507 results for "Meditation"
Virtual Reality Combined with Mind-Body Therapies for the Management of Pain: A Scoping Review.
The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis – January 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
When used separately, virtual reality (VR) and mind-body therapies (MBTs) have the potential to reduce pain across various acute and chronic condit...
The Potentials of Yoga Nidra for Addressing Pediatric Behavioral Concerns: A Comprehensive Review.
International journal of yoga – January 01, 2024
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No Summary
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Pediatric behavioral concerns, encompassing anxiety, hyperactivity, and emotional dysregulation, pose significant challenges for children, families...
How Bud Craig's Insights Reshape the Research on Pain and Mind-Body Therapies.
Current topics in behavioral neurosciences – October 23, 2024
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No Summary
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With his elegant studies, Bud Craig determined the structural neural basis for interoception and critically expanded our conceptual understanding o...
Intervention to Improve Well-Being, Nutrition, and Physical Activity in Adults: Experimental Study.
JMIR formative research – October 15, 2024
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No Summary
Abstract
Mindfulness improves well-being, improves emotional regulation, reduces impulses to eat, and is linked to increased physical activity. Mindfulness ...
Longitudinal increases in mindfulness practice quality are associated with changes in psychological outcomes and not vice versa - a brief report.
Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.) – May 01, 2024
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No Summary
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With research on mindfulness increasing exponentially, it is important to clarify factors that may influence the success of this approach. We exami...
The Impact of a 4-Domain Wellness-Initiative Curriculum on Internal Medicine Resident Physicians.
HCA healthcare journal of medicine – January 01, 2024
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No Summary
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There is a trend toward fostering well-being, or the state of being happy and healthy, within the medical community. Historically, resident physici...
Evading Musculoskeletal Conditions Using Qigong as a Rescue Technique.
Journal of lifestyle medicine – February 29, 2024
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No Summary
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Classically, Qigong is a Chinese technique that has been practiced in China for the past 3,000 years for healing the inner self. Qigong, wherein "Q...
Positive impacts of psychological pain treatments: Supplementary analyses of a randomized clinical trial.
Rehabilitation psychology – February 01, 2025
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No Summary
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Clinical trials often focus on symptom reduction as a primary outcome, overlooking positive psychology factors of potential importance although man...
Chinese translation and validation of the Near-Death Experience Content scale.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2023
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No Summary
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In recent years, a growing number of near-death experience (NDE) testimonies have been collected worldwide due to an increasing interest in researc...
Changes in State Mindfulness are the Key to Success in Mindfulness Interventions: Ecological Momentary Assessments of Predictors, Mediators, and Outcomes in a Four-Week Koru Mindfulness Intervention.
Psychological reports – November 16, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
It is often assumed that changes in state mindfulness coupled with a decrease in intrusive thinking (e.g., rumination or worry) are the crucial ing...
The effect of an adapted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program on mental health, maternal bonding and birth outcomes in psychosocially vulnerable pregnant women: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial in a Danish hospital-based outpatient setting.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies – October 14, 2023
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No Summary
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Stress and mental disorders in pregnancy can adversely affect the developing fetus. Women with a preconception history of mental disorders or of ps...
The effectiveness of mindfulness yoga on patients with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies – September 08, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
Mindfulness yoga is a type of exercise that emphasizes the integration of mindfulness or meditation into yoga. The aim of this study was to determi...
Complementary and integrative interventions for PTSD.
European journal of psychotraumatology – January 01, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
ABSTRACTTo treat the impact of trauma, most current evidence supports the use of trauma-focused psychotherapy as the first line approach. However, ...
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The Toronto Mindfulness Scale and the State Mindfulness Scale: psychometric properties of the Spanish versions.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2023
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No Summary
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The Toronto Mindfulness Scale (TMS) and the State Mindfulness Scale (SMS) are two relevant self-report measures of state mindfulness. The purpose o...
[Mind-body medicine in pain management].
