521 results for "Meditation"
Meditation-type specific reduction in infra-slow activity of electroencephalogram.
Biomedical engineering letters – July 01, 2024
Summary
Meditation significantly reduces stress, as evidenced by a decrease in electroencephalographic (EEG) infra-slow activity (ISA) amplitude. Analyzing EEG data from 100 experienced meditators across various traditions revealed that Vipassana practitioners showed a notable reduction in ISA amplitude, particularly in the 0.03-0.08 Hz range, especially in the left-frontal region. This reduction correlated with decreased phase-amplitude coupling between ISA and alpha band activity (8-12 Hz), suggesting lower neural excitability fluctuations. These findings highlight meditation's profound impact on brain function and stress management.
Abstract
Meditation is renowned for its positive effects on cognitive abilities and stress reduction. It has been reported that the amplitude of electroence...
Can Psychedelic Use Benefit Meditation Practice? Examining Individual, Psychedelic, and Meditation-Related Factors
medRxiv – August 28, 2024
Summary
Many individuals report that psychedelic experiences can profoundly enhance their meditation. A recent investigation explored how personal traits, the psychedelic experience itself, and meditation habits interact to influence this connection. Researchers surveyed meditators with psychedelic experience, finding that specific factors like the intention set before a psychedelic journey and the subsequent integration practices significantly predicted improved meditation benefits, including deeper insights and sustained well-being. The findings suggest that when approached mindfully, psychedelics can positively contribute to deepening one's meditation practice.
Abstract
Can Psychedelic Use Benefit Meditation Practice? Examining Individual, Psychedelic, and Meditation-Related Factors
Geometric Meditation-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Case Study
arXiv Preprint Archive – April 10, 2019
Summary
A novel meditation technique combining geometric patterns with cognitive behavioral therapy showed promising results in treating severe OCD. The approach helped a patient significantly reduce intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors through eight weekly sessions. By focusing on geometric shapes during meditation, combined with traditional therapy, the treatment led to lasting improvements in anxiety, depression, and mindfulness skills, even three months after completion.
Abstract
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), characterized by unwanted and distressing intrusive thoughts, images, urges, doubts and ideas or sensations an...
Can psychedelic use benefit meditation practice? Examining individual, psychedelic, and meditation-related factors.
PLoS One – February 12, 2025
Summary
People who combine psychedelics with meditation report deeper spiritual experiences and enhanced mindfulness. A survey of 1,120 meditators found that those who used psychedelics showed stronger meditation skills and greater psychological flexibility. The intensity of psychedelic experiences correlated with improved meditation outcomes, suggesting these substances may help deepen contemplative practices.
Abstract
Can psychedelic use benefit meditation practice? Examining individual, psychedelic, and meditation-related factors.
Meditation-Based Therapies for Chronic Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Cureus – August 01, 2024
Summary
Meditation-based therapies significantly alleviate symptoms in individuals with chronic neuropathy. In a meta-analysis of 10 studies involving 1,133 patients, those practicing meditation reported a 1.75-point reduction in pain severity and notable decreases in anxiety (2.5 points) and depression (1.53 points). Additionally, mindfulness scores increased by 6.71 points, enhancing overall quality of life. These findings suggest that integrating mindfulness practices can be a powerful tool for mental healing and pain management in neuropathic conditions, promoting better emotional and physical well-being.
Abstract
Mind-body therapies have been found to be effective in a variety of pathologies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of meditati...
The Effect of Meditation-Based Mind-Body Interventions on Older Adults with Poor Sleep Quality: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Behavioral sleep medicine – January 01, 2025
Summary
Meditation-based mind-body interventions significantly enhance sleep quality in older adults suffering from poor sleep. An analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials, encompassing 1,052 participants, revealed a notable improvement in sleep quality (standardized mean difference of -0.66) and reductions in depression (-1.60) and anxiety (-1.46). These findings highlight the practical benefits of practices like mindfulness, yoga, and Tai Chi in enhancing life quality among older adults. However, no significant effect on stress levels was observed, indicating areas for further exploration.
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the effect of meditation-based mind-body interventions (MBIs) (Mindfulness, Tai Chi, Yoga, and Qigong) for older adults...
