Modern societies and their obesogenic environments expose individuals to persistent food stimulation. This frequent exposure can cause sensory systems to habituate or desensitize to food-related sensory stimulation. This can, in turn, lead to the reduction of pleasure associated with eating, which can elicit overeating behavior to attain the desired pleasurable effect. However, frequently...
Neuroscience research has associated meditation practice with effects on cognitive, motivational and emotional processes. These processes are mediated by several brain circuits, including the striatum and its associated cortical connections. The aim of this study was to focus on the striatum and test how its functional connectivity is affected in long-term practitioners of Sahaja Yoga...
arXiv Preprint ArchiveApril 25, 2025Jerrin Thomas Panachakel, G. Pradeep Kumar, Suryaa Seran et al.
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While it is beneficial to objectively determine whether a subject is meditating, most research in the literature reports good results only in a subject-dependent manner. This study aims to distinguish the modified state of consciousness experienced during Rajyoga meditation from the resting state of the brain in a subject-independent manner using EEG data. Three architectures have been proposed...
The evidence that mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) improve the mental health and well-being of social workers is growing. Which MBP mechanisms improve these outcomes is unclear. This study attempts to identify what these mechanisms might be, using data from two RCTs investigating the impact of the MBP participation on social worker depression, anxiety, and mental well-being. Structural...
Probation officers and other professionals who work with youth in the legal system often experience high chronic workplace stress, which can contribute over time to elevations in anxiety, depression, and workplace burnout. Emotion dysregulation appears to function as a common mechanism underlying these elevations, and growing evidence suggests it can be improved with mindfulness meditation....
Parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience high levels of parental stress. This has exacerbated during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programme in the Chinese population, which is feasible among Chinese parents during the COVID-19...
The Thoughtseeds Framework introduces a novel computational approach to modeling thought dynamics in meditative states, conceptualizing thoughtseeds as dynamic attentional agents that integrate information. This hierarchical model, structured as nested Markov blankets, comprises three interconnected levels: (i) knowledge domains as information repositories, (ii) the Thoughtseed Network where...
This study aims to investigate how the theoretical and practical elements of mindfulness are being incorporated by psychotherapists into their professional practice, with the goal of elucidating different ways in which mindfulness is applied in clinical work.The method used involved conducting semi-structured interviews with psychotherapists who identify as mindfulness instructors and integrate...
Abstract Objectives The study aimed to investigate the pre-to-post effects of mindfulness training on school teachers’ psychological and professional well-being, as well as to explore the moderating role of temperament and character on these effects. Method An 8-week mindfulness-based intervention was delivered via internet-based group meetings to Italian teachers ( n = 139), who were assessed...
This research aims to examine the integration of spiritual techniques in the traditions of Buddhism and Yoga with the concept of memory reconsolidation in psychology and neuroscience. The main aim of this research is to show that these spiritual techniques are not only of mystical or religious value, but also serve as psychological mechanisms for emotional and cognitive transformation that are...
The study aims to explore the relationship between mindfulness, rumination thinking, anxiety state, and depressed mood, and the chain mediating roles of rumination thinking and anxiety state in explaining how mindfulness influences depressed mood in infertile women. This cross-sectional study included 946 women with infertility from a maternal and child hospital in western China through...
There is evidence to suggest that individuals with the personality trait of shyness are more prone to depression, and a possible key factor in the process of shyness leading to depression is core self-evaluation. Given the prevalence and cross-cultural nature of shyness in humans, it is crucial to understand the factors that reduce shyness, enhance core self-evaluation, and ultimately lower...
Abstract The present study aims to investigate the relative temporal associations of different types of mindfulness-related qualities (i.e., observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-reactivity, nonjudging, tranquility, and concentration) at the dispositional level with well-being, psychological distress, and nonattachment by a 9-month longitudinal study over four-time points. Data from...
I read Beshai's (2024) conceptual analysis on mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with interest. The author seeks to "illustrate how mindfulness, as a third wave approach can complement and enhance first and second wave approaches".The so-called cognitive behavioral therapies comprise a variety of therapeutic approaches typically categorized into a first (e.g. Behavior Therapy,...
Although meditation is often treated as an individual practice, meditation teachers can play an important role. Drawing on the mixed-methods dataset of the Varieties of Contemplative Experience project, this paper examines the role of meditation teachers and their impacts on Western practitioners who are navigating meditation-related challenges. Quantitative and qualitative results from 68...
Journal of American College HealthApril 22, 2025Laura García-pérez, Maria Elena Atencia-Rodriguez, Mar Cepero-González et al.8 citations
University students face mental health (MH) issues like anxiety, depression, and stress, highlighting the need for effective interventions to improve well-being and academic success. This review examined 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2000 to 2023, following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 2,325 students, aged 18-25 without severe MH conditions, participated in physical activity (PA)...
Purpose: The concepts of Moksha (liberation) in Upanishadic thought and Nirvana in Buddhism represent the ultimate spiritual goals in Hinduism and Buddhism, respectively. While both traditions emphasize the cessation of suffering and transcendence of worldly existence, their metaphysical foundations, epistemological approaches, and soteriological frameworks differ significantly. This paper...
This study explores the integration of dhikr spiritual practices with neurofeedback technology to improve self-regulated learning (SRL) skills in Muslim students. Using a mixed method approach, the study involved 30 Muslim students (aged 18-25 years) who underwent a dhikr intervention with neurofeedback for 4 weeks. Brain activity was measured using a 14-channel EEG device, while SRL ability...
BMC Medical EducationApril 19, 2025C. Nwadi, Nathaniel Ifeanyi Edeh, E. P. Ugwunwoti et al.
The inclusion of behavioral therapy and stress reduction techniques among vocational students of the Nigerian universities is crucial for enhancing their practical skill acquisition and career prospects in challenging academic scenarios. This study explored the combined effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction in reducing test anxiety among business...
World Journal of PsychiatryApril 19, 2025Carmen Borrás-sansaloni, Marina Ricco-Pérez, Antoni Mayol et al.1 citation
Psychotic disorders are characterized by both positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) and negative symptoms (emotional blunting, anhedonia) that impair daily functioning. While antipsychotic drugs and psychological interventions are effective when addressing positive symptoms, treatment of negative symptoms remains an ongoing challenge. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been...