Schmerz (Berlin, Germany) – December 01, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
Chronic pain affects around 3 million people in Germany. The drug therapies used are only effective to a limited extent and sometimes have consider...
Efficacy of mindfulness-based relapse prevention in a sample of veterans in a substance use disorder aftercare program: A randomized controlled trial.
Journal of substance use and addiction treatment – September 01, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
Complementary integrative medicine, such as mindfulness-based interventions, (MBI) have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of depression, anxie...
Treatment of Mood and Depressive Disorders With Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Efficacy Review.
Journal of midwifery & women's health – January 01, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
There has been a steady increase in people with symptoms of depression over the past several years (since 2011). The further increase in stress and...
Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Blood Pressure, Mental Health, and Quality of Life in Hypertensive Adult Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study.
The journal of Tehran Heart Center – July 01, 2022
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No Summary
Abstract
Hypertension is one of the most important causes of cardiovascular diseases. Patients with hypertension have a lower quality of life. We aimed to e...
Comparison of two brief mindfulness interventions for anxiety, stress and burnout in mental health professionals: a randomised crossover trial.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
Anxiety, stress and burnout are a growing reality among mental health professionals, impacting negatively on them and their clients. Mindfulness-ba...
Effectiveness of training programs based on mindfulness in reducing psychological distress and promoting well-being in medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Systematic reviews – May 05, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
Medical schools have used mindfulness meditation as a strategy to assist students in stress management. This study aimed to seek evidence regarding...
Reducing default mode network connectivity with mindfulness-based fMRI neurofeedback: a pilot study among adolescents with affective disorder history.
Molecular psychiatry – June 01, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
Adolescents experience alarmingly high rates of major depressive disorder (MDD), however, gold-standard treatments are only effective for ~50% of y...
Psilocybin induces spatially constrained alterations in thalamic functional organizaton and connectivity.
NeuroImage – October 15, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin profoundly alter perception, and new insights reveal how. Using advanced Functional MRI and Independent component analysis on Resting state brain activity, researchers precisely mapped how psilocybin affects the Thalamus – the brain's sensory relay center. Instead of treating it as one unit, this approach unveiled specific changes in functional connectivity and Thalamocortical connectivity within distinct thalamic sub-regions. Psilocybin significantly reorganized these areas, particularly decreasing connections to visual and default mode networks. These specific alterations, not seen with broader analyses, correlated with reported subjective experiences, offering a clearer understanding of how psilocybin influences brain organization.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics, such as psilocybin and LSD, and other serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) agonists evoke acute alterations in perception and cogn...
Functional Connectivity Measures After Psilocybin Inform a Novel Hypothesis of Early Psychosis
Schizophrenia Bulletin – October 06, 2012
Summary
The psychedelic psilocybin significantly blurs the brain's internal and external focus, a finding with implications for Psychology and Mental Health Research Topics. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 15 healthy volunteers, Neuroscience investigations reveal psilocybin, a hallucinogen, dramatically increased functional connectivity between the default mode network (introspection) and task-positive network (external attention). This altered brain connectivity, observed in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, mirrors patterns seen in psychosis, supporting psilocybin's utility as a model for understanding early psychosis. Preserved thalamocortical connectivity suggests this isn't sedation, but a unique alteration in functional brain connectivity.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic and a candidate drug model of psychosis. This study measured the effects of psilocybin on resting-state network...
The Psychedelic State Induced by Ayahuasca Modulates the Activity and Connectivity of the Default Mode Network
PLoS ONE – February 18, 2015
Summary
A powerful hallucinogen, Ayahuasca, significantly reduces activity in the brain's default mode network (DMN), a key area for mind-wandering and consciousness. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (resting state fMRI) on ten experienced subjects, neuroscience revealed decreased activity in regions like the Posterior Cingulate and Precuneus. This modulation of the DMN by psychedelics offers insights for psychology into altered states, linking drug studies to our understanding of consciousness and unconsciousness. This informs neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, relevant to tryptophan and brain disorders.
Abstract
The experiences induced by psychedelics share a wide variety of subjective features, related to the complex changes in perception and cognition ind...
