The Effects Of Meditation On The Brain
Until just a few decades ago, meditation was seen as a practice for strangers, which had more to do with religion than well-being. Thanks to a greater dissemination of information and the open-mindedness of many sectors of the West, today we know that meditating is not necessarily a mystical activity, but a practice of meeting and harmonizing our body and mind.
The effects of meditation have been so positive that scientists around the world have made it an object of research. It has been proven that it exerts great benefits on physical health and the balance of emotions. That is why today it is being used in various treatments.
What does meditation do for the brain?
According to Dr. Javier García Campayo, psychiatrist and professor at the University of Zaragoza, meditation increases some cognitive abilities such as attention, memory and concentration. These effects can also be achieved through other intellectual activities such as reading and so-called “brain games” (puzzles, word searches, etc.).
The difference between meditating and playing mental skill games is that meditation (as well as reading) has great effects on the emotional level as well. Meditation significantly reduces symptoms of stress and depression. It allows people to feel more serene and gives them a feeling of greater happiness.
Meditation places great emphasis on the present moment. Seeks a person to leave the past or future and focus on the present moment, to fully experience it. This induces positive attitudes, since many of the neuroses have their origin precisely in the weight of what has already happened, or the uncertainty about what may come.
With meditation the brain changes the way it works. There is a higher frequency in the production of Alpha waves and, after a while of practice, Gamma waves are generated. In the long term there are also changes at the level of neurotransmitters: less glutamate is produced, an element that promotes nervous excitation. It has also been found that greater neuronal connectivity appears.
Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that meditation changes both the structure and the functioning of the brain, in addition to having benefits on the emotional level.
Other benefits
Alpha waves are characteristic of the psychological states of tranquility and happiness. When the brain works at this frequency, it is more difficult for you to get the flu, cardiovascular disease and cancer. It also makes your entire immune system more resistant.
In the early 1970s, some research was done in the United States with a group of people who practiced meditation. These studies were repeated in the 1990s. In both cases it could be concluded that the effect of this practice was highly healthy.
That is why meditation has been incorporated into various medical and psychiatric treatments. It is used primarily to manage depression, anxiety, obsessive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, recurrent allergies, and immunodeficiency diseases.
More recently, many doctors have begun to use meditation as a preventive practice, to ensure optimal health. It can be done at any age and in any kind of condition. There are no known contraindications.
