Effects of color saturation on frontal brain activity in colorblind and non-colorblind individuals

Abstract This research aimed to explore the influence of color saturation on brainwave patterns in both colorblind and non-colorblind individuals. Using electroencephalography (EEG) signals and the MUSE brain-computer interface (BCI), we investigated how different color saturation levels and intermittent gray stimuli affected physiological responses and perceptions. The overarching goal was to reveal the subtle yet significant role of color in human perception, preferences, and psychology, irrespective of individual awareness. We recruited 35 individuals, with 15 identified as colorblind and 20 as non-colorblind, aged between 18 and 60 years, with an average age of 32 years (SD=12.3). Participants were presented with 10 colors on a computer screen, occasionally supplemented with gray stimuli. Initially, colors were displayed at 50% Red-Green-Blue (RGB) saturation and then at 100% saturation. EEG data were collected using the MUSE device to analyze time and frequency parameters. The analysis primarily focused on the P100 wave’s amplitude and latency in response to each color. Additionally, frequency analysis and investigation into event-related desynchronization (ERD) and event-related synchronization (ERS) complexes were conducted for each color to reinforce findings and suggest potential directions for future research. The analysis revealed distinct influences of specific colors on brainwave activity in both colorblind and non-colorblind groups, highlighting differences in how colors impacted participants’ attention. Frontal EEG measurements, particularly the P100 wave, along with frequency analysis and ERS/ERD complexes, indicated that varying color saturation levels had significant impacts on participants’ physiological reactions and perceptual responses. This research demonstrated that frontal EEG measurements, including the P100 wave, frequency analysis, and ERS/ERD complexes, can effectively indicate the influence of different color saturation levels on participants’ physiological reactions and perceptual responses. The findings underscore the significance of color in influencing human perception and cognitive responses, irrespective of individual color awareness, suggesting potential avenues for further investigation in this domain.