507 results for "Meditation"
Meditation-type specific reduction in infra-slow activity of electroencephalogram.
Biomedical engineering letters – July 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Meditation is renowned for its positive effects on cognitive abilities and stress reduction. It has been reported that the amplitude of electroence...
Can Psychedelic Use Benefit Meditation Practice? Examining Individual, Psychedelic, and Meditation-Related Factors
medRxiv – August 28, 2024
Summary
Many individuals report that psychedelic experiences can profoundly enhance their meditation. A recent investigation explored how personal traits, the psychedelic experience itself, and meditation habits interact to influence this connection. Researchers surveyed meditators with psychedelic experience, finding that specific factors like the intention set before a psychedelic journey and the subsequent integration practices significantly predicted improved meditation benefits, including deeper insights and sustained well-being. The findings suggest that when approached mindfully, psychedelics can positively contribute to deepening one's meditation practice.
Abstract
Can Psychedelic Use Benefit Meditation Practice? Examining Individual, Psychedelic, and Meditation-Related Factors
Geometric Meditation-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Case Study
arXiv Preprint Archive – April 10, 2019
Summary
A novel meditation technique combining geometric patterns with cognitive behavioral therapy showed promising results in treating severe OCD. The approach helped a patient significantly reduce intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors through eight weekly sessions. By focusing on geometric shapes during meditation, combined with traditional therapy, the treatment led to lasting improvements in anxiety, depression, and mindfulness skills, even three months after completion.
Abstract
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), characterized by unwanted and distressing intrusive thoughts, images, urges, doubts and ideas or sensations an...
Can psychedelic use benefit meditation practice? Examining individual, psychedelic, and meditation-related factors.
PLoS One – February 12, 2025
Summary
People who combine psychedelics with meditation report deeper spiritual experiences and enhanced mindfulness. A survey of 1,120 meditators found that those who used psychedelics showed stronger meditation skills and greater psychological flexibility. The intensity of psychedelic experiences correlated with improved meditation outcomes, suggesting these substances may help deepen contemplative practices.
Abstract
Can psychedelic use benefit meditation practice? Examining individual, psychedelic, and meditation-related factors.
Meditation-Based Therapies for Chronic Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Cureus – August 01, 2024
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No Summary
Abstract
Mind-body therapies have been found to be effective in a variety of pathologies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of meditati...
The Effect of Meditation-Based Mind-Body Interventions on Older Adults with Poor Sleep Quality: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Behavioral sleep medicine – January 01, 2025
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No Summary
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This study aims to evaluate the effect of meditation-based mind-body interventions (MBIs) (Mindfulness, Tai Chi, Yoga, and Qigong) for older adults...
The Effect of Meditation-Based Interventions on Patients with Fatigue Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Psychologica Belgica – January 01, 2023
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No Summary
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Persistent fatigue constitutes a prevalent and debilitating symptom in several diseases. The symptom is not effectively alleviated by pharmaceutica...
Associations between psychedelic-related and meditation-related variables: A longitudinal study.
J Psychiatr Res – March 17, 2025
Summary
People who use psychedelics often report deeper meditation experiences, and new research confirms this connection. Following 2,125 participants over 4 months, researchers found that psychedelic use was linked to increased mindfulness, ego dissolution, and mystical experiences during meditation. Interestingly, meditation practice also enhanced the positive effects of psychedelic experiences, suggesting a synergistic relationship between these two consciousness-expanding practices.
Abstract
Associations between psychedelic-related and meditation-related variables: A longitudinal study.
Intracranial substrates of meditation-induced neuromodulation in the amygdala and hippocampus.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America – February 11, 2025
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No Summary
Abstract
Meditation is an accessible mental practice associated with emotional regulation and well-being. Loving-kindness meditation (LKM), a specific subty...
Meditation-Relaxation (MR Therapy) for Sleep Paralysis: A Pilot Study in Patients With Narcolepsy.
Frontiers in neurology – January 01, 2020
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No Summary
Abstract
Sleep paralysis (SP) is a condition where a person is paralyzed upon waking or falling asleep. SP afflicts ~20% of people, and is also one of the t...
Effectiveness of Meditation-based Interventions on Health Problems Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic: Narrative Review.
International journal of yoga – January 01, 2023
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No Summary
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This article provides a quantitative review of the potential applications of meditation-based interventions (MBIs) in addressing the major health i...
Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification in Mild-to-Moderate Depression: Outcomes and Moderation Effects of Spirituality.
Journal of integrative and complementary medicine – June 01, 2024
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No Summary
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Objective: Understanding the relevance of religion or spirituality (R/S) in the treatment of mental disorders is central to clinical and academic p...