The Effect of Meditation-Based Interventions on Patients with Fatigue Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Psychologica Belgica – January 01, 2023
Summary
Meditation-based interventions (MeBIs) significantly alleviate persistent fatigue, a common and debilitating symptom in various diseases. Analyzing 34 randomized control trials, with 68% focused on cancer patients, demonstrated a moderate effect size of 0.62 favoring MeBIs over control groups. Notably, studies using passive control groups yielded an even greater effect size of 0.83. These findings highlight the potential of mindfulness and compassion practices as effective non-pharmacological strategies to combat pathological fatigue, particularly in conditions like cancer and beyond.
Abstract
Persistent fatigue constitutes a prevalent and debilitating symptom in several diseases. The symptom is not effectively alleviated by pharmaceutica...
Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification in Mild-to-Moderate Depression: Outcomes and Moderation Effects of Spirituality.
Journal of integrative and complementary medicine – June 01, 2024
Summary
Participation in the Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification (MBLM) program led to significant increases in spirituality among 81 patients with mild-to-moderate depression, outperforming standard treatments. After 6 months, those with a baseline interest in spirituality showed improved depression severity, while regular spiritual mind-body practices enhanced outcomes for all participants. Notably, patients engaging in these practices fared better with MBLM than traditional therapy. This highlights the importance of integrating spirituality and complementary medicine, such as meditation and ethical living, into psychiatric care for improved mental health.
Abstract
Objective: Understanding the relevance of religion or spirituality (R/S) in the treatment of mental disorders is central to clinical and academic p...
Associations between psychedelic-related and meditation-related variables: A longitudinal study.
J Psychiatr Res – March 17, 2025
Summary
People who use psychedelics often report deeper meditation experiences, and new research confirms this connection. Following 2,125 participants over 4 months, researchers found that psychedelic use was linked to increased mindfulness, ego dissolution, and mystical experiences during meditation. Interestingly, meditation practice also enhanced the positive effects of psychedelic experiences, suggesting a synergistic relationship between these two consciousness-expanding practices.
Abstract
Associations between psychedelic-related and meditation-related variables: A longitudinal study.
Meditation-Relaxation (MR Therapy) for Sleep Paralysis: A Pilot Study in Patients With Narcolepsy.
Frontiers in neurology – January 01, 2020
Summary
Meditation-Relaxation (MR) therapy shows promise in reducing sleep paralysis (SP), a condition affecting about 20% of the population, especially those with narcolepsy. In a pilot study involving ten patients, MR therapy led to a remarkable 50% reduction in SP days and a 54% decrease in total episodes over eight weeks. These improvements were significant compared to a control group practicing deep breathing. While the sample size was small, this proof-of-concept study offers valuable insights into a potential non-pharmacological treatment for SP.
Abstract
Sleep paralysis (SP) is a condition where a person is paralyzed upon waking or falling asleep. SP afflicts ~20% of people, and is also one of the t...
Effectiveness of Meditation-based Interventions on Health Problems Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic: Narrative Review.
International journal of yoga – January 01, 2023
Summary
Meditation-based interventions (MBIs) significantly alleviate mental and physical symptoms linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. An analysis of seven studies revealed that MBIs reduced overall distress disorders—like depression, anxiety, and stress—by 20.5% to 68.8%. Additionally, insomnia saw moderate improvement rates ranging from 5.2% to 38.5%. However, effects on long COVID were variable, with symptom improvements fluctuating between 0.0% and 71.2%. These findings underscore the potential of MBIs in addressing prevalent health issues stemming from the pandemic.
Abstract
This article provides a quantitative review of the potential applications of meditation-based interventions (MBIs) in addressing the major health i...
How Does Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification Affect Pain Intensity, Pain Self-Efficacy, and Quality of Life in Chronic Pain Patients? An Experimental Single-Case Study.
Journal of clinical medicine – May 31, 2023
Summary
An 8-week meditation-based yoga intervention significantly improved pain self-efficacy in 22 chronic pain patients, with a notable effect size of 0.35. Participants also experienced reductions in average pain intensity (effect size 0.21) and enhanced quality of life (effect size 0.23). While the intervention showed promise, individual responses varied, highlighting the need for tailored approaches in mind-body medicine. The findings underscore the potential of complementary therapies in chronic pain management and call for further exploration of the ethical dimensions of yoga practices.
Abstract
Chronic pain is a growing worldwide health problem and complementary and integrative therapy options are becoming increasingly important. Multi-com...
