Neuroscience Reveals the Secrets of Meditation’s Benefits

Authors
Richard J. Davidson, Matthieu Ricard, Antoine Lutz
Publication
Scientific American
Vol. 211 No. 5
Abstract

A very readable introduction to the scientific findings in neurology about primarily Buddhist forms of meditation.

Related Listings
Topographic EEG mapping of the relaxation response
Authors
Gregg D. Jacobs, Herbert Benson, Richard Friedman
Journal
Biofeedback and Self-regulation
The purpose of this study was to assess the central nervous system effects of the relaxation response (RR) in novice subjects using a controlled, within- subjects design and topographic EEG mapping as the dependent measure. Twenty subjects listened to a RR and control audiotape presented in a counterbalanced order while EEG was recorded from 14 scalp locations. The RR condition produced greater (p < .0164) reductions in frontal EEG beta activity relative to the control condition. N […]
Psychological Factors in Healing: A New Perspec...
Authors
Samuel S. Myers, Herbert Benson
Journal
Behavioral Medicine
·
Over the last 20 years, medical researchers from a variety of disciplines, including behavioral medicine, neuro-immunology, neuroendocrinology, social medicine, and psychiatry, have converged in an effort to produce greater understanding and acceptance of the effects of psychological factors on physical health. Many in the medical profession have remained somewhat skeptical, claiming that psychological components of healing are largely "folklore", unsubstantiated by hard evidence. The […]
Specific Transcriptome Changes Associated with ...
Authors
Manoj K. Bhasin, PhD, John W. Denninger, MD, PhD, Jeff C. Huffman, MD, Marie G. Joseph, BA, Halsey Niles, BA, Emma Chad-Friedman, BA, Robert Goldman, BA, Beverly Buczynski-Kelley, RN, Barbara A. Mahoney, RN, Gregory L. Fricchione, MD, Jeffery A. Dusek, PhD, Herbert Benson, MD, Randall M. Zusman, MD, Towia A. Liebermann, PhD
Journal
Journal Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Objective: Mind–body practices that elicit the relaxation response (RR) have been demonstrated to reduce blood pressure (BP) in essential hypertension (HTN) and may be an adjunct to antihypertensive drug therapy. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the RR reduces BP remain undefined. Design: Genomic determinants associated with responsiveness to an 8-week RR-based mind–body intervention for lowering HTN in 13 stage 1 hypertensive patients classified as BP responders and 11 as n […]