Insular stimulation produces mental clarity and bliss.

For the first time an ecstatic aura has been evoked through the electrical stimulation of the dorsal anterior insula during pre-surgical invasive intracerebral monitoring in a patient who did not suffer from an ecstatic form of epilepsy. This case provides more evidence that the anterior insula is the major generator of such a mystical-type experience even in individuals with no underlying brain network changes related to a pre-existing ecstatic epilepsy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.