In one aspect, a method for imaging fluid flow and/or perfusion using spin labeling is provided. The method comprises applying a first magnetic gradient sequence at least to a labeling region, applying a first pulsed radio frequency (RF) sequence to the labeling region to label the fluid, the first pulsed RF sequence comprising a first plurality of pulses wherein an amplitude envelope is non-zero, the first plurality of pulses each separated by a respective first plurality of intervals wherein the amplitude envelope is substantially zero, and acquiring at least one first signal emitted from an imaging region a predetermined delay after applying the first pulsed RF sequence.