World J Psychiatry
June 19, 2025
Paulina Lamas-Morales, Rinchen Hijar-Aguinaga, Javier García-campayo
1 citation
Excessive self-focus, or selfishness, is common in modern culture, and while some self-focus is adaptive, rigid self-fixation harms psychological, interpersonal, and social well-being. Deconstructive meditations, contemplative practices that use self-inquiry to examine perception, cognition, and emotion, may help cultivate a more flexible, less self-centered perspective. These practices reduce identification with self-narratives and promote psychological flexibility, according to contemplative neuroscience. However, empirical research on these meditations is limited and needs further investigation. This article reviews the practices, their links to psychotherapy, and potential therapeutic applications, discussing clinical implications and future research directions to validate their impact on mental health.
Mindfulness
March 27, 2026
Paulina Lamas-Morales, Carlos García-rubio, María Beltrán-ruiz et al.
A systematic review of 18 studies (2457 participants) found that deconstructive meditative practices, such as Vipassana and insight meditation, may improve depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological well-being in adults. Mindfulness, non-attachment, and insight were identified as possible mechanisms of change. Results varied by study design and intervention duration, and the limited number of randomized controlled trials and methodological heterogeneity restrict generalizability. The evidence suggests these practices can be effective, but higher-quality studies are needed to confirm clinical applications.
Frontiers in Psychology
July 28, 2026
Hercules Morais, Débora Regina de Aguiar, Matheus Hissa Lourenço Ferreira et al.
A pilot proof-of-concept study examined the neurophysiological effects of mindfulness-based artistic–contemplative sound pills—structured auditory interventions combining poetic narratives, soundscapes, and mindfulness instructions—in 12 adults using EEG. Exploratory analyses indicated a statistically significant reduction in high-frequency beta activity (20–30 Hz) during the intervention compared to pre-intervention baseline, with a return toward baseline afterward. No significant global changes appeared in other frequency bands (alpha, theta, delta, mu, low-frequency beta, or combined theta+alpha). Subgroup analyses by artistic modality (visual arts, dance, music, theater) suggested descriptive, modality-specific patterns, but these are hypothesis-generating only due to very small subgroup sizes (n=2–4) and no control condition. The authors conclude the results provide preliminary evidence that such interventions can modulate neural oscillatory dynamics, particularly in high-frequency beta, and require confirmation in larger controlled studies.