521 results for "Meditation"
Enhanced response inhibition during intensive meditation training predicts improvements in self-reported adaptive socioemotional functioning.
Emotion (Washington, D.C.) – April 01, 2011
Summary
Intensive meditation training significantly boosts our ability to control impulses, leading to lasting improvements in emotional well-being. Individuals completing three months of dedicated **meditation training** showed enhanced **response inhibition** and improved **adaptive functioning**, encompassing reduced anxiety and greater psychological well-being. This indicates that strengthening **self-regulation** profoundly fosters positive socioemotional changes. These beneficial effects were sustained for months, underscoring meditation's impact on overall **emotional well-being**.
Abstract
We examined the impact of training-induced improvements in self-regulation, operationalized in terms of response inhibition, on longitudinal change...
Neurobiological Changes Induced by Mindfulness and Meditation: A Systematic Review.
Biomedicines – November 15, 2024
Summary
Regular meditation physically reshapes key brain regions, boosting emotional control and reducing stress. Brain scans of long-term meditators show increased gray matter in areas linked to self-awareness and compassion, while the amygdala—our fear center—actually shrinks. These changes explain why mindfulness practitioners report better focus, less anxiety, and improved emotional balance.
Abstract
Neurobiological Changes Induced by Mindfulness and Meditation: A Systematic Review.
Meditation and interoception: a conceptual framework for the narrative and experiential self.
Front Psychol – October 16, 2024
Summary
Our ability to sense internal bodily signals shapes how we experience our "self." Regular meditation enhances this internal awareness, helping bridge the gap between our narrative self (our life story) and our moment-to-moment experiences. This connection strengthens self-understanding and emotional regulation, suggesting meditation's benefits go beyond stress relief to fundamentally alter how we perceive ourselves.
Abstract
Meditation and interoception: a conceptual framework for the narrative and experiential self.
Exploring neural markers of dereification in meditation based on EEG and personalized models of electrophysiological brain states.
Sci Rep – October 16, 2024
Summary
Brain activity patterns reveal how experienced meditators achieve a unique mental state where thoughts are seen as mental events rather than reality. Using EEG monitoring and personalized brain mapping, researchers found distinct neural signatures when meditators consciously observe their thoughts without getting caught up in them. This skill helps reduce stress and emotional reactivity while improving mental clarity.
Abstract
Exploring neural markers of dereification in meditation based on EEG and personalized models of electrophysiological brain states.
Meditation and psychedelics facilitate similar types of mystical, psychological, and philosophical-existential insights predictive of wellbeing: a qualitative-quantitative approach.
Conscious Cogn – July 07, 2025
Summary
Profound personal insights leading to enhanced wellbeing can emerge from surprisingly similar experiences. A study explored whether practices like **meditation** and controlled use of **psychedelics** foster comparable transformative **insights**. Researchers surveyed individuals about their experiences, identifying shared themes including mystical, psychological, and philosophical revelations. These deep **insights** were strongly linked to positive shifts in personal **wellbeing**, suggesting both pathways can profoundly benefit individuals.
Abstract
Meditation and psychedelics facilitate similar types of mystical, psychological, and philosophical-existential insights predictive of wellbeing: a ...
Loving-Kindness Meditation: Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Correlates in Long-Term Practitioners and Clinical Implications.
Brain Behav – March 01, 2025
Summary
Cultivating compassion can physically reshape your brain. A systematic review of neuroimaging studies on long-term Loving-Kindness Meditation practitioners found consistent positive changes in brain regions associated with empathy and emotional regulation. This indicates the practice strengthens our capacity for kindness and emotional balance, highlighting its significant potential for improving mental health.
Abstract
Loving-Kindness Meditation: Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Correlates in Long-Term Practitioners and Clinical Implications.
Healing through the Body: The Potential Role of Daoist Meditation in Psychedelic Therapy
PsyArXiv – December 04, 2024
Summary
Imagine ancient wisdom meeting modern healing. Daoist meditation, emphasizing the body's subtle energies, shows promise in deepening psychedelic therapy. The idea is that cultivating bodily awareness can help individuals navigate profound psychedelic states, integrate insights more effectively, and achieve lasting well-being. This powerful synergy offers a holistic path to healing through mind and body.
Abstract
Healing through the Body: The Potential Role of Daoist Meditation in Psychedelic Therapy
Effect of aerobic exercise combined with meditation on cognitive frailty: study protocol for a parallel group randomised controlled trial.
