Stoicism and the Brain: Using a Portable Electroencephalogram with a Stoic Intervention

Stoic philosophy has regained traction in recent years as a prevalent ideology or mindset by which one can live their life, as numerous studies have been conducted on its numerous psychological and behavioural benefits. This study employed a portable EEG device to examine whether these positive effects can be discerned on a neuroscientific level by looking at an individual’s neural synchrony and supplementing it with behavioural data. Thirty-two undergraduate students participated in a one-week experiment and were randomly assigned to a Stoicism condition, a journaling-only active control condition, or a passive control condition. Participants completed the Stoic Attitudes and Behaviours Scale (SABS 5.0) and the Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire (RRQ), along with EEG recordings from a Muse portable EEG device, before and after their respective interventions. Results indicated significant decreases in Rumination and increases in Stoic attitudes for the Stoicism condition, but no significant differences in Reflection. EEG analyses yielded mixed outcomes, with non-significant trends leaning toward increased theta-band synchrony at temporal electrode sites (TP9/10) in the Stoicism group, aligning with previous research on emotional regulation and stress reduction. Some limitations, including sample size and uncontrolled external influences (such as a stressful statistics midterm occurring during the participant's interventions), likely affected the results and neural effects. Despite these limitations, this study brings preliminary evidence that even a brief week-long Stoic training can reduce negative cognitive patterns and increase brainwave synchrony. Further research is required to explore the neuroscientific effects more fully, with extended durations and improved experimental control, in order to better understand the neuropsychological mechanisms of Stoicism.