Potential contributions of research on meditation to the neuroscience of consciousness

Early neuroscientific research on meditation, though still in its infancy, promises to contribute to three key areas: neuroplasticity, revealing how brain circuits underlying complex mental functions respond to specific meditation techniques; mind-body interactions, uncovering mechanisms by which meditation training may benefit physical health; and subjectivity, where the introspective skills of experienced practitioners may illuminate the neural basis of subjective experience.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Exploring the initial findings of neuroscientific research on meditation, new horizons of further inquiry in consciousness research are apparent. While such studies of contemplative practices are still in their infancy, early findings promise to contribute in three key areas. These include: Neuroplasticity – physiological and psychological indices of short and long terms responses of the brain circuits that underlie complex mental functions associated with specific types of meditation techniques ; Mind body Interactions – revealing mechanisms by which such training may exert beneficial effects on physical health; and Subjectivity – well developed introspective skills of practitioners potentially shedding new light on the neural counterpart of subjectivity.