Mindfulness, cognition, and long-term meditators: Toward a science of advanced meditation.
Sebastian Ehmann, Idil Sezer, Isaac N Treves, John D E Gabrieli, Matthew D. Sacchet
Imaging Neuroscience 2025 DOI: 10.1162/imag.a.82 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Long-term meditators |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Advanced meditation Awareness Cognition Emotion regulation Long-term meditators Mindfulness meditation |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | Long-term meditators exhibit a distinct neurophenomenological profile of enhanced cognitive-sensory integration, emotional regulation, and non-dual awareness, supported by specific neural changes in salience, executive, and default-mode networks. |
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation is a systematic training in equanimity, sensory clarity, and concentration rooted in ancient contemplative traditions. Here, we synthesized cognitive-behavioral outcomes in long-term meditators (LTMs) resulting from diverse, prolonged meditation practices. Preliminary evidence suggests that LTMs exhibit increased cognitive-sensory integration and decoupling of affective processes, demonstrated by enhanced interoceptive awareness, reduced negative affective pain perception, and more rational decision making. Additionally, LTMs may experience more emotional neutrality, malleable self-boundaries, and altered self-awareness. Neuroimaging findings included increased bottom-up activation, particularly within the salience network (interoception, pain, affect), and reduced connectivity between the executive (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and salience (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex) networks (reduced pain). The literature also suggests reduced fear and amygdala activation (mitigated negative affect), increased temporoparietal junction activation (pre-reflective experiential processes, empathy), and altered midline default-mode network activation, which was associated with emotional neutrality and non-ordinary states of consciousness. Methodological limitations restricted the interpretation of trait effects, emphasizing the need for a unified framework to systematically investigate advanced meditation's states, stages, and endpoints using neurophenomenology. In summary, LTMs display a distinct neurophenomenological gestalt of mindfulness, wherein meditative expertise is reflected in enhanced cognitive flexibility and integration, self-regulation, and non-dual awareness-signifying a potentially important form of embodied cognition.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 12
- Toward a neuroscience of consciousness using advanced meditation. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews February 1, 2026
- Attention and meditative development: A review and synthesis of long-term meditators and outlook for the study of advanced meditation. Neuroimage November 19, 2025
- Bridging the Soteriological-Secular Divide: A 9-Month Online Tibetan Mind-Body Practice Program Enhances Eudaimonic Well-Being and Non-Dual Awareness Mindfulness November 19, 2025
- No added benefit of VR and neurofeedback-enhanced VR for trait mindfulness in long-term mindfulness training Computers in Human Behavior Reports October 6, 2026
- Advanced meditation, sleep, and consciousness science: An emerging frontier. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews August 1, 2026
and 7 more in the library
Cites 155
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
and 150 more in the library