Jonah Engler Describes The Science Of Meditation: What Happens In Our Brain?

There is a lot of scientific evidence that shows what happens in our brain when we meditate. Meditation has a number of

There is a lot of talk these days about the benefits of meditation, and with good reason. Science is starting to catch up to what practitioners have known for centuries: Meditation has profound effects on our health and well-being.

In this article, we'll take a look at some of the scientific evidence that shows what happens in our brain when we meditate.

Jonah Engler says the first thing to understand about meditation is that there are many different types, each with its own unique benefits. Some forms of meditation involve focusing on a mantra or a certain object, while others involve simply sitting still and observing your thoughts without judgment. The important thing is that the practice be comfortable for you and that you do it regularly.

Now let's take a look at what happens in our brain when we meditate.

The Benefits of Meditation:

There are many benefits to meditation, including reduced stress, improved mental clarity and focus, and increased compassion and empathy. But perhaps the most important benefit is that meditation helps us to connect with our inner selves. When we meditate, we learn to quiet the constant chatter of our thoughts and simply be in the moment. This can lead to a sense of peace and calm that pervades all aspects of our lives.

What Happens in Our Brain When We Meditate?

Meditation has a number of physical effects on our brain. For example, it increases the activity of the left prefrontal cortex, which is associated with positive emotions such as happiness, joy, and contentment. It also decreases the activity of the right prefrontal cortex, which is associated with negative emotions such as anxiety, stress, and anger, explains Jonah Engler.

Meditation also increases the thickness of the cortex, which is associated with intelligence, memory, and emotional stability. It also increases the amount of gray matter in the brain, which is associated with learning, memory, and emotion.

Perhaps most importantly, meditation appears to cause changes in the brain's default mode network (DMN), which is responsible for our sense of self-awareness. The DMN is made up of a number of different brain regions, including the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and the posterior cingulated cortex (PCC). The MPFC is responsible for our sense of self-awareness, while the PCC is responsible for our sense of guilt and regret.

The DMN is also connected to the brain's limbic system, which is responsible for our emotions and drives. The limbic system is divided into two parts: the emotional brain (the amygdala) and the reward system (the nucleus accumbens). The emotional brain is responsible for our negative emotions, such as fear, anger, and sadness, while the reward system is responsible for our positive emotions, such as happiness, joy, and love.

When we meditate, the DMN becomes more synchronized and integrated. This leads to a greater sense of self-awareness and a reduction in negative emotions. It also leads to a more balanced reward system, which results in increased happiness and decreased stress.

Meditation is a type of mind-body practice that involves focusing on one's breath or a mantra to achieve a state of calmness and relaxation. During meditation, the brain goes through several changes; including increased activity in the areas associated with focus and concentration, and decreased activity in the areas associated with stress and anxiety.

Studies have also shown that meditation can improve overall mental well-being, increase compassion and empathy, and even help protect against age-related cognitive decline. So if you're looking for a way to reduce stress and anxiety, boost your mood, and improve your mental health, meditation may be a good option for you.

Conclusion:

There is a lot of scientific evidence that shows what happens in our brain when we meditate. Meditation has a number of physical effects on our brain, including increased activity in the left prefrontal cortex, decreased activity in the right prefrontal cortex, and increased thickness of the cortex. It also increases the amount of gray matter in the brain and causes changes in the brain's default mode network. These changes lead to a greater sense of self-awareness and a reduction in negative emotions.

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