Meditation produces changes in the brain, according to science
Meditation is fashionable today ; however, it is an ancestral practice that has been practiced for centuries.
In recent years, many people in the West have chosen to go into meditative practice for its benefits both mentally and physically, and is that meditation becomes a great alternative in these times, it helps to stay in the here and the now, connected with ourselves and with the relaxed mind, away from this busy world, far from unreal expectations.
- Related article: "The 8 types of meditation and their characteristics"
Science supports its practice
The goal of meditation exercises and even some forms of yoga, is the control of breathing to induce a state of calm and concentration. Paying attention to the breath and controlling it are a basic component of many meditation practices (and also of Mindfulness). The investigations carried out in this field suggest that this practice has multiple benefits: induces a general feeling of well-being while reducing anxiety and improving sleep, for example .
The benefits of meditation are clear, but what exactly happens in the brain during meditation? Neuroimaging studies in humans have shown that the regions of the brain involved in attention (frontal lobe) and emotions (limbic system) are affected in the various stages of meditative practice. In addition, a new study carried out in mice and recently published in the journal Science shows that brainstem neurons are also involved in the connection between breathing and the state of calm characteristic of meditation.
New scientific evidence
In fact, this study was based on previous research, one of them, carried out by scientists at the University of California in 1991, who discovered the pre-Bötzinger complex, an area that contains neurons that are activated rhythmically with each breath. It is a kind of respiratory pacemaker, very different from the cardiac pacemaker, and has a great variety of different rhythms, for example, in cases of yawning.
Researchers from Stanford University found that this region is significantly activated during meditation , and Mark Krasnow, a professor of biochemistry at this university and coauthor of the study, states that "this is not a region that simply provides air to the lungs, but that these breaths are also associated with social and emotional signals." A group of neurons in this area are those that are activated every time we inhale or exhale, like a respiratory pacemaker. Meditation helps to have more control over breathing and makes us feel great well-being when we have the will to perform it.
Other conclusions of the researchers
In addition to the previous study, there are many researches that have been made with the purpose of trying to discover what exactly happens in the brain of the meditator. A study published in the journal Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging states that those people who meditate 30 minutes a day for eight weeks acquire a greater density of gray matter in the parts of the brain associated with memory, the sense of self, empathy or stress reduction. This gray matter is located mainly in the hippocampus, an important area for learning and memory.
Britta Hölzel, a psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and director of research, explains that "the main idea of meditation is to connect with oneself, with the here and now, with bodily sensations. , emotions or breathing, the essential thing is to find the connection between the body and the mind, and this is what we have shown to happen "
Also, Sara Lazar, scientist of this study concludes that thanks to meditation:
- The thickness of the cingulate cortex increases , as well as part of the limbic system. These regions influence emotions, attention, learning, memory and the perception of both physical and emotional pain.
- The gray matter in the amygdala decreases , reducing anxiety, fear and stress.
- The left area of the hippocampus , which is responsible for learning, cognitive abilities, memory and the regulation of emotions, also increases its size.
- The temporoparietal junction , which is involved in social relationships, takes perspective, empathy and compassion increases its proportions.
Benefits of meditation
All these changes in the brain are responsible for meditation being beneficial for human beings. Now, these changes do not occur instantaneously, since meditating requires practice, will and, logically, effort.
Unfortunately, many people think that meditating is simply sitting and breathing; however, especially in the early stages, one struggles against the body's resistance, and until he is not aware that this is part of the process, he may not enjoy its benefits in full.
However, the good meditator benefits remarkably for several reasons . Meditate helps:
- Reduce stress and anxiety.
- Improve the ability to concentrate and the attention domain.
- It allows you to sleep better.
- It helps you to know yourself better and find inner peace.
- It promotes empathy and improves social relationships.
- Increase pain tolerance
- Increase memory and learning.
- It encourages positive and optimistic thinking.
