The Coherent HeartHeartBrain Interactions, PsychophysiologicalCoherence, and the Emergence of System-Wide OrderRollin McCraty, Ph.D., Mike Atkinson, Dana Tomasino, B.A.,and Raymond Trevor Bradley, Ph.D.1Abstract: This article presents theory and research on the scientific study of emotion thatemphasizes the importance of coherence as an optimal psychophysiological state. Adynamic systems view of the interrelations between psychological, cognitive andemotional systems and neural communication networks in the human organism providesa foundation for the view presented. These communication networks are examined froman information processing perspective and reveal a fundamental order in heart-braininteractions and a harmonious synchronization of physiological systems associated withpositive emotions. The concept of coherence is drawn on to understand optimalfunctioning which is naturally reflected in the hearts rhythmic patterns. Research ispresented identifying various psychophysiological states linked to these patterns, withneurocardiological coherence emerging as having significant impacts on well being.These include psychophysiological as well as improved cognitive performance. Fromthis, the central role of the heart is explored in terms of biochemical, biophysical andenergetic interactions. Appendices provide further details and research on;psychophysiological functioning, reference previous research in this area, details onresearch linking coherence with optimal cognitive performance, heart brainsynchronization and the energetic signature of the various psychophysiological modes.Keywords: Cognitive performance, coherence, emotion, heart rate variability, heart-braininteractions, neurocardiology, psychophysiological coherence, quantum holographicprinciples.This volume draws on the basic research conducted over the last decade at the Institute of HeartMath byDr. Rollin McCraty and Mike Atkinson. The original manuscript for this article was drafted between 1998and 2003 by Rollin McCraty and Dana Tomasino. Mike Atkinson conducted the analysis of the researchreported here and also constructed the figures and graphs displaying the statistical information. Dr.Raymond Bradley joined the project in 2004 to work on a major revision and expansion of the manuscriptto help bring the article to its present form.Correspondence should be directed to Dr. Rollin McCraty, Director of Research, HeartMath ResearchCenter.14700 West Park AvenueBoulder Creek, California 95006Office: 831-338-8727rollin@heartmath.orgINTEGRAL REVIEWDecember 2009Vol. 5, No. 2Prologue ................................................................................................................................... 13 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 14 Theoretical Considerations ...................................................................................................... 16 Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................................ 16 Information and Communication ..................................................................................... 16 The Concept of Coherence ............................................................................................... 17 Theory .................................................................................................................................. 18 The Psychophysiological Network: A Systems Perspective.................................................... 19 Heart Rate Variability and Measurement of Psychophysiological Modes .......................... 20 Emotions and Heart Rhythm Patterns .................................................................................. 20 Psychophysiological Coherence .......................................................................................... 22 Heart Rhythm Coherence ................................................................................................. 23 Physiological Correlates................................................................................................... 23 Psychological and Behavioral Correlates......................................................................... 26 Drivers of Coherence ....................................................................................................... 26 Benefits of Psychophysiological Coherence .................................................................... 27 A Typology of Psychophysiological Interaction.................................................................. 28 Psychophysiological Hyper-States ................................................................................... 32 Heart Coherence and Psychophysiological Function............................................................... 34 Vagal Afferent Traffic.......................................................................................................... 35 Pain Perception .................................................................................................................... 36 Respiration ........................................................................................................................... 36 Emotional Processing ........................................................................................................... 38 Coherence and Cognitive Performance.................................................................................... 41 The Heart Rhythm Coherence Hypothesis: A Macro-Scale Perspective ............................. 42 A More Complex Picture ..................................................................................................... 43 Complexity of Cardiac Afferent Signals .......................................................................... 43 Afferent Input to Brain Centers other than the Thalamus ................................................ 44 HeartBrain Synchronization ........................................................................................... 45 System Dynamics: Centrality of the Heart in the Psychophysiological Network ................... 45 A Systems Approach ............................................................................................................ 46 Neurological Interactions ..................................................................................................... 47 Coherence Within the Brain ............................................................................................. 47 More Than a Pump ........................................................................................................... 50 Biochemical Interactions...................................................................................................... 51 Biophysical Interactions ....................................................................................................... 54 Energetic Interactions........................................................................................................... 55 Energetic Signatures of