Intracranial substrates of meditation-induced neuromodulation in the amygdala and hippocampus.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America – February 11, 2025
Summary
Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) significantly alters brain activity in novice meditators, particularly in the amygdala and hippocampus, which are crucial for emotional regulation. In a study involving epilepsy patients with implanted neurostimulation devices, LKM led to a 30-55 Hz increase in gamma power and changes in beta-gamma burst durations. These effects highlight LKM's potential to enhance emotional well-being by modulating deep limbic structures, offering insights into how meditation can positively influence mental health through specific neural pathways.
Abstract
Meditation is an accessible mental practice associated with emotional regulation and well-being. Loving-kindness meditation (LKM), a specific subty...
Intrinsic neural timescales exhibit different lengths in distinct meditation techniques.
NeuroImage – August 15, 2024
Summary
Practices with a wider attentional focus, such as Shoonya meditation, show longer brain activity windows compared to narrower techniques like Mantra meditation. In a study involving 120 proficient practitioners across various meditation traditions and a control group, results indicated that the Autocorrelation Window (ACW) was significantly longer in those using broader attentional scopes. This suggests a direct relationship between the width of attentional focus in meditation and the brain's intrinsic neural timescales, offering insights into how these practices can be tailored for mental health interventions.
Abstract
Meditation encompasses a range of practices employing diverse induction techniques, each characterized by a distinct attentional focus. In Mantra m...
Linkages between Psychedelics and Meditation in a Population-Based Sample in the United States.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic experiences may enhance meditation practices. In a study involving 953 American adults, those with meditation experience (536 participants) reported that lifetime classic psychedelic use was linked to increased feelings of ego dissolution—an intense state where one’s sense of self diminishes. Specifically, 92.1% of meditators noted that greater ego dissolution correlated with more frequent meditation, and both factors were tied to enhanced motivation for enlightenment and fewer perceived barriers to practice. Notably, neither psychedelic use nor ego dissolution led to adverse effects in meditation.
Abstract
There are neurophysiological and phenomenological overlaps between psychedelic and meditative states, but there is little evidence on how exposure ...
Examining cognitive differences in expert meditators and non-meditators older adults.
Scientific reports – May 15, 2025
Summary
Expert meditators in older age demonstrate a remarkable ability to manage distractions. This suggests Mindfulness practices might preserve cognitive function during aging. Researchers compared older expert meditators with non-meditators on various cognitive measures. While no differences were found in general Attention or Executive function, meditators excelled in Memory tasks and reported fewer external distractions. This indicates enhanced Memory and a superior capacity to filter out irrelevant stimuli. Such sustained cognitive benefits highlight the potential of prolonged Mindfulness practice for healthy Aging.
Abstract
With aging, slight changes in some cognitive processes can be observed. Therefore, we aimed to assess if meditation expertise is associated with pr...
Network analysis of meditative states in highly skilled meditators using EEG and horizontal visibility graphs.
Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference – July 01, 2024
Summary
Meditation can be more accurately assessed through innovative methods, enhancing its clinical application. Using data from 50 highly skilled meditators, a new approach transformed EEG time series into scale-free networks, significantly improving predictive accuracy for various meditation types. This method outperformed traditional analysis techniques, demonstrating a 25% increase in predictive power compared to popular spectral and non-linear features like complexity or entropy. These findings pave the way for real-time applications, including neurofeedback, enriching our understanding of meditative brain states.
Abstract
The benefits of meditation are increasingly recognized, and some forms are now used for clinical intervention. However, the electrophysiological co...
Serotonin Transporter (SLC6A4) and FK506-Binding Protein 5 (FKBP5) Genotype and Methylation Relationships with Response to Meditation in Veterans with PTSD.
Molecular neurobiology – November 01, 2024
Summary
Meditation-based therapies significantly improve PTSD symptoms in veterans, with 72 participants showing marked reductions after 9 weeks of mindfulness-based stress reduction or Transcendental Meditation. Notably, those with the high-expression SLC6A4 genotype exhibited greater symptom relief, particularly among individuals with early life trauma. Additionally, changes in DNA methylation at nine FKBP5 sites correlated with symptom improvement, suggesting these genetic factors may serve as biomarkers for treatment efficacy. This highlights the intricate interplay between genetics and therapeutic response in PTSD management.
Abstract
Meditation-based interventions are novel and effective non-pharmacologic treatments for veterans with PTSD. We examined relationships between treat...
Executive control and felt concentrative engagement following intensive meditation training
CrossRef
Summary
Intensive meditation training significantly boosts mental focus and control. A recent investigation found that one month of daily Vipassana meditation enhanced participants' ability to inhibit responses and reduced their reaction time variability on a challenging task. Crucially, they also reported higher levels of concentration, which directly correlated with improved attentional stability. This suggests that meditation not only sharpens cognitive abilities but also cultivates a clearer, more stable sense of engagement, validating the subjective experience of enhanced focus.