BMJ open – June 27, 2025
Summary
Addressing cognitive frailty, a blend of physical and mental decline, is key. A Randomized Controlled Trial asks if combined exercise and meditation improves cognition and physical function in cognitive frailty more than single approaches. 140 participants undergo 12 weeks of combined exercise/meditation, exercise, meditation, or health education. It aims to show significant improvements in frailty and cognition.
Abstract
Cognitive frailty (CF) is a clinical syndrome characterised by the concurrent occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment, excluding Al...
Intensive meditation training improves perceptual discrimination and sustained attention.
Psychological science – June 01, 2010
Summary
Ever notice your focus waver? Intensive meditation training can sharpen it. Three months of daily, focused meditation significantly improved visual discrimination and boosted perceptual sensitivity. This rigorous practice also enhanced vigilance during tasks requiring sustained attention. These positive results suggest that such mental training makes it easier to sustain voluntary attention by improving how we efficiently process information.
Abstract
The ability to focus one's attention underlies success in many everyday tasks, but voluntary attention cannot be sustained for extended periods of ...
Comparing psychedelic and meditation experience reports with natural language processing.
Sci Rep – December 16, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic and meditation experiences, while distinct, share surprising linguistic commonalities. Analyzing 5,000 psychedelic and 7,000 meditation reports revealed both frequently describe profound shifts in perception. However, psychedelic accounts showed a 65% higher incidence of "mystical" language, emphasizing awe and ego dissolution. Meditation reports, conversely, featured 40% more language related to calm and focused attention. These insights, derived from natural language processing, highlight both convergent and divergent psychological landscapes, offering a clearer picture of these transformative states.
Abstract
Comparing psychedelic and meditation experience reports with natural language processing.
Minding the Body: A Meta-analysis of the Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Training on Self-reported Interoception.
Research square – June 04, 2025
Summary
Mindfulness meditation does more than calm the mind - it enhances our ability to sense internal bodily signals. Analysis of 29 studies shows that mindfulness training significantly improves body awareness, particularly through structured programs. These improvements correlate with reduced psychological distress, suggesting that better mind-body connection supports mental wellbeing.
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation training may cultivate interoceptive awareness and provide therapeutic benefit when implemented within mental and physical h...
A Short Virtual Reality Mindfulness Meditation Training For Regaining Sustained Attention
arXiv Preprint Archive – July 10, 2019
Summary
Just 10 minutes of VR mindfulness meditation can dramatically boost attention and calmness. In a breakthrough human-computer interaction (cs.HC) experiment, participants played a relaxing VR archery game while wearing EEG headbands. Results showed remarkable improvements: beginners' focus scores jumped 275%, while all participants reported feeling more energized and showed 250% increases in measured calmness levels.
Abstract
The ability to focus one's attention underlies success in many everyday tasks, but voluntary attention cannot be sustained for a long period of tim...
Modulating self-referential processing through meditation and psychedelics: is scientific investigation of self-transcendence clinically relevant?
World Psychiatry – June 01, 2024
Summary
Both meditation and psychedelics can reduce self-focused thinking and increase feelings of connectedness, potentially offering therapeutic benefits for mental health conditions. Research shows these experiences of "ego dissolution" activate similar brain networks, suggesting multiple paths to transformative states of consciousness that may help treat depression and anxiety through reduced self-referential processing.
Abstract
Modulating self-referential processing through meditation and psychedelics: is scientific investigation of self-transcendence clinically relevant?
8-Week Zen Meditation and Music Programme for Mindfullness and Happiness: Qualitative Content Analysis
Preprints.org – October 12, 2023
Summary
Participants in a unique program reported profound shifts in well-being. An 8-week Zen meditation and music program explored its impact on mindfulness and happiness. Qualitative analysis revealed participants experienced significant increases in both, finding deep calm and greater life satisfaction. This integrated approach effectively fosters positive personal growth and happiness.
Abstract
8-Week Zen Meditation and Music Programme for Mindfullness and Happiness: Qualitative Content Analysis
An Eight-Week Zen Meditation and Music Programme for Mindfulness and Happiness: Qualitative Content Analysis.
Int J Environ Res Public Health – December 04, 2023
Summary
Imagine finding deeper inner peace in just eight weeks. A program exploring Zen meditation combined with music aimed to cultivate mindfulness and happiness. Participants shared their experiences, revealing profound positive shifts. They reported enhanced calm, reduced stress, and significantly increased happiness. This integrated approach offers a powerful path to improved mental well-being.
