Acute effects of meditation training on the waking and sleeping brain: Is it all about homeostasis?
Daniela Dentico, David R. W. Bachhuber, Brady A. Riedner, Fabio Ferrarelli, Giulio Tononi, Richard J. Davidson, Antoine Lutz
European Journal of Neuroscience August 24, 2018 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14131 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 58 |
| Population | Long-term meditators and meditation-naïve participants |
| Intervention | Compassion-and-loving-kindness meditation |
| Duration | Two 8-hour sessions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Electroencephalography Wakefulness Audiology |
| Citations | 18 |
| Key findings | Post-meditation increases in waking EEG oscillations (8 and 15 Hz) in long-term meditators correlated with low-frequency NREM sleep EEG changes, indicating a reverberation of meditation processes during sleep rather than a purely homeostatic response. |
Abstract
Our recent finding of a meditation-related increase in low-frequency NREM sleep EEG oscillatory activities peaking in the theta-alpha range (4-12 Hz) was not predicted. From a consolidated body of research on sleep homeostasis, we would expect a change peaking in slow wave activity (1-4 Hz) following an intense meditation session. Here we compared these changes in sleep with the post-meditation changes in waking rest scalp power to further characterize their functional significance. High-density EEG recordings were acquired from 27 long-term meditators (LTM) on three separate days at baseline and following two 8-hr sessions of either mindfulness or compassion-and-loving-kindness meditation. Thirty-one meditation-naïve participants (MNP) were recorded at the same time points. As a common effect of meditation practice, we found increases in low and fast waking EEG oscillations for LTM only, peaking at eight and 15 Hz respectively, over prefrontal, and left centro-parietal electrodes. Paralleling our previous findings in sleep, there was no significant difference between meditation styles in LTM as well as no difference between matched sessions in MNP. Meditation-related changes in wakefulness and NREM sleep were correlated across space and frequency. A significant correlation was found in the EEG low frequencies (<12 Hz). Since the peak of coupling was observed in the theta-alpha oscillatory range, sleep homeostatic response to meditation practice is not sufficient to explain our findings. Another likely phenomenon into play is a reverberation of meditation-related processes during subsequent sleep. Future studies should ascertain the interplay between these processes in promoting the beneficial effects of meditation practice.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- The Effects of Self-Guided Meditation and Napping on Memory Consolidation in Humans January 30, 2020
- The Kamrup Study: Empirical Investigations of Convergences Between Quantum Physics and Vedantic Consciousness Integrated Journal for Research in Arts and Humanities June 13, 2025
- Does Meditation Improve Cognition Through Sleep? November 19, 2022
- Neurofluid circulation changes during a focused attention style of mindfulness meditation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences December 9, 2025
- Shifting Baselines: Longitudinal Reductions in EEG Beta Band Power Characterize Resting Brain Activity with Intensive Meditation. Mindfulness 2022
and 5 more in the library
Cites 21
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Neuroreport November 7, 2005
- Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences October 11, 2007
- Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 8, 2004
and 16 more in the library