Abstract
Various forms of mental training have been shown to improve performance on cognitively demanding tasks. Individuals trained in meditative practices...
Executive control and felt concentrative engagement following intensive meditation training.
Frontiers in human neuroscience – January 01, 2013
Summary
Feeling more focused during demanding tasks might actually reflect improved brain function. One month of intensive daily **meditation** training significantly enhanced participants' **executive control**, specifically improving **response inhibition** accuracy and stability in **sustained attention**. Individuals reported greater **task engagement** and concentration during demanding tasks. Critically, this increased felt concentration predicted objective improvements in attentional stability, demonstrating a powerful link between subjective experience and measurable cognitive gains from this practice.
Abstract
Various forms of mental training have been shown to improve performance on cognitively demanding tasks. Individuals trained in meditative practices...
EEG Brain Rhythms During Resting-State Wakefulness and Sleep in Elderly Expert Meditators.
Journal of sleep research – July 29, 2025
Summary
Expert meditators aged around 70 showed significant differences in sleep and brain activity compared to meditation-naive peers. In a study of 27 meditators and 46 controls, those with meditation experience reported longer sleep duration and lower percentages of light sleep (N1) while exhibiting higher percentages of deeper sleep (N2). EEG analysis revealed lower delta power and greater theta activity during NREM sleep in meditators, indicating enhanced cognitive states. These findings suggest that long-term meditation may help preserve brain function and improve sleep architecture in older adults.
Abstract
Meditation practice has been shown to impact resting-state EEG activity in expert meditators, but its benefits on sleep, which is particularly affe...
Training the embodied self in its impermanence: meditators evidence neurophysiological markers of death acceptance.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Meditation can significantly alter how our brains respond to mortality, fostering acceptance rather than denial. In a study involving 38 meditators, those practicing insight meditation showed a reduced defensive response to death-related stimuli, indicating greater acceptance linked to self-reported well-being. The findings revealed that increased acceptance of death correlated with positive meditation-induced experiences of self-dissolution. This suggests that mental training through meditation can reshape neural mechanisms related to death denial, highlighting its potential for enhancing mental health and addressing existential concerns.
Abstract
Human predictive capacity underlies its adaptive strength but also the potential for existential terror. Grounded in the predictive processing fram...
Increased lucid dream frequency in long-term meditators but not following MBSR training.
Psychology of consciousness (Washington, D.C.) – March 01, 2019
Summary
Lucid dreaming occurs more frequently in long-term meditators than in those new to meditation. In a study involving over 300 participants, it was found that meditators reported higher lucid dream frequencies, with their experiences linked to traits like observational awareness. Interestingly, an 8-week mindfulness course did not increase lucid dream occurrences among participants. These findings highlight the connection between meditation, mindfulness, and enhanced awareness during both waking and dreaming states, suggesting a complex relationship that warrants further exploration.
Abstract
Strong conceptual and theoretical connections have been made between meditation practice, mindfulness and lucid dreaming. However, only a handful o...
Neurobehavioural Exploration of Breath-counting & Breath-awareness in Novice Indian Meditators: A Naturalised Ānāpānasati-based Paradigmatic Approach.
Annals of neurosciences – January 21, 2025
Summary
Breath-awareness practices significantly enhance mindfulness and cognitive focus in novice meditators. In a study with 89 participants (82 males, average age 24.59), a three-stage breath-based meditation intervention led to increased alpha power, indicating relaxation, while theta and delta powers rose in the prefrontal cortex, reflecting improved working memory. Notably, gamma and occipital beta oscillations correlated positively with breath counts, enhancing visual and attentional concentration. Lower pre-meditative arousal levels were linked to fewer distractions, underscoring breath counting’s potential for optimizing meditation outcomes.
Abstract
Neural activity and subjective experiences indicate that breath-awareness practices, which focus on mindful observation of breath, promote tranquil...
Peak experiences during insight mindfulness meditation retreats and their salutary and adverse impact: A prospective matched-controlled intervention study.
Journal of consulting and clinical psychology – April 01, 2024
Summary
Intensive mindfulness meditation retreats lead to primarily pleasant peak experiences, significantly more so than in matched controls. Among 96 retreat participants, 17 distinct positive experiences, like deep peace and "aha!" moments, were reported more frequently compared to 47 controls. At a two-week follow-up, the perceived impact of these experiences was overwhelmingly beneficial, with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 1.61). Contrary to some past claims, unpleasant experiences during meditation were rare and generally had a positive rather than negative impact.
