Abstract
There has been a proliferation of interest by therapists in the use of meditation and mindfulness for psychological benefits.
This paper will present the scientific evidence from more than 30 years of research that meditation has tangible physiological benefits explainable in neurobiological terms. The concept of neuroplasticity and the practical accessibility of meditation techniques and related practices will be discussed.
Meditation reduces blood pressure, stress hormones, metabolic rate and oxidative stress, has anti-inflammatory, immune effects and anti-aging effects. Meditation has long lasting effects on mental activities and promotes resilience and emotional competence.
In the last decade there has been a focus on exploring the short and long term effects of meditation on the brain using electroencephalography and neuroimaging techniques. Studies on long term meditators have found substantial changes in brain functioning even outside of the meditative state. This includes the presense of high frequency gamma waves, brain synchrony and enhanced functioning of specific brain areas such as the left prefrontal cortex and amygdala.
This supports the new concept of neuroplasticity-the ability of the brain to adapt and undergo permanent changes in response to certain stimuli, in this case the power of the mind. These findings occur at a time when there has been an explosion in the use of prescriptive medication and the problems associated with their side effects and interactions. It is argued that meditation like psychotherapy should be considered as a powerful clinical tool in psychiatric practice.