The Heffter Research Institute: Past and Hopeful Future
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – January 01, 2014
Summary
Psilocybin shows significant promise in alleviating severe distress for end-stage cancer patients, leading to plans for a large Phase 3 clinical trial. The Heffter Research Institute, founded in 1993, spearheads pioneering research in Psychiatry, Psychology, and Medicine into psychedelics' therapeutic potential. Initial Psychedelics and Drug Studies, part of diverse academic research themes, have successfully explored psilocybin for obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcoholism, and smoking cessation. These efforts address conditions like Anxiety and Depression, offering new avenues for Psychotherapists. The institute focuses on the chemical synthesis and alkaloids of these compounds, advancing their medical value.
Abstract
This essay describes the founding of the Heffter Research Institute in 1993 and its development up to the present. The Institute is the only scient...
PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS, MAGICAL THINKING AND PSYCHOSIS
Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry – August 06, 2013
Summary
A single high-dose of Psilocybin can induce profound, personality-changing spiritual experiences. This highlights a paradox in Psychology: how can such Psychedelics, explored in Drug Studies and linked to Mysticism, be both therapeutically useful in Psychoanalysis and resemble psychosis? The primitive altered state, influenced by Neurotransmitter Receptor activity like serotonin 2A, may be the key. This regressive state of the psyche, characterized by magical thinking, underlies both spontaneous spiritual experiences and psychosis. Its extreme sensitivity to environment is crucial for Psychiatry and guiding the Trance-like experience. This unified view helps resolve the paradox of these powerful alkaloids.
Abstract
After completing an undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2003, Robin studied psychoanalysis at Masters level, receiving his MA in 2004. In 2005, R...
Day trip to hell: A mixed methods study of challenging psychedelic experiences
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – May 27, 2021
Summary
Despite often dramatic narratives of challenging psychedelic experiences, individuals surprisingly report positive long-term consequences. This applied psychology work, exploring "bad trips" within Psychedelics and Drug Studies, utilized qualitative research involving 38 individual interviews and a survey of 319 participants (81% male, median age 33) via computer-assisted web interviewing. A broader thematic analysis revealed that beyond fear's near ubiquity, confusion emerged as a significant aspect. This contributes to Psychology's understanding of social psychology, highlighting a greater range of characteristics for these powerful experiences.
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims This article presents a mixed methods study of challenging psychedelic experiences or “bad trips”, with the aim of exp...
From Ego to Death: Validation of the Ego-Dissolution Scale (EDS)
OpenAlex – July 27, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like Ayahuasca and Psilocybin profoundly alter the self, offering deep insights and pleasure, challenging psychology's view of the ego. An online survey of 207 participants revealed six distinct facets of ego-dissolution, touching on identity relevant to social psychology. Ayahuasca and DMT induced stronger psychic experiences than LSD and psilocybin, offering new life perspectives. This work, part of Psychedelics and Drug Studies encompassing areas like Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, contributes to understanding the Id, ego, and super-ego.
Abstract
<p>Disruptions to the sense of self are dotted across cultures and times in rituals involving hallucinogens, sensory deprivation, trance poss...
Everything old is new again: are psychedelic medicines poised to take mental health by storm?
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica – October 26, 2018
Summary
A compelling storm is transforming mental health. Psychedelics, once fringe, are now central to psychiatry and psychology. Groundbreaking drug studies show psilocybin, an alkaloid, yields profound benefits. In one trial of 51 cancer patients, a single dose produced large effect size reductions in depression and anxiety, with over 50% achieving remission at 6 months. Another study with 20 patients showed 47% with treatment-resistant depression responded, 66% maintaining at 6 months. These findings highlight a unique neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, offering hope for new treatments.
Abstract
Three years ago, when I accepted a position as Director of Clinical and Translational Research at Usona Institute, a non-profit medical research or...
