New research reveals that advanced forms of meditation affect the brain and are associated with aspects of well-being

A team led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a founding member of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGB), used cutting-edge brain scanning technology to determine what happens in the brain during an advanced form of meditation called jhana. Revealed insight into what’s going on.

By uncovering distinct patterns of activity in different areas of the brain during jhana, this study aims to inspire innovative treatments that fuse ancient meditation practices with modern neuroscience to improve health. suggests a possibility.

For research published in cerebral cortex, The scientists performed a type of ultra-high field functional magnetic resonance imaging on volunteers who were accomplished meditators with more than 25 years of meditation experience. Image data were collected during his 27 jhana sessions over 5 consecutive days.

Advanced absorbing meditation practices, known as jhanas, promote self-transcendence, also known as dissolution of the ego and insight into “no-self,” as well as the ability to focus on things important to well-being, such as attentiveness and internally generated joy and equanimity. It is associated with qualities. And they are often confused by various mental illnesses.

“This study used a 7T magnetic resonance imaging system with ultra-high field strength to improve the accuracy of brain mapping, which has never been used before in meditation research, let alone advanced meditation. This technique allowed us to assess brain activity with high precision in the cortex, subcortex, brainstem, and cerebellum during a form of advanced concentration meditation known as jhana. ,” said senior author Matthew D. Sachet, Ph.D., director of the Meditation Research Program and assistant professor of psychiatry at MGH. Harvard Medical School.

“This allowed us to gain insight into the functioning of the entire brain in the context of jhana meditation, including the little-studied brainstem and cerebellum.”

Sachet and his colleagues also observed correlations between brain activity during jhana and attention, jhana qualities (such as joy, mental peace, equanimity, and intangibility), and self-awareness.

“This research lays the foundation for the development of cutting-edge interventions to support well-being and treat mental health conditions. “This is a science that has received very limited attention from the world,” Sachet says.

“Our neuroscientific insights have the potential to directly inform neurotechnologies such as neurofeedback and brain stimulation that can be applied to target specific brain systems involved in advanced meditation. research has significant untapped potential to alleviate suffering and promote human flourishing.”

Sachet and his team plan to develop a more comprehensive science of advanced meditation through the development of research centers at MGH and HMS focused on this research. The group is currently collecting brain imaging data from more meditators and exploring additional ways to understand jhanas and other advanced forms of meditation.

Other authors include Winson FZ Yang, Avijit Chowdhury, Marta Bianciardi, Remko van Lutterveld, and Terje Sparby.