How Meditation Changes Your Brain

We all have a general understanding that "meditation is good for the mind" - but "why"? I'm always so curious about "why" behind things, so today I'm going to share with you some of the "fascinating" research and neuroscience around this.

A 2010 study demonstrated that after 8 weeks of a mindfulness based stress reduction program, participants showed significant changes in gray matter within the brain, specifically in the hippocampus and other regions of the brain involved in emotional control.

First of all, What is Gray Matter?

We have both gray and white matter in the brain; however gray matter plays the most important part in our day to day functioning. Gray matter is the part of the brain that is more dense with neurons and is actually responsible for processing information in the brain.

What is the Hippocampus?

The hippocampus is the part of the brain that is primarily involved in learning, memory and emotional control among other things. It has been shown that things like chronic depression, PTSD, chronic stress are associated with decreased volume in the hippocampus (aka less gray matter within the hippocampus).

The good news is, the Hippocampus is known for it's ability to generate new neurons and synapses and reverse volume loss + increase gray matter when we engage consistently in practices like meditation, exercise and learning new things - thanks neuroplasticity!

So, in addition to calming the mind, creating single pointed focus and shifting us out of the fight/ flight sympathetic nervous system state, meditation "literally" changes the structure and therefore function of our brain and nervous system. How. Frickin'. COOL!

I'll never not be amazed at the capacity of our brain and body to change and heal when given the right stimulus. Here is a link to the study I'm referencing if you're keen to go deeper.

Now, Go Quiet and Start Building Yourself. Keep Learning at LTY (Learn That Yourself).