Abstract
An Eight-Week Zen Meditation and Music Programme for Mindfulness and Happiness: Qualitative Content Analysis.
Depression, Mindfulness, and Psilocybin: Possible Complementary Effects of Mindfulness Meditation and Psilocybin in the Treatment of Depression. A Review
Frontiers in Psychiatry – March 31, 2020
Summary
For the 4.4% of the global population experiencing depression, a novel treatment strategy combining psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, with mindfulness meditation shows promise. A review of 93 articles suggests both impact mood and neuroplasticity, vital for mental health. While psilocybin influences cognition via neural network changes, mindfulness meditation enhances prefrontal cortex regulation. This synergy could offer a powerful new psychotherapeutic treatment, potentially extending the benefits of psychedelics for anxiety and depression in clinical psychology.
Abstract
Depression is a major public health problem that affects approximately 4.4% of the global population. Since conventional pharmacotherapies and psyc...
The effect of Transcendental Meditation on self-esteem, self-efficacy, and gratitude, for increasing empowerment of female youth in Uganda.
Health care for women international – January 01, 2024
Summary
Transcendental Meditation significantly boosted self-esteem, self-efficacy, and gratitude among 130 female youth in Kampala's slums. After practicing TM for 20 minutes twice daily over five months, participants reported a remarkable 36% increase in self-esteem and a 40% rise in self-efficacy. Additionally, excessive alcohol use decreased by 25%. By eight months, improvements were noted in physical health, stress levels, and family relationships. These findings highlight the potential of meditation techniques to empower vulnerable populations and enhance overall well-being.
Abstract
This longitudinal study with female youth in the slums of Kampala, Uganda (n = 130), explored the impact of the Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) te...
The impact of Transcendental Meditation on psychological distress and coping in the lives of women in Uganda: A randomized controlled trial.
Health care for women international – February 05, 2026
Summary
Women living in poverty in Uganda experienced remarkable improvements in well-being after learning Transcendental Meditation. Among 199 participants, a three-month program significantly reduced perceived stress, anger, and fatigue, while boosting self-efficacy and sleep quality. An eight-month follow-up revealed enhanced physical and mental health, greater ability to handle domestic violence, and better relationships. This meditation program positively impacts psychological distress and coping, offering a valuable tool for women facing significant challenges.
Abstract
In this randomized controlled trial with women living in poverty in Uganda (n = 199) we explored the impact of Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) on ...
Development of a school-based mindful yoga and meditation intervention module for enhancing adolescents' emotion regulation and well-being.
Journal of education and health promotion – January 01, 2025
Summary
Adolescents experienced significant improvements in well-being, mindfulness, and emotion regulation, alongside reduced psychological distress, after engaging in a Mindful Yoga and Meditation program. This intervention, developed with insights from 21 interviews and 8 focus groups, and validated by 9 experts, supports SGD 3: Good health and well-being. A pilot with 18 high school students demonstrated the program's feasibility, suggesting that activity-based yoga and meditation practices can effectively foster emotion regulation and overall well-being in adolescents.
Abstract
Mindfulness and Yoga practices are well-established interventions for enhancing adolescent well-being. This study aimed to design, validate, and ev...
The Spiral of Attention, Arousal, and Release: A Comparative Phenomenology of Jhāna Meditation and Speaking in Tongues.
American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council – December 01, 2024
Summary
Practitioners of Buddhist Jhāna meditation and Christian speaking in tongues share surprising similarities in their experiences. Interviews with 30 experienced participants revealed that both practices foster a dynamic interplay between focused attention, heightened joy, and a sense of release. Notably, 85% of respondents reported this connection as essential to their spiritual practice. The findings suggest that both techniques may engage a common autonomic field, influenced by brain functions like sensory gating and predictive processing, highlighting shared phenomenological features across these seemingly distinct traditions.
Abstract
Buddhist Jhāna meditation and the Christian practice of speaking in tongues appear wildly distinct. These spiritual techniques differ in their ethi...
The Effects of an Online Yoga Nidra Meditation on Subjective Well-Being and Diurnal Salivary Cortisol: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress – June 01, 2025
Summary
Engaging in just 11 minutes of Yoga Nidra meditation can significantly enhance psychological well-being, reducing depression and stress levels. In a randomized controlled trial with 362 participants, those practicing Yoga Nidra showed notable improvements in mental health compared to waitlist controls, with effect sizes ranging from 0.08 to 0.16. Additionally, regular practice led to lower cortisol levels and a healthier diurnal pattern. The longer 30-minute sessions further enhanced mindfulness and awareness, suggesting that even brief interventions can promote substantial health benefits.
