Long-term meditation practice alters connectivity within two key resting-state brain networks: the default mode network (DMN) and the salience network (SN). Experienced meditators show enhanced self-referential processing in the DMN and reduced reactivity in the SN, suggesting that meditation refines attentional control and internal awareness. The study used dynamic causal modeling for EEG to analyze effective connectivity in a unique monastic population—monks and geshes from the Tibetan University of Sera Jey in India. These findings provide new insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying long-term meditation and highlight monastic practitioners as a valuable model for studying experience-related brain changes.
Advanced meditation in experienced Tibetan monks produces a unique psychophysiological state of relaxed-vigilance, characterized by enhanced parasympathetic tone, decreased respiratory rate, and gradually increasing electrodermal activity—indicating simultaneous calm and alertness. EEG recordings showed elevated gamma-band power during analytical meditations. These findings suggest that advanced meditative practices foster an adaptive integration of autonomic and cortical responses, supporting well-being and cognitive flexibility.
Body odours from people in emotional states can influence others, a phenomenon known as emotional contagion. This pilot study tested whether adding emotional body odours to mindfulness meditation reduces anxiety more than mindfulness alone. Ninety-eight women with Social Anxiety Disorder attended two mindfulness sessions while exposed to fear, joy, neutral body odour, or clean air. The primary hypothesis was not supported: there was no significant interaction between odour type and time on anxiety reduction. However, effect sizes suggested a greater decrease in state anxiety for the fear-odour group, and participants exposed to any body odour rated the practice as significantly more helpful. A larger trial is recommended.