Meditation proves to benefit brain function through increasing gray matter

Meditation has long been associated with the benefits of relaxation and reduction of stress. However, few studies have determined the actual peripheral biological processes and brain structure changes that arise from meditation and their effects on neural functions. In the lecture of Dr. Grabowecky, she states how there are two different types of meditation, focused attention and open monitoring (mindfulness). Focused attention meditation is when the meditator focuses their attention on a certain object, normally breathing, and allows the recognition of  the mind wandering but then attention is returned back to the original object. The open monitoring meditation does not have a specific object to focus on but allows the mind to flow freely while practicing being aware of emotions and cognitive patterns without reacting to them.

            Focused attention meditators were able to focus on certain presented stimuli better and for longer periods of time than the controls in Grabowecky’s study. Open monitoring study participants were able to focus longer and more effectively on stimuli that were unexpected compared to those who were experienced in focusing attention meditation. The more experience with the open monitoring mediation practice is believed to cause changes in mental and brain functions. However, there are few studies that go into the details of how this type of mediation can result in neural changes.

            Recently, neuroscientists at Harvard University have made a breakthrough in the proof that open monitoring meditation has long-term effects on the brain function and structure. They had a group of sixteen participants practice open monitoring meditation for 45 minutes a day in their own homes for eight weeks. The scientists also encouraged the participants to incorporate mindfulness into daily activities such as eating or walking. They were supposed to achieve 27 minutes of mindfulness each day outside of their meditation sessions throughout the study period. In order to monitor the effects, the neuroscientists used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each participant had and MRI done prior to the start of the eight weeks of mindfulness and at the end of the period. There was also a control group who did not participate in any meditation practices who also had MRIs taken of their brain. Much like Grabowecky observed in her studies, people who participated in the meditation practices stated that they felt more self aware and less judgmental of their environments or they improved their “mindfulness.” The Harvard neuroscientists discovered something regarding the actually brain structure that helps support the increased mindfulness in their study as well has Dr. Grabowecky’s. The gray matter in the 16 participants brains had increased gray matter in the hippocampus, posterior cingulate cortex, temporo-parietal junction, and the cerebellum. These brain changes explain the increase of self-awareness, memory, and other cognitive functions demonstrating how meditation can be very beneficial.

References

Lutz, A., Slagter, H. A., Dunne, J. D., & Davidson, R. J. (2008, March 10). Attention regulation and monitoring in meditation. Cell Press Neuron, 12(4), 1-7.

Mckay, S. (2014, February 28). How Meditation Changes Your Brain: A Neuroscientist Explains. In MindBodyGreen. Retrieved from http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12793/how-meditation-changes-your-brain-a-neuroscientist-explains.html