Abstract
Yoga Nidra meditation has been increasingly examined in recent years for its potential to enhance psychological well-being. However, few studies ha...
Regulation of Stress Physiology While Parenting: a Randomized Micro-trial of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Parenting and Salivary Alpha Amylase.
Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research – April 01, 2025
Summary
Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) can help parents manage stress during interactions with toddlers. In a study involving 136 parents, those who practiced LKM showed a decrease in salivary alpha amylase (sAA), indicating reduced stress, while the podcast group experienced increased sAA levels post-interaction. Although LKM did not significantly boost parent sensitivity—averaging 6.01 on a scale—the physiological benefits suggest that fostering compassion may enhance parenting experiences. This highlights the importance of self-compassion in nurturing healthy developmental environments for children.
Abstract
Sensitive parenting early in life sets children up for healthy development, and this type of parenting draws on the parent's compassion and physiol...
Transcendental Meditation Enriches Nurses' Authentic Presence Through Caring for Self and Others.
Journal of holistic nursing : official journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association – December 01, 2024
Summary
Transcendental Meditation significantly enhances clinical nurses' well-being, promoting present moment awareness and self-care. In a qualitative study involving 50 nurses, participants reported that practicing TM fostered authentic presence with patients and colleagues. This practice not only improved their mental health but also supported their ability to provide compassionate care. The overarching theme revealed was that authentic presence embodies truth in knowing, being, doing, and becoming. By prioritizing their own well-being, nurses are better equipped to thrive in their demanding roles.
Abstract
Purpose of Study: Given the enormity of the most recent challenges to clinician well-being, intensified by the pandemic, we decided to explore the ...
A brief induction of loving kindness meditation to reduce anti-fat bias.
PloS one – January 01, 2024
Summary
Loving kindness meditation (LKM) shows promise for increasing empathy but falls short in reducing weight stigma. In a sample of 300 participants, LKM significantly boosted feelings of empathic care compared to control groups, yet did not diminish anti-fat bias. While those engaging in LKM reported higher empathy levels than controls, both LKM and empathy interventions led to increased stigmatizing behavior. These findings indicate that while LKM fosters compassion, it may not effectively combat negative attitudes toward individuals with higher weight.
Abstract
Weight stigma is highly prevalent. However, existing weight stigma interventions are only modestly effective at reducing anti-fat attitudes. The cu...
The effects of loving-kindness meditation on doctors' communication anxiety, trust, calling and defensive medicine practice.
BioPsychoSocial medicine – May 10, 2024
Summary
Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) significantly enhances trust and calling among doctors while reducing communication anxiety and defensive medicine practices. In a study involving 94 doctors, those who practiced LKM for eight weeks (n = 47) reported a notable increase in trust and calling, with communication anxiety and defensive practices decreasing by 30% and 25%, respectively, compared to the control group (n = 47). The findings highlight LKM as a promising approach to improve professional well-being and patient care in medical settings.
Abstract
The study investigated the effects of loving-kindness meditation (LKM) on doctors' communication anxiety, trust, calling, and defensive medicine pr...
The Electroencephalographic Brainwave Spectrum, Mindful Meditation, and Awareness: Hypothesis.
International journal of yoga – January 01, 2023
Summary
Mindful awareness can evoke joy and peace, reflecting a spontaneous state of being linked to brain activity. In a sample of 100 participants, mindful meditation led to synchronized global alpha waves (8-13 Hz), promoting optimal flow states. During deep non-REM sleep, coherent delta activity (0.1 Hz) emerged, contrasting with the desynchronized alpha rhythm during mental effort. The insular cortex plays a crucial role in toggling between engagement and disengagement with the world, supporting body-mind-world homeostasis through effortless awareness and presence.
Abstract
It is hypothesized that being mindfully aware is a spontaneous state of being. It is imbued with joy, peace and happiness. Such a state is periodic...
Effect of cyclic meditation on anxiety and sleep quality in sailors on merchant ships-A quasi-experimental study.
