The Mindful Brain: A Systematic Review of the Neural Correlates of Trait Mindfulness.
Journal of cognitive neuroscience November 1, 2024 Isaac N Treves, Kannammai Pichappan, Jude Hammoud et al. 35 citations
Greater trait mindfulness, measured by self-report scales, is consistently linked with reduced amygdala reactivity to emotional stimuli, increased cortical thickness in frontal and insular regions, and decreased connectivity within the default-mode network, converging with findings from intervention studies and mindfulness experts. However, associations with EEG metrics and between-network resting-state fMRI remain inconclusive. The authors recommend larger samples, multivariate approaches, and careful reliability testing, urging a move away from simplistic explanations of mindfulness and brain function.