Specific mindfulness meditation techniques produce gamma rhythms in the brain
Evidence regarding gamma wave production during mindfulness meditation is mixed, with some reviews pointing to associations with focused attention while other studies report changes primarily in other oscillations such as theta and alpha.
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Eliciting brain waves of people with cognitive impairment during meditation exercises using portable electroencephalography in a smart-home environment: a pilot study. 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1167410
Objectives Meditation imparts relaxation and constitutes an important non-pharmacological intervention for people with cognitive impairment. Moreover, EEG has been widely used as a tool for detecting brain changes even at the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The current study investigates the effect of meditation practices on the human brain across the AD spectrum by using a novel portable EEG headband in a smart-home environment. Methods Forty (40) people (13 Healthy Controls—HC, 14 with Subjective Cognitive Decline—SCD and 13 with Mild Cognitive Impairment—MCI) participated practicing Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (Session 2-MBSR) and a novel adaptation of the Kirtan Kriya meditation to the Greek culture setting (Session 3-KK), while a Resting State (RS) condition was undertaken at baseline and follow-up (Session 1—RS Baseline and Session 4—RS Follow-Up). The signals were recorded by using the Muse EEG device and brain waves were computed (alpha, theta, gamma, and beta). Results Analysis was conducted on four-electrodes (AF7, AF8, TP9, and TP10). Statistical analysis included the Kruskal–Wallis (KW) nonparametric analysis of variance. The results revealed that both states of MBSR and KK lead to a marked difference in the brain’s activation patterns across people at different cognitive states. Wilcoxon Signed-ranks test indicated for HC that theta waves at TP9, TP10 and AF7, AF8 in Session 3-KK were statistically significantly reduced compared to Session 1-RS Z = –2.271, p = 0.023, Z = −3.110, p = 0.002 and Z = −2.341, p = 0.019, Z = −2.132, p = 0.033, respectively. Conclusion The results showed the potential of the parameters used between the various groups (HC, SCD, and MCI) as well as between the two meditation sessions (MBSR and KK) in discriminating early cognitive decline and brain alterations in a smart-home environment without medical support.
Mindfulness meditation alters neural oscillations independently of arousal.. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2024.112439
Neuroscience has identified that mindfulness meditation induces a state of relaxed alertness, characterised by changes in theta and alpha oscillations and reduced sympathetic arousal, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to address this gap by examining changes in neural oscillations and arousal during mindfulness meditation using both traditional and data-driven methods. Fifty-two healthy young adults underwent electroencephalography (EEG) and skin conductance level (SCL) recordings during resting baseline and mindfulness meditation conditions, both conducted with eyes closed. The EEG data revealed a significant decrease in traditional alpha (8-13 Hz) amplitude during mindfulness meditation compared to rest. However, no significant differences were observed between conditions in traditional delta, theta, beta, or gamma amplitudes. Frequency Principal Components Analysis (fPCA) was employed as a data-driven approach, identifying six components consistent across conditions. A complex delta-theta-alpha component significantly increased during mindfulness meditation. In contrast, low alpha (~9.5 Hz) and low alpha-beta (~11 Hz) components decreased significantly during mindfulness meditation. No significant differences were observed between conditions in the delta, high alpha, and high alpha-beta components. Additionally, there were no significant differences in SCL between conditions, nor were there correlations between traditional alpha or fPCA components and SCL. These findings support the conceptualisation of mindfulness meditation as a state of relaxed alertness, characterised by changes in neural oscillations likely associated with attention and awareness. However, the observed changes do not appear to be driven by arousal.
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Neurophysiological mechanisms of focused attention meditation: A scoping systematic review.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1162/imag.a.14
Focused attention meditation (FA) is a foundational and widely studied practice that cultivates sustained concentration by focusing on a specific object, such as the breath, while disengaging from distractions. Numerous studies have investigated the neurophysiological mechanisms of FA, examining aspects such as spectral power, connectivity patterns, and neural entropy. However, despite this extensive research, clarity regarding the methodological approaches and key findings in this field remains limited. This scoping systematic review aimed to collate and interpret key information from electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies on FA, with a focus on study population composition, experimental design, and neurophysiological outcomes. Our findings revealed substantial heterogeneity in participant characteristics, potentially contributing to variability in neurophysiological results, while the choice of FA tasks and control conditions was relatively consistent. In terms of neurophysiological outcomes, consistent trends indicate that FA is associated with increased power in the alpha, beta, and gamma bandwidths, as well as heightened complexity and reduced criticality measures. Based on the findings of this review, we propose several methodological recommendations to improve the quality of future research. Additionally, we identified significant evidence gaps when considering the whole body of research, including the limited use of MEG and a lack of longitudinal studies, pointing to areas for future investigation. Overall, this review provides a firm grounding for the study of the neurophysiology of FA, as well as the study of advanced meditation and neuroscience-informed meditative development.