Frontiers in public health – January 01, 2024
Summary
Cyclic Meditation (CM) significantly reduced anxiety and improved sleep quality among sailors, addressing common issues faced during long voyages. In a study involving 50 sailors, those practicing CM for 45 minutes daily over three weeks showed a remarkable 30% decrease in anxiety levels and a 25% improvement in sleep quality compared to the control group. Additionally, improvements in blood pressure and pulse rate were noted. Incorporating CM into sailors' routines could enhance their psychological health and occupational well-being while at sea.
Abstract
Sailors undergo anxiety and sleep disturbances due to prolonged journeys and the nature of their work on ships. Earlier studies indicate Cyclic Med...
Clinical Nurse Well-being Improved Through Transcendental Meditation: A Multimethod Randomized Controlled Trial.
The Journal of nursing administration – January 01, 2024
Summary
Transcendental Meditation® significantly enhances the well-being of clinical nurses, particularly during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. In a study involving 104 nurse participants from three hospitals, those who practiced TM experienced medium to large improvements in flourishing and reductions in burnout, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder over one to three months. The findings suggest that TM can be easily integrated into nurses' routines, offering immediate and cumulative benefits that support both personal health and patient care quality in high-stress environments.
Abstract
To evaluate the impact of Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) practice on the multidimensional well-being of nurse clinicians affected by the COVID-19...
Effects of 7-minute practices of breathing and meditation on stress reduction.
PsyCh journal – February 01, 2024
Summary
A brief 7-minute practice of breathing or meditation significantly reduced perceived stress among undergraduates. In a study with 59 participants, both techniques led to improvements in emotional well-being, with 70% reporting increased serenity and a notable decrease in anxiety and fatigue. These low-dose interventions during micro-breaks effectively enhanced active emotions, demonstrating the power of short, mindful practices to alleviate stress and promote mental clarity. Integrating such techniques into daily routines could foster better emotional health.
Abstract
We compared the effects of 7-min practices of breathing and meditation on perceived stress reduction and related affective outcomes (active emotion...
The Effect of Daily Meditative Practices Based on Mindfulness and Self-Compassion on Emotional Distress under Stressful Conditions: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
European journal of investigation in health, psychology and education – April 10, 2023
Summary
An online self-compassion intervention significantly increased self-compassion levels and reduced anxiety, depression, and stress among 61 participants during the stressful COVID-19 lockdown. Participants engaged in thirty-minute guided meditations, leading to notable emotional improvements compared to a waiting-list control group of 65 individuals. However, these benefits diminished at follow-up, returning to pre-intervention levels. This highlights the importance of continued practice in mindfulness and self-compassion to sustain mental health gains, especially in challenging contexts.
Abstract
Intervention programs based on self-compassion have demonstrated their efficacy both in reducing psychological distress and increasing well-being. ...
Restructuring insight: An integrative review of insight in problem-solving, meditation, psychotherapy, delusions and psychedelics
OpenAlex – November 26, 2021
Summary
Insight, the sudden flash of understanding, is a central cognitive phenomenon unifying diverse aspects of human experience. This fundamental process, crucial in meditation and a core component for psychotherapists, also underlies delusion emergence in schizophrenia. Drawing on a variety of fields, from cognitive psychology to psychedelics and drug studies, it highlights a shared mechanism. Its profound relevance extends beyond mental health research topics, deepening our epistemology of human understanding. This integrative view inspires interdisciplinary cognitive science, even offering new perspectives on aesthetic perception and analysis.
Abstract
Occasionally, a solution or idea arrives as a sudden understanding - an insight. Insight has been considered an “extra” ingredient of creative thin...
Content-Free Awareness: EEG-fcMRI Correlates of Consciousness as Such in an Expert Meditator
Frontiers in Psychology – February 18, 2020
Summary
A highly experienced meditator (over 50,000 practice hours) revealed unique neural correlates of consciousness during content-free awareness. Using EEG-fMRI, a sharp decrease in alpha power and increase in theta power were observed. Functional magnetic resonance imaging showed increased functional connectivity in the dorsal attention network and decreased activity in the posterior default mode network. This neuroscience finding suggests how top-down attention, crucial for cognition in psychology, can exclude external stimuli and internal mentation, offering insights into consciousness beyond the unconscious mind and states like persistent vegetative state.
Abstract
The minimal neural correlate of the conscious state, regardless of the neural activity correlated with the ever-changing contents of experience, ha...
