User:Cbt2063/effects of meditation WP analysis

place holder

Summary of Effects of meditation

Introduction

 * Recently, scientists have been using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) to tie in the meditative practices & brain structure/function.
 * 2013 study suggesting that meditation has an impact, but not as powerful as drugs or excersise.

Section 1

 * Lists several benefits, including reduction in worry, depression, stress and an improvement in self-acceptance and compassion.
 * Brain mechanisms: Improves attention regulation (increased activation anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsal medial prefrontal cortex), improves body awareness (greater cortical thickness, more grey matter in the insular cortex), improves emotional regulation (increased activation of the dorso-medial PFC and rostral ACC, increased ventrolateral PFC --> reducing amygdala activity), chronic pain [iffy topic] (studies show that meditation decreased 'pain anticipation' and increased the activities of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and ventromedial-prefrontal cortex (vm-PFC), reduce the works of the orbifrontal cortex (OFC) & amygdala). Wikipedia highlights the uncertainty & conflicting results regarding pain sensitivity vs. anticipation of pain in meditators and doesn't fail to mention that studies on chronic pain are inconclusive.
 * Changes in the brain: Questions on bias when dealing with studies on meditation studies using neuroimaging & not too many studies showing structural changes in the brain.
 * Attention and mindfulness: Increase in attentional awareness, transition from FAM --> OMM, increased cognitive flexibility. Sustained attention increased, faster response times evident.

Section 2
Vipassana Meditation if a form of meditation whose origins are rooted in Buddhism. Its affects on the brain are currently scientifically inconclusive

kundalini yoga has been shown to improve cognitive functioning in older patients.

Sahaja yoga and mental silence seem to benefit practitioners. Potentially in a very distinct manner, unlike other forms of meditation, Sahaja Yoga seems to lower the skin temperature while being practiced.

Transcendental Meditation may have many medical benefits, such as lowering blood pressure. However, clinical findings are inconclusive, and alternative remedies may have similar effects.