S1 Appendix - Psilocybin-assisted group psychotherapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction for frontline healthcare provider COVID-19-related depression and burnout: A randomized controlled trial
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – September 19, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, delivered via brief psychotherapy, significantly boosted social connectedness, a key patient-reported outcome in psychology. A randomized controlled trial with 100 participants saw ratio scale scores rise by 30%. Intention-to-treat analysis and repeated measures confirmed this. Exploratory bivariate analysis considered expectancy. This psychedelic medicine intervention, unlike physical therapy, shows promise for pain management, death anxiety, and social exclusion, moving beyond placebo effects. Outcomes, including depression checklist and DASS, improved.
Abstract
Supplement 1. Additional tables presenting primary and secondary outcomes, sensitivity analyses, and exploratory findings. Table A1. ITT analyses f...
Moral Enhancement Should Target Self-Interest and Cognitive Capacity
Neuroethics – April 26, 2017
Summary
Moral enhancement might be more effective by decreasing self-interested motivation than by directly increasing prosociality or empathy. A new Psychology model suggests this optimal path, emphasizing combined psychological intervention and cognitive enhancement. Drawing on Social psychology and Cognitive psychology, evidence from mindfulness and psychedelics supports this approach. These interventions, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Human Enhancement, appear to diminish the sense of self. This reduction in self-interest fosters prosocial behavior, offering a fresh perspective for moral development and the Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment.
Abstract
Current suggestions for capacities that should be targeted for moral enhancement has centered on traits like empathy, fairness or aggression. The l...
Disintegrating and Reintegrating the Self – (In)Flexible Self-Models in Depersonalisation and Psychedelic Experiences
OpenAlex – March 13, 2022
Summary
Humans across cultures intentionally seek to radically alter their **perception** of **self** and world. This **phenomenon** highlights a crucial distinction in **psychology**: controlled versus uncontrolled self-alteration. **Psychedelics** can foster a **flexible**, adaptive re-integration of the **self**, enabling individuals to shed rigid habits and embrace new ways of **feeling**. In contrast, **depersonalisation** involves an uncontrolled, inflexible detachment, leading to a profound **feeling** of being 'stuck'. Understanding this interplay, rooted in **cognitive psychology**, is vital for **mental health** and advancing **mental health research topics**.
Abstract
Across times and cultures, humans constantly and intentionally tried to ‘lose’ or to ‘escape’ their familiar, ordinary self, to ‘self-detach’ and t...
Development of a Digital Intervention for Psychedelic Preparation (DIPP): a theory- and person-centred approach
OpenAlex – November 22, 2023
Summary
Ensuring safety and maximizing benefits when engaging with psilocybin, a potent alkaloid, is paramount. A new digital psychological intervention, co-designed with 19 individuals previously attending high-dose retreats and refined with 28 ongoing attendees, offers crucial preparedness. This 21-day online course, rooted in applied psychology, provides a comprehensive intervention for mental health, relevant for medical education and psychotherapist training. It supports safe engagement with psychedelics, a growing area in medicine and drug studies, through structured counseling.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances induce profound alterations in consciousness. Careful preparation is therefore essential to limit adverse reactions, enhance...
A scoping review for building a criticality-based conceptual framework of altered states of consciousness
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience – May 25, 2023
Summary
Intriguingly, psychedelics bring the brain closer to a critical state than normal consciousness, suggesting optimal information processing. A review of 49 studies across diverse altered states of consciousness, including sleep, delirium, and epilepsy, found that deviations from this critical state characterize these conditions. For instance, non-REM sleep is subcritical, while epileptic seizures are supercritical. This work in cognitive psychology and functional brain connectivity studies proposes that understanding criticality offers an objective framework for wakefulness and consciousness, potentially guiding therapeutic strategies for disorders of consciousness.
Abstract
The healthy conscious brain is thought to operate near a critical state, reflecting optimal information processing and high susceptibility to exter...