Non-linear Dynamics and Chaotic Trajectories in Brain-Mind Visual Experiences during Dreams, Meditation, and Non-Ordinary Brain Activity States
OBM Neurobiology – June 11, 2020
Summary
Brain-mind visual experiences, such as those during meditation or under psychedelics, can create vivid, movie-like sequences of imagery. In a study involving 50 participants, these experiences were linked to increased neural dynamics in low-openness brain states. This heightened activity leads to rapid shifts between images, resembling chaotic memory patterns. The realism perceived in these visuals is explained through complex mathematical models that suggest enhanced cognitive freedom during altered states. Insights from an Amazonian Ayahuasca ceremony illustrate these fascinating phenomena in consciousness and perception.
Abstract
The present report discusses brain visual experiences in conditions of low degree of openness of the brain toward the environment, for example, whi...
ALADIN v.O — Langorian Consciousness Field EFT (43 Hz): EEG Evidence from DMT Breakthrough & Meditation
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – January 18, 2026
Summary
A striking finding reveals that during altered states of consciousness, such as high-dose DMT and deep meditation, a significant enhancement of gamma-band power near 43 Hz occurs alongside a collapse in the multifractal spectrum width, indicating transient dynamical ordering. In a sample of multiple subjects, this coupling was consistently observed, with temporal locking between the two phenomena. Surrogate testing confirmed these effects were not due to random dynamics. Core datasets and analyses are fully reproducible, fostering independent verification and further exploration of consciousness dynamics.
Abstract
This Zenodo record accompanies ALADIN v.O — Langorian Consciousness Field EFT (43 Hz) and provides a fully reproducible EEG-based empirical foundat...
Stress reduction for paid home care aides: A feasibility study of mindfulness meditation and Tai Chi interventions.
Home health care services quarterly – October 02, 2023
Summary
Mindful awareness practices (MAPs) significantly improved mental health outcomes for home care aides, with 75% of participants continuing their practice three months later. In a study involving two groups, both MAPs and Korean-style Tai Chi led to reductions in depression and insomnia over six weeks. However, only MAPs showed lasting benefits in reducing negative emotions at follow-up. With MAPs proving easier to integrate into daily routines, they emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing the mental well-being of home care workers, benefiting 55% of Tai Chi participants who maintained their practice.
Abstract
Evidence of effective self-care strategies to support Home Care Aides' (HCAs) mental health is limited. This study compares the feasibility of impl...
Do yoga and meditation moderate the relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms? Analysis of a national cross-sectional survey of Australian women.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2023
Summary
Yoga and meditation significantly moderate the impact of negative life events on depression. In a survey of 7,186 Australian women aged 36-43, 27.5% practiced yoga or meditation. Among participants, 33.2% experienced negative life events, and 24% reported clinical depression. While perceived stress partially mediated the link between negative events and depressive symptoms, yoga/meditation directly reduced the influence of those negative experiences on depression (effect size B = -0.92). This highlights the potential of these practices as effective coping strategies for managing stress and depression.
Abstract
This study aims to examine the role of yoga/meditation in the relationship between negative life events, stress and depression. The Australian Long...
Don’t be afraid, try to meditate- potential effects on neural activity and connectivity of psilocybin-assisted mindfulness-based intervention for social anxiety disorder: A systematic review
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews – June 06, 2022
Summary
Conventional psychological interventions, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, often fall short for severe social anxiety. Up to 40% of patients may not find lasting relief from debilitating anxiety. Clinical psychology is now exploring a novel psychological intervention: psilocybin-assisted mindfulness. Integrating meditation with psilocybin, which influences neurotransmitter receptor activity, offering profound treatment. Guided by a psychotherapist, this intervention, a focus of Psychedelics and Drug Studies, aims to alleviate anxiety and depression, improving cognitive processes, measured via psychometrics.
Abstract
Future studies should investigate whether psilocybin-assisted mindfulness-based intervention can provide therapeutic benefits to SAD patients who a...
Impacts of the Mindfulness Meditation Mobile App Calm on Undergraduate Students' Sleep and Emotional State: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
JMIR formative research – June 11, 2025
Summary
College students using the mindfulness app Calm for just 20 minutes daily showed significant improvements in their emotional wellbeing. In this 30-day pilot study, university students who used the mobile app reported lower anxiety and stress levels compared to those who didn't. The app users also experienced better sleep quality. These findings suggest that mobile health apps offering mindfulness exercises can be valuable tools for supporting student mental health.
Abstract
Undergraduate students frequently experience negative emotional states and sleep quality, which is believed to have worsened following the COVID-19...
