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.

Neuroreport. 2009 Jan 28;20(2):170-4. Vestergaard-Poulsen P, van Beek M, Skewes J, Bjarkam CR, Stubberup M, Bertelsen J, Roepstorff A. Center for Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. peterv@pet.auh.dk

Posted: 05/28/2009



This article provided by The International Hypnosis Research Institute.

Enter your email address to subscribe to the IHRI Newsletter.

Fears & Phobias Banish Fears & Phobias With Hypnosis!This specially designed hypnosis session will easily and effortlessly allow you to eliminate fears & phobias in your life working at a deep inner mind level.

Enjoying Dogs without Fear Enjoying Dogs without Fear!This powerful session will help you overcome your fear of dogs using hypnosis to deactivate phobic responses,leaving an intuitive way to respond to dogs based on calm perception.Regain choice about how you respond to dogs.

Freedom from Fear of Death Freedom from Fear of Death!This hypnosis session will desensitize situations that may have triggered the phobia.Re-program your inner mind to allow you to appreciate rather than fear death.Listen to your own inner guidance to live a richer life.