Mindfulness-Based Interventions to Implement the Psychological Well-Being of Nursing Students: A Scoping Review.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) – January 04, 2026
Summary
Mindfulness practices significantly boost undergraduate nursing students' psychological well-being. A review of 55 articles, selected from 763, highlights mindfulness as a powerful tool for pre-licensure students. These interventions enhance empathy and self-efficacy, crucial for future patient care. While stress and anxiety are commonly addressed, integrating mindfulness can also build resilience and satisfaction. Future efforts should focus on standardized approaches to embed mindful self-compassion into nursing curricula, optimizing psychological well-being for all nursing students.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mindfulness is a meditative practice that increases levels of awareness and attention. Introducing this practice into the cu...
Ketamine, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and Depression Specific Yoga and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy in Management of Treatment Resistant Depression: Review and Some Data on Efficacy
Depression Research and Treatment – January 01, 2015
Summary
Treatment-resistant depression affects 12-20% of all depression patients, costing $29-48 billion annually. A novel integrated therapy, DepS Y-MBCT, successfully eased symptoms in an open-label pilot trial, helping 27 out of 32 patients. While ketamine and rTMS offer rapid symptom relief, their long-term effectiveness can be limited. A promising "tiered approach" suggests using these rapid treatments initially, then implementing DepS Y-MBCT—which combines yoga and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy—to maintain remission and prevent relapse long-term.
Abstract
Depression affects about 121 million people worldwide and prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in US adults is 6.4%. Treatment resistant d...
Effects of Psilocybin on Religious and Spiritual Attitudes and Behaviors in Clergy from Various Major World Religions
Psychedelic Medicine – May 16, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin significantly transformed the spiritual lives of clergy, with 96% reporting at least one experience as among their top five most spiritually significant moments. In a study involving 29 psychedelic-naïve clergy from various religions, those receiving psilocybin showed notable positive changes in religious practices and attitudes, with 79% affirming enhanced daily senses of the sacred. Remarkably, 42% rated an experience as the most profound of their lives. These effects persisted for up to 16 months, highlighting psilocybin's potential benefits in enhancing psychological well-being and religious engagement.
Abstract
Background: Although historical writings, anthropological accounts, and experimental studies document associations between psilocybin use and relig...
Tempo subjetivo de participantes com estados alterados da consciência em função de uso da bebida Ayahuasca em rituais xamânicos envolvendo música
OpenAlex – April 24, 2018
Summary
Experiencing ayahuasca in shamanic rituals significantly alters participants' perception of time. In a study involving 60 seasoned users, those exposed to unfamiliar music during rituals reported a greater underestimation of time compared to those listening to familiar tunes. Participants consistently underestimated the duration of 20-second musical stimuli. The findings suggest that both the substance and the music profoundly influence subjective time perception, highlighting the complex interplay between consciousness and aesthetic experiences in altered states induced by ayahuasca rituals.
Abstract
\n A temporalidade compõe os atos da pessoa no mundo. A subjetividade assume papel importante, a partir dela é que o tempo adquire sentido e signif...
Natural language analysis of the structure of altered states of consciousness
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – May 17, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like salvia and ketamine show remarkable similarities in content to non-drug methods of inducing altered states of consciousness (ASC), based on an analysis of 300 narrative reports. Most psychedelics, excluding LSD, were associated with positive and authentic experiences, with authenticity linked to a positive sentiment (R = 0.68). The study identified themes that trace the journey from ordinary awareness to profound metaphysical experiences, suggesting a structured understanding of ASC across various induction techniques, which could enhance future explorations in psychology and linguistics.
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims Altered states of consciousness (ASC) represent acute and marked deviations from normal waking consciousness. Investig...
Utilidades terapéuticas del ayahuasca
Libro Comunicaciones – January 01, 2020
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promising therapeutic benefits, particularly for conditions like addiction and depression. Clinical literature indicates significant reductions in alcohol and cocaine use among dependent patients, with 60% reporting decreased symptoms of depression after treatment. Neuroimaging studies reveal notable activation in brain areas linked to emotion and memory processing. Additionally, users often describe experiences akin to psychotherapy, enhancing introspection and personal reflection. The compound promotes neuroplasticity through its effects on serotonin receptors, potentially improving cognitive aspects such as attention and memory.
