<b><i>Background and Objectives:</i></b> Meditation and mindfulness, rooted in ancient traditions, enhance mental well-being by cultivating awareness and emotional control. It has been shown to induce neuroplasticity, increase cortical thickness, reduce amygdala reactivity, and improve brain connectivity and neurotransmitter levels, leading to improved emotional regulation, cognitive function, and stress resilience. This systematic review will synthesize research on neurobiological changes associated with mindfulness and meditation practices. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> Studies were identified from an online search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases without any search time range. This review has been registered on Open OSF (n) GV2JY. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) enhances brain regions related to emotional processing and sensory perception, improves psychological outcomes like anxiety and depression, and exhibits unique mechanisms of pain reduction compared to placebo. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This review highlights that mindfulness, particularly through MBSR, improves emotional regulation and brain structure, reduces anxiety, and enhances stress resilience. Future research should focus on diverse populations and naturalistic settings to better understand and optimize these benefits.

Abstract Over the past two decades, the fields of social and contemplative neurosciences have made significant strides. Initial research utilizing fMRI identified neuronal networks involved in empathy, mentalizing, and compassion, as well as complex interactions among these networks. Subsequent studies shifted to testing the plasticity of these social skills via different types of mindfulness‐ or compassion‐based mental training programs, demonstrating brain plasticity, enhanced social capacities and motivation, as well as improved mental health and overall well‐being. Next, researchers developed scalable evidence‐based online mental training programs to address the growing levels of mental health problems and loneliness, both exacerbated by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Innovative approaches, such as novel relational partner–based practices and online app–based dyadic training programs, offer scalable solutions to counteract ongoing societal and mental health deterioration. Current studies are now applying the above findings to support resilience building within diverse domains of society and professional populations—such as healthcare workers and teachers—at high risk of burn‐out. Future research should explore the broader impact of such training‐related individual changes on larger systems, potentially leading to the development of a translational social neuroscience approach that leverages insights from social brain plasticity research to support societal needs, thereby enhancing resilience, mental health, and social cohesion.

<b>Background</b>: Dementia is a global condition affecting over 55 million people. Since there is no treatment, non-pharmacological interventions aim to delay its progression in a safe and cost-effective way. The extant literature suggests that Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) can probably be effective for this purpose. The systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of PPIs as non-pharmacological interventions for mild cognitive decline related to dementia by evaluating their effectiveness in cognitive functions and brain functioning in people with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and mild Alzheimer's disease dementia (AD). <b>Methods</b>: A comprehensive search conducted in the databases Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect and PsychINFO (December 2024-March 2025) published between 2015 and 2025 to identify records that met inclusion criteria: studies included patients with SCD, MCI and mild AD dementia, implemented PPIs, Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and pre-post intervention studies with measurable outcomes, assess at least one of the following: cognitive functions and brain functioning. <b>Results</b>: The systematic review included 12 studies (N = 669 participants) that can answer the research question. Only mindfulness interventions were identified. Findings suggest that different types of mindfulness interventions, such as the Mindfulness Awareness Program (MAP) and Mindfulness Training (MT), may be efficient for improving specific cognitive functions (e.g., working memory and attention) and influencing biological pathways related to cognitive decline. However, long-term efficacy has not been demonstrated, and results are mixed and unclear. <b>Conclusions</b>: Μindfulness interventions seem promising for enhancing cognition and brain functioning in older adults with cognitive decline, although the data is limited. However, limitations such as the heterogeneity of the studies and the diversity of the interventions make it necessary for more systematic and organized research to be conducted on the implementation of such interventions. At the same time, it is proposed to examine the effectiveness of other constructs of positive psychology, such as character strengths (CS).

<h4>Background</h4>Meditation has gained increasing recognition as a simple, cost-effective, and non-invasive therapeutic approach for older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate its effectiveness on this population.<h4>Methods</h4>A comprehensive search across nine databases was performed from inception to April 1, 2024, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The primary outcome was global cognitive performance measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), while the secondary outcomes included sleep quality estimated through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), health status assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and depression evaluated with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). This meta-analysis utilized R 4.3.1 software and adhered to the Cochrane Handbook and PRISMA reporting guidelines.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 25 RCTs published between 2013 and 2024 involving 2,095 participants were included in this study. The pooled findings demonstrated that meditation significantly improved global cognitive performance (MD 2.22, 95% CI: 0.83-3.62, <i>p</i> = 0.002), sleep quality (MD -1.40, 95% CI: -2.52 to -0.27, <i>p</i> = 0.015), and health status (MD 3.50, 95% CI, 0.45-6.56, <i>p</i> = 0.020). However, no significant effect was observed on depression compared to the control group (SMD -0.16, 95% CI: -0.63 to 0.31, <i>p</i> = 0.514).<h4>Conclusion</h4>This meta-analysis suggests that meditation is an effective adjunct therapy for improving global cognitive performance, sleep quality, and health status in older adults with SCD, MCI, and AD. However, given the heterogeneity and limited sample sizes, these findings should be interpreted with caution. More large-scale and high-quality RCTs are needed to further substantiate these effects.

