1. ReferencesReferences
InterviewInterview
The Neuroscience of Mindfulness: Contemplative Neuroscience
Kara Kuhtreiber
Department of Psychology and Philosophy
Framingham State University
Faculty Sponsor: Paul M. Galvin, PhD
Reflections/ImplicationsReflections/Implications
OverviewOverview
What neurological changes can mindfulness encourage?
Gray and White matter
•Numerous studies have used MRI imaging to observe increased
thickness of gray and white matter in practitioners of mindfulness.
(Allen, Dietz, Blair, van Beek, Rees, Vestergaard-Poulsen, Lutz, &
Roepstorff; Atkinson; Grant, Duerden, Courtemanche, Cherkasova,
Duncan, & Rainville; Baime; Grant, Duerden, Courtemanche,
Cherkasova, Duncan, & Rainville; Tang,Yang,Leve,& Harold)
•The regions that have thicker gray and white matter are regions
associated with attention and executive function (Grant et al.)
•Examples of regions that exhibited greater gray and white matter
volume are the frontoinsular, prefrontal, and limbic regions (Allen at
al.), specifically the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the anterior
cingulate cortex, and the insula (Atkinson)
•Additional studies have found that there is more grey matter volume
in areas of the brain related to pain processing (Grant et al.)
•Researchers have been able to use this knowledge to run a study in
which they were able to correctly identify the brains of meditators with
94.87% accuracy (Grant at al.)
•Conversely, research has also found that meditators have less grey
matter density in the amygdale, which is where fear is processed
(Baime)
Brain Activity
•Studies have also shown that during mindfulness practice, certain
areas of the brain experience increased activity (Baine, Allen at al.)
How can mindfulness practice contribute to increased gray and
white matter density?
Because there is still much to be learned about the brain, researchers
must use caution in making statements about why this might happen.
However, one researcher postulates that if, when one learns to
juggle, the area of the brain associated with tracking movement
becomes larger (which has been shown), it would make sense for
areas of the brain involved in mindfulness practice should also get
bigger with practice. (Baine et al.)
Allen, M., Dietz, M., Blair, K. S., van Beek, M., Rees, G.,
Vestergaard-Poulsen, P., Lutz, A., & Roepstorff, A. (2012).
Cognitive-affective neural plasticity following active-controlled
mindfulness intervention. The Journal of Neuroscience, 32(44),
15601-15610.
Atkinson, B. J. (2013). Mindfulness training and the cultivation of
secure, satisfying couple relationships. Couple and Family
Psychology, 2(2), 73-94. doi: 10.1037/cfp0000002
Baime, M. (2007). This is your brain on mindfulness. Shambhala
Sun. 45-84.
Grant, J. A., Courtemanche, J., Duerden, E. G., Duncan, G. H,
Rainville, P. (2010). Cortical thickness and pain sensitivity in Zen
meditators. Emotion, 10(1), 43-53. doi: 10.1037/a0018334
Grant, J. A., Duerden, E. G., Courtemanche, J., Cherkasova, M.,
Duncan, G. H., & Rainville, P. (2013). Cortical thickness,
mental absorbtion and meditative practice: Possible implications
for disorders of attention. Biological Psychology, 92, 275-281.
Grecucci, A., Pappaianni, E., Siugzdaite, R., Theuninck, A., &
Job, R. (2014). Mindful emotion regulation: Exploring the
neurocognitive mechanisms behind mindfulness. BioMed
Research International.
Tang, Y., Yang, L. Leve, L. D., & Harold, G. T. (2012). Improving
executive function and its neurobiological mechanisms through
a mindfulness-based intervention: Advances within the field of
developmental neuroscience. Child Development Perspectives,
6(4), 361-366. doi: 10.1111?j.1750-8606.2012.00250.x
What is grey and white matter?
•Grey matter is made up of neuronal cell bodies
•White matter is made up of non-neuronal cells that support
neural functioning
•Gray and white matter exist on a two-dimensional plane
•Grey matter = “outside” layer
•White matter = “inside” layer
How does brain structure change?
•People used to think that after the developmental period ends,
there is no generation of new cells
•Thus, it was thought that brain matter could only decrease
as cells died
•Now, we know that brain matter does indeed increase
throughout life as learning happens
•This means that new cells are generated
•Neuro-cellular plasticity allows the brain’s structure to change
•Matter increases when ”wrinkles” are added to the surface of
the brain
•How you use your brain changes it!
What do these findings about mindfulness and increases
in brain matter mean?
•Researchers are excited by the fact that we can observe
changes in gray and white matter
•In fact, we can see these changes with limited amounts of
mindfulness practice- 8 hours!
•However, we must use caution when attempting to understand
why this happens and what it means functionally
•We don’t yet have the technology to understand exactly
why mindfulness increases brain matter
•As far as generalizing changes in brain structure to the
functionality of the person as a whole, all we can do is look
to see what correlations between changes in brain matter
and changes in behavior exist.
Thanks go to Mr. Sean Dae Houlihan for sharing his
time and knowledge.
What does all of this mean for you and me?
Although we must use caution in making generalizations
about what the observed increases in brain matter and
brain activity mean for us behaviorally, there are several
correlations between these neurological changes and
behavioral changes that researchers have observed in
practitioners of mindfulness. We know that mindfulness
therapies have been very effective for sufferers of PTSD,
depression, anxiety, and more. Personally, I have learned
how to use mindfulness to appreciate the moment I am in,
which has helped me to feel less anxious about the things I
cannot change. We know that as we practice any skill, we
strengthen the neural pathways associated with that skill. I
believe that having strong neural pathways associated with
mindfulness practice would serve an individual very well in
dealing with life’s challenges on a daily basis.