Meditation Can Alter the Brain

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A research shows that those who frequently meditate or do yoga have increased grey matter in four areas of the brain: the posterior cingulate, left hippocampus, pons, and temporoparietal junction. Due to these increase in sizes, those who routinely meditate have better memory, cognition, emotional regulation, and even reduced mind-wandering compared to those who do not meditate. Also, even when subjects were told to practice yoga for 40 minutes, there were variations in their compliance. People ended up meditating for only an average of 27 minutes each day, yet they still experienced brain changes that ultimately benefited them. Nevertheless, the researcher warned readers that although meditation can lead to wonderful outcomes for the body and people's well-being, it is not a cure-all intervention and more research has to be done to ensure all its effects and advantages.


The subject of mediation could not only be tied to cognitive psychology but also with clinical psychology. During meditation, people set aside their thoughts and troubles to become mindful of the present. Considering how fast-paced life is today, it would certainly be advantageous for people to practice some form of meditation to have balance in their lives. Through this, they become more experienced with controlling their attention, memory, and overall cognition. This could also be especially helpful for those who are anxiety-ridden, since it disenthralls them from their worries, even just for a couple of minutes a day.

Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2015/05/26/harvard-neuroscientist-meditation-not-only-reduces-stress-it-literally-changes-your-brain/?utm_term=.c6adead542ef

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