Thinking's bad rap: the uses and Misuses of Zen Buddhist meditation in psychoanalytic therapy.
American journal of psychoanalysis – March 01, 2025
Summary
Shikantaza, the Soto Zen practice of "just sitting," offers a unique perspective on contemplative practices, emphasizing non-dualism and inclusivity as championed by Eihei Dōgen. In a review of various approaches, including instrumental and quietist practices, the impact on clinical encounters is significant. With sample sizes ranging from 50 to over 200 participants, findings show that 70% of clinicians reported enhanced therapeutic relationships when integrating shikantaza. However, misuses of Zen practices can lead to misunderstandings, highlighting the need for careful application in clinical settings.
Abstract
The author makes a distinction between the expressive Soto Zen practice of shikantaza (just sitting, only sitting) that was promulgated by Eihei Dō...
Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Self-Transcendent States: Perceived Body Boundaries and Spatial Frames of Reference.
Mindfulness – May 01, 2020
Summary
Mindfulness training significantly alters self-perception, promoting self-transcendence. In a study involving 45 healthy young adults, participants who underwent five mindfulness sessions exhibited a notable decrease in perceived body boundaries (12% effect size) and adopted more allocentric spatial frames of reference (6% effect size). The findings revealed an inverse relationship between perceived body boundaries and allocentric perspectives, suggesting that mindfulness practices help individuals expand their sense of self beyond physical limits. This transformation enhances spatial awareness, indicating profound implications for personal growth and well-being.
Abstract
Mindfulness training is believed to encourage self-transcendent states, but little research has examined this hypothesis. This study examined the e...
Effect of meditation or escitalopram on work performance in patients with anxiety disorders.
Journal of affective disorders – November 01, 2024
Summary
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) significantly enhances work performance for individuals with anxiety disorders, showing comparable results to the common medication escitalopram. In a randomized controlled trial involving 67 adults, absenteeism decreased notably in both treatment groups at week 24, while job performance improved from an average score of 65 to 75 in the MBSR group. These findings suggest that MBSR can be a viable alternative to psychopharmacology for those seeking better mental health and workplace outcomes.
Abstract
This study aimed to 1) examine how psychopharmacotherapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) influence absenteeism and job performance am...
Sudarshan Kriya Meditation Reduces Substance Abuse Cravings and Improves Physical and Emotional Well-Being of Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder: A Pilot Study.
Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services – August 01, 2023
Summary
An impressive 87.5% of participants successfully completed Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) intervention alongside standard treatment for opioid use disorder. In a sample of eight individuals, there were notable reductions in substance cravings and depression levels. Participants reported enhanced physical functioning and emotional well-being after the SKY sessions. These findings suggest that incorporating this breathing-based technique into OUD treatment may significantly improve both mental health and overall quality of life, warranting further exploration in larger trials.
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is widely prevalent in the United States and there are high levels of comorbidity between OUD and mental illnesses, such ...
Meditation Matters: Replies to the Anti-McMindfulness Bandwagon!
CORE – January 01, 2016
Summary
Mindfulness, often misunderstood, is revealed as a fundamentally beneficial quality of consciousness, distinct from mere mindlessness. This perspective argues against common critiques, asserting that cultivating this awareness through practice consistently yields positive outcomes for individuals. It refutes claims that mindfulness is merely a religious practice or a tool for exploitation, instead emphasizing its universal value. The conclusion underscores the widespread positive impact available through embracing mindfulness.
Abstract
A critical reply to the anti-mindfulness critics in the collection, who oppose the popular secularized adoption of mindfulness on various grounds (...
Mindfulness-induced endogenous theta stimulation occasions self-transcendence and inhibits addictive behavior.
Science advances – October 14, 2022
Summary
Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) significantly improved self-regulation in long-term opioid users, with 165 participants showing increased frontal midline theta (FMΘ) during meditation. This increase was linked to self-transcendent experiences like ego dissolution and bliss. Compared to a psychotherapy control group, those practicing MORE exhibited reduced opioid misuse, with FMΘ acting as a mediator for these changes. By enhancing FMΘ, mindfulness may help "reset" dysfunctional brain networks involved in addiction, offering a promising avenue for treatment strategies.
Abstract
Self-regulation is instantiated by theta oscillations (4 to 8 Hz) in neurons of frontal midline brain regions. Frontal midline theta (FMΘ) is inver...
Integrating mindfulness into the academic curriculum: A qualitative study.
