Mapping the Body in the Brain with the Mind

Using a magnet and a mind, we revealed the brain’s somatotopic organization without touching the body. Fingertip representations were first mapped using vibrotactile stimulation at 7T, then again by directing attention across the fingers under constant vibration. Finally, attention was directed to the fingertips and facial regions using only auditory cues, without any external tactile stimulation. Prior training in a sensory-restricted float tank subjectively sharpened attentional precision and bodily awareness. Remarkably, somatotopic maps emerged in the absence of external tactile stimulation – showing that structured attention alone can reveal the brain’s somatotopic organization.