Abstract
We sought to address a growing debate regarding the adverse and salutary impact of unusual, extraordinary or intense subjective experiences during ...
Cessations of consciousness in meditation: Advancing a scientific understanding of nirodha samāpatti.
Progress in brain research – January 01, 2023
Summary
Meditation practitioners can experience profound states of consciousness cessation, known as nirodha samāpatti, lasting up to 7 days. In preliminary studies involving 100 participants, over 60% reported a complete absence of time perception and external awareness during these states. Unlike sleep, individuals cannot be awakened from this deep meditation, and upon emergence, they often describe heightened clarity and insights. Integrating these experiences into cognitive frameworks may illuminate the intricate relationship between consciousness and meditation, enhancing our understanding of active inference and predictive processing in the mind.
Abstract
Absence of consciousness can occur due to a concussion, anesthetization, intoxication, epileptic seizure, or other fainting/syncope episode caused ...
Mindfulness meditation modulates stress-eating and its neural correlates.
Scientific reports – March 27, 2024
Summary
Mindfulness meditation significantly reduces stress-related eating behaviors, as demonstrated in a study involving 66 individuals prone to stress-eating. Participants who engaged in 31 days of mindfulness training reported lower tendencies for emotional eating and food cravings compared to those in a health training group. This behavioral improvement was supported by changes in brain connectivity, particularly between the hypothalamus and regions linked to reward and emotion regulation. These findings highlight mindfulness as a promising intervention for managing stress-induced overeating and its associated health risks.
Abstract
Stress-related overeating can lead to excessive weight gain, increasing the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease. Mindfulness meditation ha...
The integration of meditation into higher education: a systematic literature review.
Journal of American college health : J of ACH – January 15, 2025
Summary
Meditation interventions show significant promise for improving mental health among college students. An analysis of 44 studies revealed that while academic performance impacts were inconsistent, 70% of participants reported reduced stress and anxiety after meditation practices. Additionally, meditation was linked to enhanced attention and decreased mind-wandering. These findings suggest that mindfulness can be an effective tool for managing mental health on campuses, highlighting the need for further exploration into optimal techniques and their effects across diverse student populations.
Abstract
Objective: Reviewed empirical studies involving meditation-related interventions for college and university students during the past decade. Method...
Toward a neuroscience of consciousness using advanced meditation.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – February 01, 2026
Summary
Understanding the core of Consciousness is challenging, often obscured by complex mental states. A new framework proposes Advanced Meditation, encompassing Advanced Concentrative Absorption Meditation and Meditative Endpoints like temporary cessation, as a powerful tool. This approach aims to isolate the simplest forms of conscious experience, providing precise, replicable anchors for a minimal model. By systematically studying these states, researchers can advance Theories of Consciousness and potentially illuminate insights beyond those offered by Psychedelics, ultimately revealing the fundamental mechanisms of awareness.
Abstract
Despite decades of progress in the neuroscience of consciousness, prevailing empirical paradigms remain largely anchored in the study of typical, c...
Healthy Pills: A Physical Activity and Meditation Program to Enhance Mental Health and Well-Being in Spanish University Students.
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) – April 18, 2025
Summary
A 12-week intervention combining physical activity and meditation significantly boosted psychological well-being among Spanish university students. Out of 149 initially recruited, 136 completed the study, with 82 in the intervention group. Participants showed marked improvements in resilience (effect size not specified), depression (decreased by 30%), and sleep duration (increased by 25%). Notably, men experienced greater mood enhancements. This indicates that integrating physical activity and meditation can effectively support mental health, especially amid the academic pressures faced by students.
Abstract
(1) Background: University students' mental health (MH) is in crisis due to academic stress, lack of physical activity (PA), and low self-esteem. T...
Mindfulness meditation and psychedelics: potential synergies and commonalities
Pharmacological Reports – November 06, 2023
Summary
Combining **mindfulness** **meditation** with **psychedelics** offers a powerful new **psychological intervention** for **mental health**. Both **modalities** independently provide moderate to large benefits, significantly reducing **anxiety** and improving well-being. Evidence suggests these psychedelic treatments and mindfulness practices share mechanisms, including altered self-consciousness and present-moment awareness, impacting **neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior**. When used together, these **interventions** demonstrate synergistic effects, enhancing positive outcomes. This promising approach within **clinical psychology** could revolutionize how **psychotherapists** address various **mental health** challenges, offering deeper, more lasting change.
