Meditation Changes The Brain! Let’s Know How…

Meditation has been around for a long time now. By each passing day meditation is making its place in every household, work place, schools/ colleges. It’s everywhere because the effect it has and how meditation changes the brain brings about a positive change in our lives.

We are all aware of the mental health benefits of meditation but do you know how it changes our brain? Meditation does so much to our brain and makes us feel so much better but have you ever wondered how that happens?

Worry no more, this article includes all the information about being mindful can make significant positive changes in our brain.

How Meditation Changes The Brain Physically?

We have all read about and even experienced the changes meditation can help us have for years now. Only recently experts have begun to notice that meditation has some changes in the brain structure as well.

According to a study published in the journal psychiatry research, meditation has an impact on the structure of the brain. It proved that during an 8 week period of mindfulness, the cortical thickness of the hippocampus was seen to be increased in size.

The study also claims that the volume of amygdala also reduced during the 8 week mindfulness period. Amygdala is responsible for emotional regulation. Therefore, this is a clear indication with the psychological change there are some physical changes as well.

These are all positive changes that help in making our lives simpler, happier and healthier.

Also read: 5 Quick & Simple Meditation Techniques To Help You Calm Your Mind

How Does Meditation Affect The Brain Psychologically?

Meditation can help us in more ways than one. There has been so much research on the effects of meditation and mindfulness on us. If you have ever tried meditation, you must have seen it for yourself.

The maximum effect of meditation is on 7 parts of our brain:

1. Grey matter:

Meditation helps in improving memory, perception, language, and decision making. All of these are the function of our grey  matter. Therefore meditation affects our grey matter and changes its functions to be efficient.

2. Hippocampus:

Meditation helps us restore our memory and also helps us learn better. Hippocampus is responsible for handling memory and learning. Meditation helps in boosting its functions.

3. Amygdala:

just like how amygdala changes in size because of meditation, it also faces some positive psychological changes. Amygdala is responsible for emotional regulation and meditation helps us get our emotions in control.

Also read: Why Meditation is Important? Benefits of Meditation

4. Prefrontal cortex:

the prefrontal cortex is responsible for our decision making skills. Sometimes our stress reduces our ability to make proper decisions. Meditation at that point helps us overcome the stress, reduces the brain fog and helps us gain clarity which makes us decide better for ourselves.

5. Posterior cingulate:

meditation increases the density of our posterior cingulate. This part of the brain is responsible for our thoughts, judgements, anticipations and observing other sensations.

6. Pons:

meditation has proven to strengthen the Pons. Pons is one of the most busy parts of the brain. It is responsible for regulating our sleep and facial expression. It also helps in regulating overall brain activities.

7. Temporo parietal junction:

empathy and compassion are associated with our temporo parietal junction. Meditation helps in increasing our self awareness and presence of mind. This helps you become more empathetic.

Also read: Mental Health Benefits of Meditation

Takeaway

Meditation does change our brain psychologically as well as physically. Meditation helps us with our emotions, cognitive abilities and our overall well being. Meditation affects many parts of our brain like amygdala, hippocampus, pons, grey matter, etc.

Meditation, mindfulness and breath work has so much to give us. Our brain is complicated and meditation eases that complication.

I hope you found this article interesting and informative. I hope now you know how meditation changes the brain. Do share this article with friends and family so that we are all aware of the effect of meditation on our brain.

Thanks for reading this article.

Take care and stay safe.