How Does Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification Affect Pain Intensity, Pain Self-Efficacy, and Quality of Life in Chronic Pain Patients? An Experimental Single-Case Study.
Journal of clinical medicine – May 31, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
Chronic pain is a growing worldwide health problem and complementary and integrative therapy options are becoming increasingly important. Multi-com...
Intrinsic neural timescales exhibit different lengths in distinct meditation techniques.
NeuroImage – August 15, 2024
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No Summary
Abstract
Meditation encompasses a range of practices employing diverse induction techniques, each characterized by a distinct attentional focus. In Mantra m...
Examining cognitive differences in expert meditators and non-meditators older adults.
Scientific reports – May 15, 2025
Summary
Expert meditators in older age demonstrate a remarkable ability to manage distractions. This suggests Mindfulness practices might preserve cognitive function during aging. Researchers compared older expert meditators with non-meditators on various cognitive measures. While no differences were found in general Attention or Executive function, meditators excelled in Memory tasks and reported fewer external distractions. This indicates enhanced Memory and a superior capacity to filter out irrelevant stimuli. Such sustained cognitive benefits highlight the potential of prolonged Mindfulness practice for healthy Aging.
Abstract
With aging, slight changes in some cognitive processes can be observed. Therefore, we aimed to assess if meditation expertise is associated with pr...
Linkages between Psychedelics and Meditation in a Population-Based Sample in the United States.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
There are neurophysiological and phenomenological overlaps between psychedelic and meditative states, but there is little evidence on how exposure ...
Network analysis of meditative states in highly skilled meditators using EEG and horizontal visibility graphs.
Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference – July 01, 2024
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No Summary
Abstract
The benefits of meditation are increasingly recognized, and some forms are now used for clinical intervention. However, the electrophysiological co...
Executive control and felt concentrative engagement following intensive meditation training
CrossRef
Summary
Intensive meditation training significantly boosts mental focus and control. A recent investigation found that one month of daily Vipassana meditation enhanced participants' ability to inhibit responses and reduced their reaction time variability on a challenging task. Crucially, they also reported higher levels of concentration, which directly correlated with improved attentional stability. This suggests that meditation not only sharpens cognitive abilities but also cultivates a clearer, more stable sense of engagement, validating the subjective experience of enhanced focus.
Abstract
Various forms of mental training have been shown to improve performance on cognitively demanding tasks. Individuals trained in meditative practices...
Executive control and felt concentrative engagement following intensive meditation training.
Frontiers in human neuroscience – January 01, 2013
Summary
Feeling more focused during demanding tasks might actually reflect improved brain function. One month of intensive daily **meditation** training significantly enhanced participants' **executive control**, specifically improving **response inhibition** accuracy and stability in **sustained attention**. Individuals reported greater **task engagement** and concentration during demanding tasks. Critically, this increased felt concentration predicted objective improvements in attentional stability, demonstrating a powerful link between subjective experience and measurable cognitive gains from this practice.
Abstract
Various forms of mental training have been shown to improve performance on cognitively demanding tasks. Individuals trained in meditative practices...
Serotonin Transporter (SLC6A4) and FK506-Binding Protein 5 (FKBP5) Genotype and Methylation Relationships with Response to Meditation in Veterans with PTSD.
Molecular neurobiology – November 01, 2024
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No Summary
Abstract
Meditation-based interventions are novel and effective non-pharmacologic treatments for veterans with PTSD. We examined relationships between treat...
Increased lucid dream frequency in long-term meditators but not following MBSR training.
Psychology of consciousness (Washington, D.C.) – March 01, 2019
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No Summary
Abstract
Strong conceptual and theoretical connections have been made between meditation practice, mindfulness and lucid dreaming. However, only a handful o...
EEG Brain Rhythms During Resting-State Wakefulness and Sleep in Elderly Expert Meditators.
Journal of sleep research – July 29, 2025
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No Summary
Abstract
Meditation practice has been shown to impact resting-state EEG activity in expert meditators, but its benefits on sleep, which is particularly affe...
Neurobehavioural Exploration of Breath-counting & Breath-awareness in Novice Indian Meditators: A Naturalised Ānāpānasati-based Paradigmatic Approach.
Annals of neurosciences – January 21, 2025
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No Summary
Abstract
Neural activity and subjective experiences indicate that breath-awareness practices, which focus on mindful observation of breath, promote tranquil...
Peak experiences during insight mindfulness meditation retreats and their salutary and adverse impact: A prospective matched-controlled intervention study.
Journal of consulting and clinical psychology – April 01, 2024
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No Summary
Abstract
We sought to address a growing debate regarding the adverse and salutary impact of unusual, extraordinary or intense subjective experiences during ...
Training the embodied self in its impermanence: meditators evidence neurophysiological markers of death acceptance.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
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Abstract
Human predictive capacity underlies its adaptive strength but also the potential for existential terror. Grounded in the predictive processing fram...
