Editing Insular cortex (section)

===Subjective certainty in ecstatic seizures===
{{Main|Ecstatic seizures}}

A common quality in mystical experiences is a strong feeling of certainty which [[ineffability|cannot be expressed in words]]. Fabienne Picard proposes a neurological explanation for this subjective certainty, based on clinical research of epilepsy.<ref>{{Citation | last =Picard | first =Fabienne |title =State of belief, subjective certainty and bliss as a product of cortical dysfuntion | journal =Cortex |volume=49 | issue =9 |year=2013 |pages=2494–2500| pmid =23415878 | doi =10.1016/j.cortex.2013.01.006 | s2cid =206984751 }}</ref><ref>{{Citation | last1 =Gschwind | first1 =Markus | last2 =Picard | first2 =Fabienne | year =2016 | title =Ecstatic Epileptic Seizures: a glimpse into the multiple roles of the insula | journal =Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience | volume =10 | page =21 | doi=10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00021 | pmid=26924970 | pmc=4756129| doi-access =free }}</ref>
According to Picard, this feeling of certainty may be caused by a dysfunction of the anterior insula, a part of the brain which is involved in [[interoception]], self-reflection, and in avoiding uncertainty about the internal representations of the world by "anticipation of resolution of uncertainty or risk". This avoidance of uncertainty functions through the comparison between predicted states and actual states, that is, "signaling that we do not understand, i.e., that there is ambiguity."<ref>Picard 2013, p.2496-2498</ref> Picard notes that  "the concept of insight is very close to that of certainty," and refers to Archimedes' "Eureka!"<ref>Picard 2013, p.2497-2498</ref><ref>See also [[satori]] in Japanese Zen</ref> Picard hypothesizes that during ecstatic seizures the comparison between predicted states and actual states no longer functions, and that mismatches between predicted state and actual state are no longer processed, blocking "[[negative emotion]]s and negative arousal arising from predictive uncertainty," which will be experienced as emotional confidence.<ref name="Picard 2013, p.2498">Picard 2013, p.2498</ref> Picard concludes that "[t]his could lead to a spiritual interpretation in some individuals."<ref name="Picard 2013, p.2498"/>