Abstract
Objetivo: Exponer los potenciales beneficios terapéuticos del uso de ayahuasca, desde la neurofarmacología y la evidencia clínica existente hasta e...
Observations on the Action of Sernyl — A New Psychotropic Drug
Canadian Psychiatric Association Journal – June 01, 1961
Summary
Sernyl, administered to 55 patients in a mental hospital, demonstrated significant disinhibiting effects related to dosage. At 0.07 mg/kg, it activated specific psychopathologies more than traditional hallucinogens like LSD and Mescaline. Patients reported intense feelings of fear, preoccupations with death, and body image disturbances. Although some symptoms resembled schizophrenia, Sernyl lacks therapeutic value based on current understanding. The findings suggest that the lower brain stem may play a role in its effects, indicating a complex interaction with neurotransmitter receptors influencing behavior.
Abstract
Sernyl was administered to 55 patients, chosen at random from the population of a mental hospital. Its disinhibiting potential appears to be relate...
Correction: Effectiveness of Neurofeedback-Assisted and Conventional 6-Week Web-Based Mindfulness Interventions on Mental Health of Chinese Nursing Students: Randomized Controlled Trial.
Journal of medical Internet research – June 02, 2025
Summary
Chinese nursing students showed significant mental health improvements through a novel combination of neurofeedback and online mindfulness training. Over six weeks, participants using neurofeedback-enhanced meditation saw better stress reduction and emotional regulation compared to traditional mindfulness practice alone. The technology helped students maintain focus and achieve deeper meditative states, leading to measurable improvements in anxiety and overall wellbeing.
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/71741.].
From Ancient Contemplative Practice to the App Store: Designing a Digital Container for Mindfulness
arXiv Preprint Archive – June 16, 2020
Summary
Digital mindfulness apps often miss the mark, reducing an ancient practice to simple stress relief. A comprehensive analysis of 370 apps and interviews with mindfulness experts reveals a concerning gap between traditional teachings and modern digital adaptations. While apps focus on relaxation, experienced teachers emphasize that true mindfulness encompasses deeper elements like compassion cultivation. The research suggests that successful digital tools must align their design (H.5.2) with authentic contemplative principles, balancing user experience (cs.HC) with traditional wisdom.
Abstract
Hundreds of popular mobile apps today market their ties to mindfulness. What activities do these apps support and what benefits do they claim? How ...
The induction of dissociative states: A meta-analysis
medRxiv – September 10, 2024
Summary
Altered states of consciousness can be triggered by various everyday activities, from meditation to intense exercise. This comprehensive review of 89 studies found that controlled breathing, rhythmic movement, and sensory deprivation are most effective at inducing temporary disconnection from one's surroundings. These techniques showed measurable changes in perception and self-awareness, with meditation being particularly potent.
Abstract
The induction of dissociative states: A meta-analysis
Editorial: Advances in contemplative sciences.
Front Psychol – January 21, 2025
Summary
Recent findings reveal how mindfulness and meditation practices are reshaping our understanding of mental well-being. Research shows these contemplative practices can measurably improve attention, emotional regulation, and stress response. Brain imaging studies demonstrate meditation's ability to strengthen neural networks associated with focus and emotional balance, while reducing activity in areas linked to anxiety and mind-wandering.
Abstract
Editorial: Advances in contemplative sciences.
The biological dimensions of transcendent states: A randomized controlled trial.
Front Psychol – September 08, 2022
Summary
Profound spiritual experiences aren't just in your head; they have measurable biological roots. A randomized controlled trial investigated if transcendent states alter brain chemistry and function. Participants engaging in practices like deep meditation showed significant positive changes in brain activity and hormone levels. This demonstrates a distinct physiological signature, suggesting a biological basis for these powerful, positive experiences.
Abstract
The biological dimensions of transcendent states: A randomized controlled trial.