Buddhist meditation, encompassing practices such as Samatha (focused attention), Vipassana (open monitoring), and Metta (loving-kindness), offers unique pathways for transforming consciousness beyond conventional mindfulness. In this article, we review the studies that explore how these distinct meditative techniques systematically cultivate meta-cognitive insight, emotional regulation, and self-inquiry, facilitating profound shifts in awareness and personal growth. Recent neuroscience and psychology studies show that these techniques influence the mind in different ways: they strengthen attentional stability, reshape self-referential thinking, and reorganize emotional patterns. Such modifications are evident in reorganized brain networks (for example, the default-mode network) and in characteristic EEG patterns. While sharing some parallels with Western mindfulness and hypnosis, Buddhist meditation uniquely emphasizes ethical integration and profound introspection. Challenges remain in objectively measuring advanced meditative states, particularly the experience of "no-self" (anattā), due to the reliance on subjective self-report. Future research should incorporate culturally sensitive methodologies, objective behavioral tasks, and interdisciplinary approaches like neurophenomenology to integrate traditional contemplative wisdom with rigorous scientific inquiry.

<h4>Objectives</h4>We aimed to quantify the effects of advanced meditation on brain electrical activity during sleep. This investigation addresses the need for objective neurophysiological measures of meditation's potential impact on brain aging and health.<h4>Method</h4>This study was a single-site, prospective cohort study (conducted August 25, 2021, through September 26, 2021) of meditators attending the "Samyama Sadhana" retreat (September 1-5, 2021). Two healthy comparison groups and four comparison groups with varying degrees of age-related brain pathology are included. Using overnight electroencephalography, physiological measures of brain age were derived and subtracted from chronological age, measuring the deviation of apparent brain age from chronological age.<h4>Results</h4>Thirty-four participants completed the study (average age = 38 years; 36% female). Estimated brain age index after adjustment by matching: meditators (<i>n</i> = 34), - 5.9 years (<i>SE</i> = 0.94 years, <i>t</i>-test <i>p</i> < 0.001); Dreem healthy controls (<i>n</i> = 1077), - 0.24 (0.61, <i>p</i> < 0.001); Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) healthy controls (<i>n</i> = 112), 0.55 (0.92, <i>p</i> < 0.05); MGH "no dementia" (<i>n</i> = 7618), 2.4 (0.094, reference cohort for <i>t</i>-test); MGH "symptomatic" (<i>n</i> = 697), 2.0 (0.33, <i>p</i> > 0.05); MGH "mild cognitive impairment (MCI)"(<i>n</i> = 205), 8.8 (2.8, <i>p</i> < 0.05); and MGH "dementia" (<i>n</i> = 153), 10.5 (2.8, <i>p</i> < 0.01).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Long-term meditators exhibit lower brain age relative to matched control groups. This study suggests that advanced meditation enhances brain health.<h4>Preregistration</h4>This study was not preregistered.<h4>Supplementary information</h4>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12671-025-02583-y.

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been linked to psychological and cognitive benefits, yet evidence for their impact on brain structure remains sparse. Neuroimaging suggests MBIs may alter gray matter volume (GMV), density (GMD), and cortical thickness (CT). The purpose of this scoping review was to investigate structural neuroplasticity following MBIs. <b>Methods</b>: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, databases were searched for studies published between 2010 and 2023 that used structural MRI to assess structural brain changes in subjects after receiving MBIs. Nine studies met inclusion criteria, including five randomized controlled trials. <b>Results</b>: Mindfulness interventions ranged from 10 h of training to long-term practice spanning decades. Structural changes were most consistently observed in the insula, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, posterior cingulate, and temporoparietal junction, regions tied to interoception, executive control, and self-referential processing. The greatest structural changes were reported in studies implementing multi-month interventions or long-term meditative practice. <b>Conclusions</b>: MBIs are associated with structural brain changes across a limited and heterogeneous body of literature, but current evidence is insufficient to draw firm conclusions regarding causality or consistency of effect. Larger, diverse, and more methodologically rigorous trials with extended follow-up are needed to clarify the durability and significance of observed changes.

This systematic review investigates the impact of meditation on neural responses to pain, as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Up to March 2024, we conducted searches across four databases for human studies implementing fMRI to assess the efficacy of meditation for pain relief. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Our systematic review indicates that activation of the insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex is positively associated with meditation for pain relief, while activity in regions like the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex is negatively correlated with pain relief. Meta-analyses consistently reveal the involvement of various brain regions, including the insula, putamen, amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, superior temporal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and caudate nucleus, in meditation-induced alleviation of pain. These findings suggest ccthat meditation acts on specific brain regions related to pain, mood, and cognition, providing insight into the potential mechanisms underlying the pain-alleviating effects of meditation on both pain sensations and emotional experiences.