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New Study Reveals What Happens in Your Brain When Your Mind Goes Blank

Science and Technology

Business Honor
05 May, 2025

Scientists uncover brain activity patterns during blank mind moments, shedding light on mental states.

Scientists found out what occurs in the brain when a person's mind suddenly goes blank. This everyday occurrence—awake but not thinking about anything in particular—has now been accounted for by science.

A group of researchers at Belgium's University of Liège employed brain scans to investigate this state of mind. They discovered that when the mind goes blank, the brain is extremely low in activity. In fact, it becomes less integrated and less alert. This is rather contrary to daydreaming or focused thinking, when the brain remains actively engaged.

The scientists employed a technique known as fMRI, which measures brain activity changes. The participants were required to remain immobile inside a scanner and say out loud what was in their minds. At times, they would inform the scientists that they had nothing on their minds. When this occurred, the brain scans found decreased activity in the brain regions responsible for memory and consciousness of self.

One of the key revelations is that blank moments are not empty spaces. Rather, they are a specific brain pattern. The brain relaxes and disengages, as if resting but alert. What it means is that the mind can be alert but thoughtless, contrary to previous theories about brain functioning.

These findings inform us further about internal states such as boredom, weariness, or meditative state when individuals will most likely respond with blankness. It would also inform us about some mental disorders where control over thought is lost.

The experiment provides new insight into the resting human brain. The blankness is no longer a transient fade into distraction but is now seen as an actual and quantifiable state of the brain.