Check out this answer from Consensus:
The evidence suggests that meditation can trigger changes in the brain, particularly in terms of functional and electrophysiological dynamics. While structural changes are less consistently reported, the functional and cognitive benefits of meditation are well-supported. Further research using rigorous methodologies is needed to fully understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these changes and their clinical applications.
Meditation has been practiced for centuries, often touted for its benefits on mental and physical health. Recent scientific investigations have sought to understand the underlying changes in the brain associated with meditation. This article explores whether meditation triggers changes in the brain by reviewing findings from various research studies.
Brain Structure and Function
Structural Changes
Research on the structural changes in the brain due to meditation has yielded mixed results. A systematic review and meta-analysis of morphometric neuroimaging studies found that meditation is associated with alterations in several brain regions, including those involved in meta-awareness, body awareness, memory, and emotion regulation3. However, a large, rigorously controlled study failed to replicate these findings, showing no evidence of structural changes in the brain following an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program2.
Functional Changes
Functional changes in the brain due to meditation are more consistently reported. A review and meta-analysis of 78 functional neuroimaging studies identified distinct patterns of brain activation and deactivation associated with different meditation practices, such as focused attention, mantra recitation, and open monitoring4. These changes are congruent with the psychological and behavioral aims of each practice, suggesting that meditation can modulate brain function in specific ways.
Electrophysiological Changes
EEG Studies
Electroencephalogram (EEG) studies have provided insights into the electrophysiological changes associated with meditation. Long-term meditators have been shown to self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during meditation, indicating enhanced neural synchrony and integration8. Another study found that meditation training led to changes in the spontaneous electrophysiological dynamics of functional brain networks, correlating with increased mindful awareness and mental calm6.
Neural Oscillations
Different forms of meditation are associated with distinct neural oscillatory patterns. Focused attention and open monitoring meditation practices are linked to increases in anterior theta and posterior alpha activity, while gamma activity shows variable increases across different brain regions9. These oscillatory changes may underlie the cognitive and therapeutic effects of meditation.
Cognitive and Emotional Benefits
Meditation has been shown to enhance cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and emotional regulation. A study on non-experienced meditators found that 8 weeks of daily meditation improved mood, attention, working memory, and reduced anxiety10. These findings suggest that even short-term meditation practice can lead to significant cognitive and emotional benefits.
Clinical Implications
The neurobiological changes associated with meditation have potential clinical implications. Meditation has been found to reduce stress-related autonomic and endocrine measures and up-regulate brain regions involved in affect regulation and attention control7. These changes may contribute to the effectiveness of meditation in treating psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Does meditation trigger changes in the brain?
Michael Posner has answered Likely
An expert from University of Oregon in Neuropsychology
There is evidence that mindfulness training can change some brain rhythms and also improve white matter after 2-4 weeks of training. These studies use scalp electrodes to measure brain rhythms and/or MRI to measure connectivity.
Tang, Y-Y et al (2019) Frontal theta activity and white matter plasticity following mindfulness meditation. Current Opinion in Psychology 28, 294-297
Does meditation trigger changes in the brain?
David Cregg has answered Likely
An expert from Ohio State University in Psychology
Yes, brain imaging studies have shown that mindfulness meditation creates physical changes in the brain over time, e.g., improving the ability to control attention and emotions using the pre-frontal cortex. However, ANY activity done over time creates changes in the brain, so this is not necessarily a unique aspect of meditation
Does meditation trigger changes in the brain?
Sara Lazar has answered Near Certain
An expert from Massachusetts General Hospital in Mindfulness, Neuroscience
Definitely yes!!
We and others have published multiple studies demonstrating meditation training related changes in brain structure and function. Furthermore, many of the brain changes have been shown to be related to changes in symptoms or behavior. The most evidence exists for the amygdala, which is an area of the brain important for emotion regulation. Changes in amygdala structure and function are related to decreases in stress and anxiety, as well as changes in performance on emotion tasks.
Does meditation trigger changes in the brain?
Alessio Matiz has answered Likely
An expert from University of Udine in Psychology, Religion, Electronics
Any activity carried out repeatedly leads to changes in the brain, thanks to its characteristic of neuroplasticity. Therefore, meditation, which is typically done every day, also triggers changes in the brain.
Does meditation trigger changes in the brain?
Shogo Kajimura has answered Near Certain
An expert from Kyoto Institute of Technology in Cognitive Science
Using a single-case experimental design with intensive longitudinal data, we examined the effect of mediation practice on intra-individual changes in the composition of whole-brain networks (Kajimura et al., 2020). The results showed that meditation (1) changed the community size (with a number of regions in the fronto-parietal control network being merged into the default mode network after meditation) and (2) led to instability in the community allegiance of the regions in the fronto-parietal control network. These results suggest that, in addition to altering specific functional connectivity, meditation leads to reconfiguration of whole-brain network architecture.
Does meditation trigger changes in the brain?
Yi-Yuan Tang has answered Likely
An expert from Texas Tech University in Cognitive Science, Neurobiology, Mindfulness
Yes, there are data showing this
Does meditation trigger changes in the brain?
Rachael Heckenberg has answered Likely
An expert from La Trobe University in Psychology, Mindfulness
Yes, mindfulness meditation is associated with changes in different brain regions (Gotink et al. 2016; Young et al 2018)
Does meditation trigger changes in the brain?
Marcelo Bigliassi has answered Likely
An expert from Florida International University in Psychophysiology, Sports Science, Neuroscience
The practice of meditation appears to induce important functional and structural changes in the brain. Some examples include the upregulation of low-frequency components of the power spectrum and increase in inter-hemispheric connectivity between frontal and temporal areas.