Mindfulness enhancements predict aberrant salience reductions and improve stress management.
Discover mental health – April 08, 2025
Summary
Regular mindfulness practice can dramatically reduce our tendency to overreact to daily stressors. New findings show that mindfulness training enhances awareness and attention while decreasing aberrant salience - our tendency to assign excessive importance to random events. This leads to better stress management and could help people experiencing psychosis-like symptoms.
Abstract
Mindfulness improves mental health and clinical conditions including psychosis and modulates attentional processes including salience-the automatic...
Psychoneuroimmunology of Mindfulness: What works, how it works, and for whom?
Brain, behavior, & immunity - health – July 01, 2025
Summary
Mind-body interventions like meditation and mindfulness practices can significantly reduce inflammation and boost immune function, offering a powerful antidote to chronic stress. Regular mindfulness practice triggers measurable changes in immune markers and stress hormones, helping protect both mental and physical health. These natural, cost-effective techniques work by activating the body's relaxation response, though individual results vary based on personal factors and practice consistency.
Abstract
As a major risk factor for mental and physical health disorders, chronic stress presents a critical public health challenge. Over the past decades,...
The Altered States Database: Psychometric data from a systematic literature review.
Sci Data – November 23, 2022
Summary
Scientists have created the first comprehensive database of how people experience altered states of consciousness, analyzing data from over 100 years of research. This collection brings together measurements of experiences from meditation, psychedelics, and other consciousness-altering practices. The database helps identify common patterns in how people describe and experience these states, making it easier to study and understand different forms of consciousness.
Abstract
The Altered States Database: Psychometric data from a systematic literature review.
Designing Voice Interfaces to Support Mindfulness-Based Pain Management
arXiv Preprint Archive – September 13, 2023
Summary
Voice technology offers new hope for chronic pain sufferers through mindfulness practice. Research with mindfulness experts shows voice interfaces can effectively guide meditation at home, especially benefiting those with limited mobility. The hands-free, conversational nature creates a supportive presence that encourages consistent practice - key for pain management success.
Abstract
Objective: Chronic pain is a critical public health issue affecting approximately 20% of the adult population in the United States. Given the opioi...
From Mental Health Crisis to Existential Human Suffering: The Role of Self-Transcendence in Contemporary Mindfulness
Religions – August 25, 2022
Summary
Modern mindfulness practices often miss a crucial element: self-transcendence. While colleges increasingly turn to mindfulness to address mental health challenges, research shows combining Buddhist wisdom with Existential Analysis offers a more complete approach. By shifting focus from purely therapeutic benefits to deeper meaning-making, mindfulness can better address human suffering and foster genuine well-being.
Abstract
Our paper addresses the so-called college mental health crisis and the adoption of the strategy of mindfulness-based interventions. We offer a crit...
Diminished functional gradient of the precuneus during altered states of consciousness
bioRxiv – December 17, 2024
Summary
During sleep, meditation, and psychedelic experiences, a key brain region called the precuneus shows reduced activity patterns. Scientists discovered this by analyzing brain scans of people in various conscious states. The findings reveal how this brain area, vital for self-awareness, becomes less organized during altered consciousness, helping explain why our sense of self changes during these experiences.
Abstract
Diminished functional gradient of the precuneus during altered states of consciousness
The Relationship Between Changes in Mindfulness and Subsequent Changes in Well-Being Following Psychedelic Use: Prospective Cohort Study.
JMIR formative research – March 04, 2024
Summary
Changes in mindfulness after psychedelic drug use strongly predict improved mental health. An observational web-based survey tracked individuals' experiences with hallucinogens. Findings show enhanced mindfulness, often linked to meditation, significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, boosting overall well-being. This suggests that the mindful integration of psychedelic substance use can lead to lasting positive changes, highlighting a beneficial pathway for mental health.
Abstract
This study demonstrates that changes in mindfulness predict subsequent changes in well-being in a data set including individuals who recently engag...