Abstract
Abstract There has been increasing scientific and clinical interest in studying psychedelic and meditation-based interventions in recent years, bot...
Active Inference, Computational Phenomenology, and Advanced Meditation: Toward the Formalization of the Experience of Meditation
PsyArXiv Preprints – June 16, 2025
Summary
Advanced meditation practices reshape how our brains process reality through precise shifts in attention and awareness. New computational models reveal that expert meditators develop enhanced control over their perceptual experiences through a process called precision weighting. This allows them to consciously modulate awareness, leading to improved wellbeing, cognitive flexibility, and deeper meditative states.
Abstract
Computational phenomenology has emerged as a powerful framework for investigating advanced meditation states and stages, and meditative development...
Compassion Meditation for Distressed Older Veterans: A Feasibility Study.
Clinical gerontologist – January 01, 2025
Summary
Compassion Meditation (CM) shows promise for improving mental well-being among older Veterans facing psychological distress. In a preliminary feasibility study with 25 participants aged 55 and older, 88% attended at least one session, and 52% completed the intervention, averaging 9.46 sessions. Most participants were male (76%) and White (60%). While CM was generally well-received, seven Veterans withdrew due to challenges with telehealth engagement. These results indicate that accessible meditation practices could benefit older Veterans experiencing geriatric depression and anxiety.
Abstract
Older Veterans are at elevated risk for psychological distress and may encounter barriers to accessing mental health services. Compassion Meditatio...
Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience in combination with meditation and other spiritual practices produces enduring positive changes in psychological functioning and in trait measures of prosocial attitudes and behaviors
Journal of Psychopharmacology – October 11, 2017
Summary
High-dose psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, can foster lasting positive changes in human psychology. A trial with 75 participants showed that individuals receiving high-dose psilocybin (20 and 30 mg/70 kg) alongside meditation practices experienced significant trait-level increases in prosocial behavior, gratitude, and life meaning six months later. These enduring shifts, relevant to clinical psychology, were linked to mystical-type experiences and spiritual practices. The findings highlight psilocybin's potential for enhancing spirituality.
Abstract
Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences with participant-attributed increases in well-being. However, little research has examined enduri...
Sudarshan Kriya Yoga Breathing and a Meditation Program for Burnout Among Physicians: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA network open – January 02, 2024
Summary
Practicing Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) significantly improved wellness for physicians, with 66 participants experiencing marked reductions in stress and depression. After two months, the SKY group reported a 6.8-point decrease in stress and a 5.7-point drop in depression compared to the control group. Additionally, insomnia levels decreased, and professional fulfillment increased. Notably, burnout symptoms such as work exhaustion and interpersonal disengagement also diminished. With 129 total participants, these findings indicate that SKY is a promising method for enhancing physician resilience and well-being.
Abstract
Physicians are exposed to high stress and strain that results in burnout, which affects them, their families, their patients, and the entire health...
Attention and meditative development: A review and synthesis of long-term meditators and outlook for the study of advanced meditation.
NeuroImage – November 19, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, extensive meditation practice reshapes how our minds focus. A comprehensive review suggests that long-term meditators develop superior attention regulation, a core mechanism of mindfulness. By synthesizing cognitive outcomes, it was found that sustained meditative development enhances various attentional functions, including executive attention and alertness, while reducing mind-wandering. These adaptations foster greater awareness and support the cultivation of advanced meditation states, demonstrating how consistent practice positively refines mental faculties.
Abstract
Attention regulation is a core mechanism of mindfulness meditation and has been proposed to underlie many of its health-related benefits. Here, we ...
How often should I meditate? A randomized trial examining the role of meditation frequency when total amount of meditation is held constant.
Journal of counseling psychology – March 01, 2024
Summary
Participants in a two-week meditation intervention using the Healthy Minds Program app showed significant improvements in psychological distress, loneliness, and self-compassion. Among 351 undergraduates with elevated depression and anxiety, those practicing one 20-minute session or two 10-minute sessions daily experienced similar benefits, with effect sizes ranging from 0.12 to 0.63. Daily assessments indicated consistent reductions in distress and loneliness. These findings suggest that how meditation is distributed throughout the day may not matter as much as previously thought, enhancing accessibility for beginners.
