Title : Scientists Discover What Meditation Does To Your Gut & Your Brain
link : Scientists Discover What Meditation Does To Your Gut & Your Brain
Scientists Discover What Meditation Does To Your Gut & Your Brain
by Arjun Waliacollective evolution
Numerous studies have indicated the many physiological benefits of meditation, and the latest comes from Harvard University.
An eight-week study conducted by researchers at Harvard University in Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) found that meditation literally rebuilds the brain gray matter in just eight weeks. It is the first study to document that meditation produces changes in the time of the gray matter of the brain. ( 1 )
"Although the practice of meditation is associated with a sense of tranquility and physical relaxation, doctors have long claimed that meditation also provides cognitive and psychological benefits that persist throughout the day. This study demonstrates that changes in brain structure may underlie some of these improvements reported and that people not only feel better because they are spending time relaxing " -. ( 1 ) Sara Lazar of the MGH Psychiatric Research Program neuroimaging and an instructor at the School of Harvard Medical Psychology
study
the study consisted of taking magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain of 16 study participants two weeks before participating in the study. images were also taken by MRI of the participants after completion of the study.
"The analysis of MR images, which focused on the areas where noted meditation-associated differences in previous studies, found a higher density of gray matter in the hippocampus, known to be important for learning and memory, and in structures associated with self -awareness, compassion and introspection. " ( 1 )
for the study, participants engaged in meditation practices every day for about 30 minutes. These practices include focusing on audio recordings of guided meditation, consciousness without prejudices of sensations, feelings and mood.
"It's fascinating brain plasticity and that, by practicing meditation, we can play an active role in changing the brain and can increase our well-being and quality of life. Other studies in different patient populations have shown that meditation can make significant improvements in a variety of symptoms, and we are now investigating the underlying mechanisms in the brain that facilitate this change " -. ( 1 ) Britta Holzel, first author of the paper and a researcher at the University of MGH and Giessen in Germany
The Gut
Researchers Harvard University have also launched another study showing that meditation can have a significant impact on clinical symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study showed that obtaining relaxation response (a physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress) is a very big help.
The study leaves Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). This is the first study in which the use of the "relaxation response" was examined in these disorders, and the first to investigate the genomic effects of the relaxation response in individuals with any disorder. The report was published in the journal PLoS-ONE. ( source )
Given the above two studies, and all the other benefits documented health of meditation, this should open the door for further studies to examine the benefits of meditation for a wide range of diseases.
"Our findings suggest exciting possibilities for further development and application of this treatment in a broader range of patients with gastrointestinal disease group. Several studies have found that control techniques stress and other psychological interventions can help patients with IBS, at least in the short term, and while evidence of IBD is less apparent, some studies have suggested possible benefits the novelty of our study. demonstrate the impact of an intervention of the mind / body in genes controlling inflammatory factors that are known to play an important role in IBD and possibly in IBS " -. Brandon Kuo of the gastrointestinal unit in the Department of Medicine at MGH, co-lead author of the report. ( source )
For those of you who are unaware, IBS and IBD are chronic diseases that cause similar symptoms including; abdominal pain and changes in bowel function like diarrhea. IBD includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which takes suffer from severe inflammation in all or part of the gastrointestinal tract. Science has shown us that stress these symptoms intensified, so this study regarding meditation and these diseases holds great importance.
The relaxation response has been the subject of several studies clearly show that regular practice (induced by meditation) directly affects physiological factors such as oxygen consumption, heart rate, blood pressure and again, stress and anxiety. It was first described over 40 years ago by Herbert Benson, director emeritus of the Benson-Henry Institute and co-author of the work presented in this article.
The study had 48 adult participants, with 19 of them receiving a diagnosis of IBS and 29 with IBD. There was no relaxation response weekly training, as well as at home for 15 t0 20 mintues each day
The study included 48 adult participants -. 19 of whom had been diagnosed with IBS and 29 with IBD - who participated in a nine-week group focused on reducing stress, cognitive skills and behaviors that promote health. Each of the weekly training sessions included relaxation response, and elicitation participants to practice relaxation response at home for 15 to 20 minutes each day requested. Along with highlights in other group programs offered at the Benson-Henry Institute, this program includes a session focused specifically on gastrointestinal health.
"Both in patients with IBS and people IBD, participation in the program of mind / body appeared to have significantly improved symptoms associated with the disease, anxiety and quality of life in general, not just at the end of the study period, but three weeks later. While there were no significant changes in inflammatory markers for either group of participants, no changes were observed in the expression of almost 200 genes among participants with IBS and more than 1,000 genes in people with IBD. Many of the genes with altered expression It is known to contribute to the pathways involved in stress response and inflammation. " ( source )
How to Meditate
A common misconception about meditation is that you have to sit in a certain way or do anything in particular to achieve the many benefits it can provide. All you have to do is put in a position that is most comfortable for you. You could be sitting with crossed legs, lying on a bed, sitting on a couch, etc., it is your choice.
Another common misconception about meditation is that you have to "try" to empty your mind . An important factor that I enjoyed reading from the above study is that the participants were engaged in "nonjudgmental awareness of sensations, feelings and mood." By meditating, you should not try to "empty" your mind. Instead, try to let your thoughts, feelings and emotions whatever they are feeling in the flow of time. Do not judge, just let them come and go and be at peace with him.
I also believe that meditation is a state of being / mind more than anything else. I feel that you do not have to sit for half an hour and "meditate" so to speak, in order to reap the benefits of it, or dedicated to the practice itself. One can be delivered to a meditation while on a walk, for example, or the time they have right before bedtime. Throughout the day, you can resist judging her thoughts, letting them flow until no longer exist, or just be in a constant state of peace and self-awareness. Contrary to popular belief, it is simply a way to meditate
"You have to understand one of the most fundamental things about meditation.. That no technique leads to meditation Old technical calls and new techniques of scientific biofeedback are the same in regard to meditation. meditation is not a product of any technique. meditation happens beyond mind. no technique can go beyond the mind. " - Osho
sources article:
(1) http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/01/eight-weeks-to-a-better-brain/
http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Grey_matter.html
"Scientists Discover What Meditation Does To Your Gut & Your Brain", article source: riseearth.com
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