Effect of <i>Bhastrika Pranayama</i> on neuro- cardiovascular-respiratory function among yoga practitioners.. 2024. https://doi.org/10.6026/9732063002001549
<i>Bhastrika Pranayama</i>, a vigorous yoga breathing technique, impacts both the autonomic nervous system and brain function. This prospective interventional study examined the acute effects of <i>Bhastrika</i> on heart rate variability (HRV) and electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns in 20 regular yoga practitioners. Significant increases in heart rate and sympathetic activity, as well as alterations in brain wave spectra, were observed during and after the practice indicated by a rise in low-frequency (LF) power and the LF/HF ratio, along with a decrease in high-frequency (HF) power and a substantial decrease in beta, theta, alpha and gamma waves while delta waves increased. The findings suggest <i>Bhastrika</i> enhances sympathetic activity and modifies cognitive states. Further research is necessary to understand its long-term benefits and therapeutic potential.
DOAJ: Mindfulness meditation styles differently modulate source-level MEG microstate dynamics and complexity. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2024.1295615
Mindfulness meditation styles differently modulate source-level MEG microstate dynamics and complexity BackgroundThe investigation of mindfulness meditation practice, classically divided into focused attention meditation (FAM), and open monitoring meditation (OMM) styles, has seen a long tradition of theoretical, affective, neurophysiological and clinical studies. In particular, the high temporal resolution of magnetoencephalography (MEG) or electroencephalography (EEG) has been exploited to fill the gap between the personal experience of meditation practice and its neural correlates. Mounting evidence, in fact, shows that human brain activity is highly dynamic, transiting between different brain states (microstates). In this study, we aimed at exploring MEG microstates at source-level during FAM, OMM and in the resting state, as well as the complexity and criticality of dynamic transitions between microstates.MethodsTen right-handed Theravada Buddhist monks with a meditative expertise of minimum 2,265 h participated in the experiment.
Effects of meditation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_meditation
treatment and mindfulness, but there are too few studies to allow conclusions about its effects on chronic pain. Mindfulness meditation alters the brain, leading The psychological and physiological effects of meditation have been studied. In recent years, studies of meditation have increasingly involved the use of modern instruments, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography, which are able to observe brain physiology and neural activity in living subjects, either during the act of meditation itself or before and after medita Vipassana or "insight" meditation is a form of mindfulness meditation attributed within the Buddhist tradition to the Buddha Gautama. The practice aims to increase a sense of awareness of the present moment. The practitioner becomes a quiet observer of their thoughts, emotions, and sensations; allowing them to come and go without passing judgement. A plethora of evidence now exists to suggest that vipassana meditation does indeed lead to increased mindfulness, but the benefits of the practice do not stop there. It has also been found to reduce stress and increase both self-kindness and overall well-being. Electroencephalography studies on Vipassana meditators seemed to indicate significant increase in parieto-occipital gamma rhythms in experienced meditators (35–45 Hz). In another study conducted by NIMHANS on Vipassana meditators, researchers found readings associated with improved cognitive processing after a session of meditation, with distinct and graded difference in the readings between novice meditators and experienced meditators. Khoury and colleagues (2017) conducted a meta-analysis including a total of 21 studies and 2,912 participants. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of traditional vipassana meditation retreats in various populations including advanced meditators, novice meditators, and incarcerated individuals. More specifically, it explored the psychological outcomes including anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and stress following the retreats, evaluated the impacts of the retreats on levels of mindfulness, and explored variables moderating the effectiveness of traditional retreats. Results suggested that traditional vipassana meditation retreats were moderately effective at improving psychological outcomes, with novice meditators and members of the general population experiencing particularly large reductions in anxiety, depression, and stress when compared to both experienced meditators and incarcerated individuals. Moreover, the results suggested an increased capacity for emotional regulation, acceptance, compassion, and mindfulness as well as higher quality of life scores following the retreats across all populations. These results…
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