This review synthesizes evidence on the relationship between resting-state fMRI functional connectivity and mindfulness in both clinical and non-clinical populations. The authors find that mindfulness practice is associated with altered functional connectivity in brain networks involved in attention, self-referential processing, and emotion regulation. These changes may underlie the psychological benefits of mindfulness, but the review notes that the current evidence is mixed and limited by heterogeneous methodologies and small sample sizes.
Lucid dreaming, where the dreamer becomes aware of being in a dream and often gains control over it, can occur spontaneously or be induced by behavioral, cognitive, or technological methods. This review examines evidence linking lucid dreaming to conditions such as nightmare disorder, depression, anxiety, psychosis, and dissociative states, and discusses possible neurobiological bases for these associations. It also explores contemplative sleep practices like Dream/Sleep Yoga and Yoga Nidrâ that train lucid states during sleep. Potential drawbacks of lucid dreaming interventions are outlined, along with impacts on individuals without clinical conditions, contributing to understanding its therapeutic possibilities and implications.
Ketamine's rapid anti-suicidal effects may stem from a unified mechanism that addresses both psychological pain (psychache) and neuroplasticity. The proposed rescue-repair model suggests ketamine first alleviates intense emotional distress by modulating brain circuits involved in mood and cognition, then promotes neural repair and connectivity changes that sustain symptom relief. This framework integrates psychological and neurobiological perspectives, offering a more complete explanation for how a single drug can quickly reduce suicidal thoughts while also fostering long-term brain health.