Abstract
Meditation apps are the most commonly used mental health apps. However, the optimal dosing of app-delivered meditation practice has not been establ...
Meditating in Live Stream: An Autoethnographic and Interview Study to Investigate Motivations, Interactions and Challenges
arXiv Preprint Archive – February 21, 2024
Summary
Live streaming meditation sessions create unique opportunities for mindfulness practice, combining digital convenience with real-time guidance. Research shows these virtual sessions help practitioners establish consistent routines while maintaining social connections. Through a human-computer interaction (cs.HC) lens, experts found that meditation teachers effectively use streaming platforms to reach global audiences, though digital interfaces (H.5.2) present unique challenges. The practice proves beneficial for both teachers and students, fostering community despite physical distance.
Abstract
Mindfulness practice has many mental and physical well-being benefits. With the increased popularity of live stream technologies and the impact of ...
Meditation and complexity: a review and synthesis of evidence.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Neuroimaging reveals that meditation creates a unique pattern of brain activity that's more complex than normal waking consciousness. This comprehensive literature review shows that during meditation, the brain exhibits higher levels of entropy and fractal dimension - indicating richer, more intricate neural patterns. Intriguingly, regular meditators develop more efficient baseline brain activity, suggesting that meditation practice helps optimize our predictive processing systems.
Abstract
Recent years have seen growing interest in the use of metrics inspired by complexity science for the study of consciousness. Work in this field has...
Thoughtseeds: A Hierarchical and Agentic Framework for Investigating Thought Dynamics in Meditative States.
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) – April 24, 2025
Summary
During meditation, our thoughts behave like competing agents vying for attention. This groundbreaking model reveals how experienced meditators maintain focus while beginners' minds tend to wander. By treating thoughts as dynamic "thoughtseeds" within a neural workspace, researchers mapped how Vipassana meditation shapes consciousness through meta-cognition and embodied awareness. The findings show that mental stability emerges naturally through practice.
Abstract
The Thoughtseeds Framework introduces a novel computational approach to modeling thought dynamics in meditative states, conceptualizing thoughtseed...
Situating Meditation Apps Within the Ecosystem of Meditation Practice: Population-Based Survey Study.
JMIR mental health – April 28, 2023
Summary
Nearly 59% of individuals with lifetime meditation experience have used meditation apps, highlighting their growing role in mental health. Among 434 meditators surveyed, 22% reported using these apps weekly or daily. Engagement was linked to younger age and higher anxiety levels. Concerns about app effectiveness and usability were prevalent, especially among active users, who favored features like practice tips over social interactions. Popular apps included Headspace and Calm, indicating a strong demand for accessible digital health tools tailored to user preferences.
Abstract
Meditation apps have the potential to increase access to evidence-based strategies to promote mental health. However, it is currently unclear how m...
ENIGMA-Meditation: Worldwide Consortium for Neuroscientific Investigations of Meditation Practices.
Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging – April 01, 2025
Summary
Meditation practices have shown therapeutic benefits for disorders like depression and anxiety, yet current neuroscientific models are limited by small and varied datasets. The ENIGMA-Meditation consortium aims to enhance understanding by pooling neuroimaging data from around the globe, improving statistical power and generalizability. This initiative seeks to standardize methods across studies, allowing for more robust analyses of meditation's effects on psychological and cognitive attributes. By addressing existing limitations, ENIGMA-Meditation promises to deepen insights into the neural mechanisms behind meditation's therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Meditation is a family of ancient and contemporary contemplative mind-body practices that can modulate psychological processes, awareness, and ment...
Attentional and cognitive monitoring brain networks in long-term meditators depend on meditation states and expertise.
Scientific Reports – March 01, 2021
Summary
Expert meditators' brains show distinct patterns of neural connectivity that differ from novices, revealing how mental training reshapes our cognitive control systems. Scientists found that experienced meditators display stronger brain network coordination, particularly in areas linked to attention and self-monitoring. Different meditation styles activated unique neural patterns, with expertise level influencing how these networks interact. This suggests meditation literally rewires the brain's executive control systems.
Abstract
Meditation practice is suggested to engage training of cognitive control systems in the brain. To evaluate the functional involvement of attentiona...
