Accumulating data suggest that various forms of meditation are beneficial for both mental and physical health. However, the neural mechanisms underlying these effects remain unknown. This study directly examines the fluctuating and dynamic aspects of mental processing during meditation using a novel subject-determined fMRI design. To accomplish this, we put forth a model of naturalistic …
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The interrelationship between cognitive control and affect in an intensive Vipassana retreat
We proposed a longitudinal study of intensive Vipassana meditation to investigate training-related changes in cognitive control, and to explore the relationship between cognitive control and growth in emotional well-being. The proposed data collection included participants undergoing one month of intensive meditative training at Spirit Rock Meditation Center between February and March 2009, as well as …
The FACE Study: Faces, Attention, Compassion, and Emotion
While the mien of meditation masters such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama is often remarked upon as a powerful component of the fruit of their practice, little is known scientifically about links between the practice of meditation and changes in facial expression and whether these changes would be linked to emotional and/or physiological variables. …
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Different approaches to emotion regulation: MBSR and CBT in the treatment of anxiety disorders
Few randomized controlled trials have directly compared the effects of mindfulness and acceptance-based MBSR and reappraisal-based CBT in the treatment of anxiety disorders. In the current study, we propose a randomized pilot study that compares MBSR and group CBT to enable a direct assessment of training in reappraisal and mindfulness-based emotion regulatory strategies, and their …
Effects of mindfulness meditation on cell aging processes
Chronic stress and major depressive disorder are associated with accelerated cellular aging, indicated by shortened telomeres in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Psychological distress is also related to greater oxidative stress, a known cause of telomere shortening. The primary aim of the proposed research is to determine whether mindfulness meditation reduces oxidative stress and increases …
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Biopsychosocial assessment of a mindfulness-oriented treatment of alcohol dependence
This project will investigate the feasibility, acceptability, effect sizes, and therapeutic mechanisms of a novel, mindfulness-oriented cognitive therapy (MOCT) intervention for alcohol dependence, focusing on how attentional processes impact craving. A randomized control group design will be used, with 24 adult alcohol dependent persons per group. The MOCT arm will participate in 8 weekly 2 …
A randomized controlled single-blinded pilot trial to compare effects of concentrative sitting meditation to moving meditation (tai chi) training on attentional network efficiency
Meditation training has been shown to positively affect executive attention function. Moderate aerobic exercise has also been shown to improve executive attention function. Tai Chi requires moderate aerobic exertion, is considered a form of moving meditation, and requires motor learning. Motor learning engages executive function. Thus, Tai Chi can be expected to positively affect executive …
Does mindfulness training change the processing of social threat?
Mindfulness training is theorized to lead to a shift in perspective, a so-called “reperceiving”. The observing of inner experiences, thoughts, and emotions leads to a dis-identification from these contents of consciousness, which facilitates exposure and is thought to result in a reduction in emotional reactivity and to more adaptive responding in situations of social threat. …
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Neuropeptide levels in meditation
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or other forms of meditation have been found to decrease blood pressure, improve sleep, decrease anxiety and stress, decrease cortisol, induce the immune response, and produce other health benefits. However, the mechanism of action of meditation’s beneficial effect on health is uncertain. The peptide neurohormone oxytocin is generally considered to have …
The dissolution of self during rhythmic motor behavior
Rhythmic drumming is a common method to induce trance states of consciousness in many cultures around the world. The techniques and drum tempi are highly similar across cultures, and likely developed independently (convergent evolution). In order to study the rhythmic induction of trance, shamanic practitioners with extensive experience using drums to alter consciousness, traveled to …
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