Specificity, Functions and Mechanisms of Meditative States in the Light of Neuropsychological Research on Mindfulness
Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska sectio J – Paedagogia-Psychologia July 11, 2017 DOI: 10.17951/j.2017.30.1.111 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Argues that mindfulness meditation constitutes a higher state of consciousness distinct from relaxation and alertness, characterized by specific patterns of brain activation, including increased anterior cingulate, left insula, and striatum activity and reduced lateral prefrontal and parietal activity. Proposes that these neural mechanisms support attention regulation and yield broad benefits for bodily regulation, emotional balance, empathy, and morality. |
Abstract
Neuropsychological findings suggest that mindfulness state (meditation state) can be shown as higher state of consciousness, which differs from relaxation state (requires much more energy) and alertness (domination of parasympathetic activation). At the higher level of meditation (low demand for energy), there occur increased activation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), left insula and striatum, and reduction of activation of the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) and parietal cortex. Meditation plays an important role in top-down switching (early noticing of the stimulus – 100 msec. after appearance of the stimulus) and maintenance of the attention (dealing with mind wandering). Crucial mechanisms occurring during meditation states are: vertical synchronization of brain steam, limbic system and neocortex (higher attention of stimuli), bilateral hemispheric activation (deeper insight on negative emotions and unconsciousness) and domination of gamma band fluctuations (high speed of information propagation). Specificity, functions and mechanisms occurring in meditative states have a positive influence on many aspects of the humane life (bodily regulation, attuned communication, emotional balance, fear extinction, response flexibility, insight, empathy, intuition and morality).
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mechanisms of mindfulness | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective | 2011 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 17
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 8, 2004
- Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
- Functional brain mapping of the relaxation response and meditation Neuroreport May 1, 2000
and 12 more in the library