Neuroplasticity: How Meditation Changes the Brain
Do you struggle, like me, with monkey-mind? Is your brain also a little unsettled and restless. How about whimsical, inconstant, confused, indecisive, or uncontrollable? That’s the definition of “monkey mind!” Do you need more motivation to take up this transformative practice? Neuroscience research shows that mediation and mindfulness training can cause neuroplastic changes to the gray matter of your brain. Furthermore, a group of Harvard neuroscientists researching mindfulness meditation report that brain structures change after only eight weeks of mediation practice. Sara Lazar, Ph.D “The practice of meditation produces a sense of peacefulness and physical relaxation. However, practitioners believe that meditation also provides cognitive and psychological benefits that persist throughout the day.
“It is fascinating to see the brain’s plasticity, by practicing meditation, we can play an active role in changing the brain and can increase our well-being and quality of life. Additionally, ”Sarah Lazar notes ,“This study demonstrates that changes in brain structure may underlie some of these improvements and that people are not just feeling better because they are spending time relaxing.” CONTINUE READING