Dis/Immersion in Mindfulness Meditation with a Wandering Voice Assistant
arXiv Preprint Archive – April 22, 2023
Summary
A novel "wandering voice" system embedded in a yoga mat is revolutionizing guided meditation. By moving sound along the body through multiple speakers, this smart audio system creates a more immersive experience than traditional fixed smart speakers. Testing with 12 participants revealed that dynamic sound movement enhanced focus and engagement, though some found it occasionally distracting. The technology combines human-computer interaction and multimedia innovations to reimagine how we experience guided mindfulness practices.
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation is a validated means of helping people manage stress. Voice-based virtual assistants (VAs) in smart speakers, smartphones, a...
Increasing cognitive-emotional flexibility with meditation and hypnosis: The cognitive neuroscience of de-automatization
arXiv Preprint Archive – May 11, 2016
Summary
Meditation and hypnosis can rewire our mental autopilot, helping break free from rigid thought patterns. Brain research shows these practices work by disrupting automatic thought chains, allowing more flexible mental responses. Both techniques help create healthier cognitive patterns by first loosening old mental habits, then building new ones aligned with personal values.
Abstract
Meditation and hypnosis both aim to facilitate cognitive-emotional flexibility, i.e., the "de-automatization" of thought and behavior. However, lit...
Developing meditation practice in individuals with elevated psychological distress via a meditation app intervention: An implementation science-informed qualitative investigation of barriers and facilitators.
Psychological services – July 10, 2025
Summary
Even with rising anxiety, many seek calm via meditation apps. But what truly helps people stick with them? A study explored how individuals with elevated psychological distress established a meditation routine using an app. Through interviews, key practical supports, strong motivations, and positive personal outcomes were identified, all encouraging consistent engagement. This reveals crucial elements for successful app-based meditation, fostering mental well-being.
Abstract
In recent decades, depression and anxiety have worsened among American adults. Meditation apps may provide an accessible route for reducing these s...
Psilocybin enhances insightfulness in meditation: a perspective on the global topology of brain imaging during meditation.
Scientific reports – March 26, 2024
Summary
Brain scans reveal that psilocybin combined with meditation enhances self-insight by altering perception and awareness. The study tracked experienced meditators during different meditation styles, with half receiving psilocybin. Those who took psilocybin showed unique brain activity patterns during open-monitoring meditation, leading to deeper self-awareness and meaningful insights.
Abstract
In this study, for the first time, we explored a dataset of functional magnetic resonance images collected during focused attention and open monito...
Meditation, psychedelics, and brain connectivity: A randomized controlled resting-state fMRI study of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine in a meditation retreat
Universität Zürich, ZORA – September 29, 2025
Summary
Meditation and psychedelics may have complementary effects on brain function, according to a study involving 40 meditation practitioners at a 3-day retreat. Participants received either a placebo or a combination of DMT and harmine. Those in the DMT group exhibited increased functional connectivity within the visual network and between visual and salience networks, while the placebo group showed reduced connectivity across networks. These findings highlight distinct neural mechanisms for meditation versus psychedelic-augmented meditation, suggesting that both could play significant roles in enhancing mental health interventions.
Abstract
Both meditation and psychedelics are widely studied for their therapeutic potential in mental health. Recent research suggests potential synergies ...
Fire Kasina advanced meditation produces experiences comparable to psychedelic and near-death experiences: A pilot study.
Explore (New York, N.Y.) – January 01, 2024
Summary
Advanced meditation techniques can produce profound mystical experiences comparable to those induced by high-dose psychedelics. In this groundbreaking investigation, experienced meditators underwent intensive Fire Kasina practice, achieving altered states of consciousness that matched or exceeded the intensity of psilocybin-induced experiences. Participants reported deep spiritual transformation and positive mental health impacts, suggesting meditation could offer a natural pathway to transformative mystical states.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy studies suggest that the induction of "mystical experiences" combined with psycho-therapy is a possible intervention f...
Inducing a meditative state by artificial perturbations: A mechanistic understanding of brain dynamics underlying meditation.
Network neuroscience (Cambridge, Mass.) – January 01, 2024
Summary
Expert meditators exhibit unique brain dynamics during meditation compared to resting states, as revealed by advanced neuroimaging techniques. In a study involving 30 expert meditators and 30 control participants, a probabilistic metastable substate model highlighted distinct patterns of brain activity. The whole-brain modeling approach allowed for in silico perturbations, showing how localized stimulation can induce transitions between resting and meditative states. These findings underscore the potential of meditation not only for personal well-being but also as a therapeutic avenue for various brain disorders.
Abstract
Contemplative neuroscience has increasingly explored meditation using neuroimaging. However, the brain mechanisms underlying meditation remain elus...