Perspectives on Psychological Science
October 14, 2011
Britta K. Hölzel, Sara W. Lazar, Tim Gard et al.
2,997 citations
Mindfulness meditation, the nonjudgmental awareness of present-moment experiences, improves well-being and reduces psychiatric and stress-related symptoms, leading to its integration into psychotherapeutic interventions. Despite a surge in publications, few theoretical reviews synthesize the literature into a comprehensive framework. This article explores four components through which mindfulness exerts its effects: attention regulation, body awareness, emotion regulation (including reappraisal, exposure, extinction, and reconsolidation), and a change in perspective on the self. Empirical research, including self-reports and experimental data, supports these mechanisms. Neuroimaging studies show mindfulness practice is associated with neuroplastic changes in the anterior cingulate cortex, insula, temporo-parietal junction, fronto-limbic network, and default mode network. The authors suggest these components work synergistically to enhance self-regulation, guiding future research and treatment development.
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
December 3, 2007
Britta K. Hölzel, Ulrich Ott, Tim Gard et al.
544 citations
Long-term mindfulness meditators show greater gray matter concentration in brain regions linked to interoceptive awareness and meditation, including the right anterior insula, left inferior temporal gyrus, and right hippocampus. In a comparison of 20 Vipassana meditators (averaging 8.6 years of practice, 2 hours daily) with matched non-meditators, the amount of meditation training predicted gray matter concentration in the left inferior temporal gyrus, suggesting a causal impact of practice. The findings indicate that meditation practice is associated with structural brain differences in areas typically activated during meditation and relevant to the task.
Psychological Bulletin
January 1, 2005
Dieter Vaitl, Niels Birbaumer, John Gruzelier et al.
446 citations
Altered states of consciousness (ASC) can occur spontaneously, be evoked by physical or physiological stimulation, induced by psychological means, or caused by diseases. Psychological and neurobiological approaches reveal four dimensions characterizing ASC: activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics. Neurophysiologically, different states of consciousness arise from compromised brain structure, transient changes in brain dynamics (disconnectivity), and neurochemical and metabolic processes. Environmental stimuli, mental practices, and self-control techniques can also temporarily alter brain functioning and conscious experience.
Cerebral Cortex
December 15, 2011
Tim Gard, Britta K. Hölzel, Alexander T. Sack et al.
275 citations
Pain can be modulated by mindfulness, but the underlying brain mechanisms differ from those of other cognitive techniques. Mindfulness practitioners reduced pain unpleasantness by 22% and anticipatory anxiety by 29% during a mindful state, while controls did not. In the brain, this reduction was associated with decreased activation in the lateral prefrontal cortex and increased activation in the right posterior insula during stimulation, and increased rostral anterior cingulate cortex activation during pain anticipation. These findings indicate a unique mechanism of pain modulation involving increased sensory processing and decreased cognitive control, contrasting with established mechanisms.
American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B Neuropsychiatric Genetics
June 17, 2005
Ulrich Ott, Martin Reuter, Juergen Hennig et al.
96 citations
The personality trait Absorption—a disposition for altered states of consciousness involving focused attention, vivid imagery, and mystical experiences—is linked to a specific genetic variation. People with the T/T genotype of the T102C polymorphism in the 5-HT2a receptor gene, which produces stronger receptor binding, scored significantly higher on the Tellegen Absorption Scale. No independent effect was found for the COMT gene variation, but an interaction between the two genes was significant, highlighting the interplay between serotonin and dopamine systems. These results suggest a biological basis for Absorption.
Psychology of Consciousness Theory Research and Practice
August 1, 2013
Dieter Vaitl, Niels Birbaumer, John Gruzelier et al.
43 citations
No Summary
OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine
September 18, 2021
Janika Epe, Rudolf Stark, Ulrich Ott
25 citations
Four yogic breathing techniques produce distinct effects on mind and body. Ujjayi breathing, which slows the breath, reduces stress and increases feelings of relaxation and peace. Paced breathing, following a precise slowdown protocol, enhances awareness of inner experiences. Kapalabhati, a mild hyperventilation technique, significantly increases vitality and joy of life. Alternate nostril breathing, which alternates breath between nostrils, showed no changes that matched the study's hypotheses. These techniques influence processes like heart rate variability and the autonomic nervous system, suggesting they could serve as self-regulation tools in therapy.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
November 27, 2018
Marcel Prestel, Paul Steinfath, Michael Tremmel et al.
24 citations
Power fluctuations in delta, theta, beta, and gamma frequency bands of electroencephalographic (EEG) signals correlate with spontaneous blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) activity in regions of the default mode network (DMN) during eyes-closed resting state. An EEG component commonly identified as eye movements also correlates with BOLD activity within DMN regions. These correlations are in part stable across time, as shown by repeating analyses one year later. The relationship between the eye movement component and the DMN suggests a behavioral association between DMN activity and eye movement level or neuronal activity in that component. Previous findings of an association between frontal midline theta activity and the DMN were replicated.
PLoS One
September 13, 2018
Terje Sparby, Ulrich Ott
11 citations
Interviews with 30 Anthroposophic meditators revealed 14 themes of motivation, organized into three overarching forms: external, internal, and service. The findings suggest a developmental trajectory from external and internal motivations toward service-oriented motivations. This framework expands on a prior scheme by Shapiro, adding new motivation types and distinguishing between self-related (heteronomous and autonomous) and other-related motivations.
The MIT Press eBooks
December 16, 2025
Ulrich Ott
Mystical experiences characterized by non-duality and ego dissolution are linked to specific brain activity patterns. Advanced meditators and psychedelic research reveal that during such experiences, the sense of self appears to dissolve. Neuroimaging and EEG studies identify neural correlates of these states. Factors like personality traits, meditation, and psychedelic substances can facilitate mystical experiences. Recent research with experienced meditators suggests both potential mental health benefits and risks associated with these experiences.
Theology and Science
August 1, 2013
Wolfgang Achtner, Ulrich Ott
Protestantism has historically been wary of mystical encounters with the Divine, partly due to concerns about self-salvation. This article argues that modern neuroscience can clarify the nature of mystical experiences, leading to a revised theological appreciation of mysticism within Protestant thought.
Paragrana
November 1, 2013
Ulrich Ott
Neuroscientific research increasingly examines mindfulness meditation methods integrated into clinical treatments. After briefly introducing magnetic resonance imaging and widely used programs such as Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, four mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effectiveness are explained: attention regulation, body awareness, emotion regulation, and altered self-perception. An exemplary study with anxiety patients shows how mindfulness reduces symptoms and simultaneously modifies specific neural circuits. The outlook discusses developing tailored interventions and considering contraindications.
Neuroscience Letters
June 21, 2007
Britta K. Hölzel, Ulrich Ott, Hannes Hempel et al.
During mindfulness of breathing, experienced Vipassana meditators show stronger brain activation in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex and dorsal medial prefrontal cortex compared to non-meditators. The rostral anterior cingulate cortex activation may reflect enhanced processing of distracting events, while medial prefrontal cortex activation suggests stronger engagement in emotional processing. Fifteen meditators with an average of 7.9 years of daily two-hour practice and fifteen matched non-meditators participated in an fMRI study comparing meditation to mental arithmetic.