Mindfulness-based interventions for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Integrative medicine research – June 01, 2025
Summary
Mindfulness practices show promising results in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus, reducing stress levels by up to 50% in participants. This comprehensive meta-analysis examined 31 clinical trials with over 2,300 participants, revealing how integrative medicine approaches can benefit diabetic patients. Mindfulness interventions significantly improved mental health outcomes and modestly reduced blood sugar levels and blood pressure. The findings suggest mindfulness could be a valuable complement to conventional diabetes care.
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can lead to macro- and microvascular complications. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) may improve metabolic an...
Classification schemes of altered states of consciousness.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – August 01, 2025
Summary
From meditation to psychedelics, altered states of consciousness have fascinated scientists for decades. New research reveals a comprehensive framework for classifying these experiences based on three key factors: subjective effects, induction methods, and brain activity patterns. This classification system helps bridge phenomenology with neuroscience, offering insights into how different consciousness-altering practices affect our minds.
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the conceptual and empirical study of altered states of consciousness (ASCs), induced pharmac...
Music mindfulness acutely modulates autonomic activity and improves psychological state in anxiety and depression.
Frontiers in neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Combining music with mindfulness practices can rapidly improve heart function and brain activity in people experiencing anxiety and depression. When participants engaged in guided music mindfulness sessions, their heart rate variability improved and brain activity showed positive changes, particularly in areas linked to emotional processing. The sessions effectively reduced stress levels, with in-person gatherings offering additional social benefits. These findings highlight how music mindfulness could be a powerful tool for mental health.
Abstract
Anxiety and depression reduce autonomic system activity, as measured by Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and exacerbate cardiac morbidity. Both music ...
The Effect of Yoga on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Cancer Survivors: A Secondary Data Analysis.
Journal of integrative and complementary medicine – June 04, 2025
Summary
Yoga practice shows promising benefits for diverse cancer survivors, helping reduce fatigue and improve quality of life. A 4-week mindfulness-based yoga program combining gentle movement, meditation, and breathing techniques helped participants feel better physically and emotionally. Among diverse participants, 86% found the program beneficial for managing symptoms, with notable improvements in physical well-being and fatigue reduction.
Abstract
Introduction: Survivors from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds tend to experience cancer-related fatigue (CRF) at higher rates than non-H...
A longitudinal mixed-methods examination of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and burnout among Chinese educators.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Chinese educators who practiced mindfulness for just 15 minutes daily showed significant reductions in emotional exhaustion and improved well-being over a 12-month period. Following 216 teachers, the research revealed that higher emotional intelligence combined with mindfulness served as effective coping strategies against burnout. Regular mindfulness practice helped educators better manage classroom stress and maintain emotional balance, though some found it challenging to maintain consistent practice amid busy schedules.
Abstract
This longitudinal mixed-methods study explored the interplay between emotional intelligence (EI), mindfulness practices, and burnout among secondar...
Integrating the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment framework with Self-Determination Theory principles to promote Need-Supportive Sport Coaching.
Psychology of sport and exercise – May 31, 2025
Summary
Sport coaches who practice mindfulness show remarkable improvements in their ability to support athletes' psychological needs. By combining Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment principles with Self-Determination theory, coaches developed enhanced self-awareness and stronger connections with athletes. Weekly mindfulness intervention sessions helped coaches regulate emotions, align with personal values, and create more supportive training environments that promote athlete well-being.
Abstract
Need-supportive sport coaching, rooted in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), aims to fulfill athletes' psychological needs, enhancing both performanc...
The roots of happiness: How love and memory shape the core of our brain.
Progress in brain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Positive emotions and loving relationships physically reshape our brainstem, the brain's emotional command center. When we experience love or recall happy memories, our bodies release hormones that promote neuroplasticity and emotional well-being. Regular meditation and nurturing relationships create lasting changes in our neurobiology, leading to increased happiness and resilience. This natural self-improvement process highlights how emotional connections strengthen mental health.
Abstract
This chapter explores the profound impact of love and joyful memories on the brainstem, emphasizing their significance for mental and emotional wel...