Yes, Virginia, Meditators Really Do Have Bigger Brains

Research Topics

Sunday, 24 May 2009

Researchers at the Laboratory of Neuro Imaging at UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, looked at the possible links in the brain that could cause the connection between meditation practice and psychological, physiological and cognitive well-being.

Using high-resolution MRI data of 44 subjects, they set out to examine the underlying anatomical correlates of long-term meditation. (For those with a technical interest, they used voxel-based morphometry in association with a recently validated automated parcellation approach.)

They detected significantly larger gray matter volumes in meditators in the right orbito-frontal cortex (as well as in the right thalamus and left inferior temporal gyrus. In addition, meditators showed significantly larger volumes of the right hippocampus.

Both orbito-frontal and hippocampal regions have been implicated in emotional regulation and response control. Thus, larger volumes in these regions might account for meditators' singular abilities to cultivate positive emotions, retain emotional stability, and engage in mindful behavior.

The investigators further suggest that these regional alterations in brain structures constitute part of the underlying neurological correlate of long-term meditation, independent of the specific style and practice of meditation.

Future longitudinal analyses are necessary to establish the presence and direction of a causal link between meditation practice and brain anatomy.

Citation: Luders E, Toga AW, Lepore N, Gaser C. The underlying anatomical correlates of long-term meditation: larger hippocampal and frontal volumes of gray matter. Neuroimage. 2009 Apr 15;45 (3): pages 672-8

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written by Susan B. Landry, May 28, 2009

As a survivor of early childhood abuse which damaged my brain, I've been studying the plasticity of the healing of the brain.

THANKS FOR THE NEW DATA.

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written by Belleruth, May 28, 2009

Susan,
That's great.
It's certainly a far cry from what we were all taught years ago, that the brain couldn't regenerate. Hah! Don't believe a word of it. The studies abound, including MRI's of people in treatment for PTSD who have dramatic and very perceivable brain changes.
It kind of makes you wonder what other kinds of hard and fast medical "truths" will be found invalid, eh?

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written by JOHN CANDIDO, June 07, 2009

Brain plasticity or as it is also called, neurogenesis, is really good news! I remember being told at school and by my associates that we are given a set, finite number of brain cells and that they progressively die as we get older. Drinking alcohol would accelerate this natural process of inevitable decline in the numbers of healthy brain cells. It seemed to make sense because of what we all know are some of the effects of old age. I have been meditating for about 17 years using the technique rediscovered by Fr. John Main OSB of England, from the early desert Fathers and Hermits of northern Africa.

I would like to encourage everybody to look at incorporating mediation on a regular and permanent basis, as one of the most important things that you can do for yourself and others, regardless of whatever technique that you settle on. Can I suggest that combining a regular meditation practice with intellectual games that stimulate the brain, in either software on your computer or from a hand held device, will also be an important way of maintaining your brains' sharpness and good emotional health. Getting enough Omega 3 from fish or from fish oil capsules, getting enough sleep on a regular basis, aerobic exercise, weight control, and learning clear thinking skills, are all going to assist you to maintain excellent brain health as well as being a catalyst for personal growth.

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