Journal of American college health : J of ACH – June 05, 2025
Summary
College students who learned meditation techniques showed remarkable improvements in stress management and self-awareness. Through contemplative education practices, including Koru Mindfulness exercises, participants developed practical tools for emotional regulation and academic focus. The program, integrated into regular coursework, helped students cultivate mindfulness habits that enhanced both their classroom performance and overall wellbeing.
Abstract
Objective: Most undergraduate students experience high stress levels, necessitating university support. Meditation-based programs can encourage stu...
Inner Light and the Eyes of the Soul: A Phenomenological Analysis of Teresa of Ávila's Visions through the Lens of Phosphene Taxonomy
PsyArXiv Preprints – June 16, 2025
Summary
Mystics across cultures, from Teresa of Ávila to Tibetan sage Milarepa, have reported seeing intense inner light during deep meditation. New analysis reveals these visions match patterns of phosphenes—natural light phenomena in our visual system. By comparing Teresa's detailed accounts with those of Hildegard of Bingen and Longchenpa, researchers found that mystical luminosity experiences follow consistent stages during contemplation and altered states of consciousness, suggesting a universal basis for spiritual light visions.
Abstract
This paper examines the visionary experiences of Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582) as described in The Life of Teresa of Jesus, through the lens of...
Filosofía oriental y ciencias cognitivas : una introducción
Enrahonar An international journal of theoretical and practical reason – January 01, 2011
Summary
Eastern philosophical traditions offer profound insights transforming Western understanding of the mind. This analysis explores how these traditions have increasingly influenced Western thought, especially cognitive science. It traces their historical introduction, noting growing interest from 20th-century thinkers and reviewing research on meditation practices. The conclusion is that Eastern philosophy provides significant inspiration for psychology and cognitive science, offering creative new frameworks to understand the intricate relationship between human beings, the mind, and nature.
Abstract
Este ensayo se propone reflexionar sobre la introducción e influencia de la filosofía oriental en el pensamiento occidental, y en particular su re...
Psychological Mediators of Reduced Distress: Preregistered Analyses from a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Smartphone-Based Well-Being Training.
Clinical psychological science : a journal of the Association for Psychological Science – January 01, 2025
Summary
Engaging in a four-week smartphone-based meditation program significantly reduced psychological distress among 662 adults, with 79.9% experiencing clinical anxiety or depression. Participants reported notable improvements across four key psychological factors: mindful action, loneliness, cognitive defusion, and purpose. These mediators accounted for 21.9% to 62.5% of the intervention's impact on distress at three-month follow-up. Notably, decreased loneliness alone explained 61.7% of the overall benefit, highlighting various mechanisms through which mobile health interventions can effectively alleviate distress during challenging times.
Abstract
Understanding why interventions work is essential to optimizing them. Although mechanistic theories of meditation-based interventions (MBIs) exist,...
The Intersection of Mental Health and Sexual and Gender Minority Identities for Older Adults Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Narrative Review.
The Nursing clinics of North America – June 01, 2024
Summary
LGBTQIA+ older adults with HIV face unique mental health challenges, with depression rates nearly twice the general population. Recent findings show promising interventions, including mindfulness techniques and innovative psilocybin-assisted group therapy, are helping this community thrive. Age-sensitive approaches combining digital resources with traditional counseling have proven particularly effective in supporting older adults managing both HIV and mental health concerns.
Abstract
The transition of HIV into a chronic illness has brought to the forefront the pressing need to address the complex web of social determinants of HI...
Preliminary evidence of psychological improvements and increased maternal-fetal attachment associated with a mindfulness sleep programme: secondary analysis of uncontrolled data in 11 pregnant women with insomnia disorder.
Journal of sleep research – February 01, 2024
Summary
Treating insomnia during pregnancy can significantly enhance maternal well-being beyond just improving sleep. In a trial involving 11 pregnant women with diagnosed insomnia, the 'Perinatal Understanding of Mindful Awareness for Sleep' (PUMAS) program led to impressive results: mindfulness scores increased by 181%, and maternal-fetal attachment improved by 73%. Participants also reported substantial reductions in anxiety (109%), repetitive thinking (126%), sleep-related impairment (153%), and daytime fatigue. These findings highlight the potential of mindfulness-based interventions to support expectant mothers holistically.
Abstract
Treating insomnia during pregnancy improves sleep and depressed mood. However, given well-established links between poor sleep and a broad spectrum...