 3, 4, 5. Over 40 years ago, Csikszentmihalyi 1 first introduced the concept of psychological “flow”, defined as a singular mental state accompanying exceptional performance, which was later popularized as being “in the zone” 2. Applying swLORETA on the motor command represented by the tibialis anterior EMG burst identified the ipsilateral cerebellum and contralateral sensorimotor cortex in association with on-line control exerted during both “flow” and “stress”, while the basal ganglia was identified only during “flow”. These results support that “flow” emergence required transient hypo-frontality. Comparison of “stress” versus “flow” identified the middle temporal gyrus (BA39) as the delta generator, and the medial frontal gyrus (BA10) as the alpha and beta generator. Applying swLORETA based on self-reported mental states revealed the right superior temporal gyrus (BA38), right globus pallidus, and putamen as generators of delta, alpha, and beta oscillations, respectively, when comparing “flow” versus “stress”. Using high-density electroencephalographic (EEG) recording, we quantified the neural generators characterizing psychological “flow” compared to a mindful “stress” state during a professional tightrope performance. Psychological “flow” emerges from a goal requiring action, and a match between skills and challenge.
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