How Meditation Changes your Brain

Here is a helpful cheat sheet describing the effects meditation has on your brain, along with some books and apps to help you get started.

These brain changes can be achieved through a 15-30 minute practice. I recommend that you challenge yourself to meditate at least 3 times a week. Good luck and let me know how it goes.

YOUR BRAIN ON MEDITATION

Improvements after 6 weeks of meditation for 20 minutes a day.

1. PAIN

Research has demonstrated less brain activity in the pain centers of the brain, reducing the frequency and intensity of the pain response.

2. STRESS

Decreased activity in the Amygdala. This reduction in activity lessens our experience of negative emotions.

3. AGING

Reversal/slowing of the effects of aging on the prefrontal cortex. This improves cognitive functioning.

4. EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Increase of gray matter in the Left Hippocampus. This improves memory function.
Increase of gray matter in the Post Cingulate Cortex. This increases capacity for insight and self-reflection.
Increase of gray matter in the Temporo-Parietal Junctio. This area of the brain is associated with the experience of empathy.

5. HEALTH