Long-term meditation is associated with increased gray matter density in the brain stem.
Peter Vestergaard‐Poulsen, Martijn van Beek, Joshua Skewes, Carsten R Bjarkam, Michael Stubberup, Jes Bertelsen, Andreas Roepstorff
Neuroreport January 28, 2009 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0b013e328320012a (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractLong-term meditation practice is associated with structural differences in the lower brainstem, specifically higher gray matter density in regions involved in cardiorespiratory control. Using magnetic resonance imaging, experienced meditators showed greater gray matter density in lower brainstem regions compared to age-matched nonmeditators. These structural differences may explain cardiorespiratory parasympathetic effects and traits, as well as cognitive, emotional, and immunoreactive impacts observed in studies of various meditation practices.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Experienced meditators and age-matched nonmeditators |
| Intervention | Meditation |
| Key finding | Long-term practitioners of meditation have structural differences in brainstem regions concerned with cardiorespiratory control. |
Abstract
Extensive practice involving sustained attention can lead to changes in brain structure. Here, we report evidence of structural differences in the lower brainstem of participants engaged in the long-term practice of meditation. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we observed higher gray matter density in lower brain stem regions of experienced meditators compared with age-matched nonmeditators. Our findings show that long-term practitioners of meditation have structural differences in brainstem regions concerned with cardiorespiratory control. This could account for some of the cardiorespiratory parasympathetic effects and traits, as well as the cognitive, emotional, and immunoreactive impact reported in several studies of different meditation practices.