Toward a neuroscience of consciousness using advanced meditation.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – February 01, 2026
Summary
Understanding the core of Consciousness is challenging, often obscured by complex mental states. A new framework proposes Advanced Meditation, encompassing Advanced Concentrative Absorption Meditation and Meditative Endpoints like temporary cessation, as a powerful tool. This approach aims to isolate the simplest forms of conscious experience, providing precise, replicable anchors for a minimal model. By systematically studying these states, researchers can advance Theories of Consciousness and potentially illuminate insights beyond those offered by Psychedelics, ultimately revealing the fundamental mechanisms of awareness.
Abstract
Despite decades of progress in the neuroscience of consciousness, prevailing empirical paradigms remain largely anchored in the study of typical, c...
Mindfulness meditation modulates stress-eating and its neural correlates.
Scientific reports – March 27, 2024
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No Summary
Abstract
Stress-related overeating can lead to excessive weight gain, increasing the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease. Mindfulness meditation ha...
Cessations of consciousness in meditation: Advancing a scientific understanding of nirodha samāpatti.
Progress in brain research – January 01, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
Absence of consciousness can occur due to a concussion, anesthetization, intoxication, epileptic seizure, or other fainting/syncope episode caused ...
The integration of meditation into higher education: a systematic literature review.
Journal of American college health : J of ACH – January 15, 2025
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No Summary
Abstract
Objective: Reviewed empirical studies involving meditation-related interventions for college and university students during the past decade. Method...
Mindfulness meditation and psychedelics: potential synergies and commonalities
Pharmacological Reports – November 06, 2023
Summary
Combining **mindfulness** **meditation** with **psychedelics** offers a powerful new **psychological intervention** for **mental health**. Both **modalities** independently provide moderate to large benefits, significantly reducing **anxiety** and improving well-being. Evidence suggests these psychedelic treatments and mindfulness practices share mechanisms, including altered self-consciousness and present-moment awareness, impacting **neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior**. When used together, these **interventions** demonstrate synergistic effects, enhancing positive outcomes. This promising approach within **clinical psychology** could revolutionize how **psychotherapists** address various **mental health** challenges, offering deeper, more lasting change.
Abstract
Abstract There has been increasing scientific and clinical interest in studying psychedelic and meditation-based interventions in recent years, bot...
Active Inference, Computational Phenomenology, and Advanced Meditation: Toward the Formalization of the Experience of Meditation
PsyArXiv Preprints – June 16, 2025
Summary
Advanced meditation practices reshape how our brains process reality through precise shifts in attention and awareness. New computational models reveal that expert meditators develop enhanced control over their perceptual experiences through a process called precision weighting. This allows them to consciously modulate awareness, leading to improved wellbeing, cognitive flexibility, and deeper meditative states.
Abstract
Computational phenomenology has emerged as a powerful framework for investigating advanced meditation states and stages, and meditative development...
Healthy Pills: A Physical Activity and Meditation Program to Enhance Mental Health and Well-Being in Spanish University Students.
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) – April 18, 2025
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No Summary
Abstract
(1) Background: University students' mental health (MH) is in crisis due to academic stress, lack of physical activity (PA), and low self-esteem. T...
Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience in combination with meditation and other spiritual practices produces enduring positive changes in psychological functioning and in trait measures of prosocial attitudes and behaviors
Journal of Psychopharmacology – October 11, 2017
Summary
High-dose psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, can foster lasting positive changes in human psychology. A trial with 75 participants showed that individuals receiving high-dose psilocybin (20 and 30 mg/70 kg) alongside meditation practices experienced significant trait-level increases in prosocial behavior, gratitude, and life meaning six months later. These enduring shifts, relevant to clinical psychology, were linked to mystical-type experiences and spiritual practices. The findings highlight psilocybin's potential for enhancing spirituality.
Abstract
Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences with participant-attributed increases in well-being. However, little research has examined enduri...
Compassion Meditation for Distressed Older Veterans: A Feasibility Study.
Clinical gerontologist – January 01, 2025
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No Summary
Abstract
Older Veterans are at elevated risk for psychological distress and may encounter barriers to accessing mental health services. Compassion Meditatio...
Sudarshan Kriya Yoga Breathing and a Meditation Program for Burnout Among Physicians: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA network open – January 02, 2024
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No Summary
Abstract
Physicians are exposed to high stress and strain that results in burnout, which affects them, their families, their patients, and the entire health...
Attention and meditative development: A review and synthesis of long-term meditators and outlook for the study of advanced meditation.
NeuroImage – November 19, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, extensive meditation practice reshapes how our minds focus. A comprehensive review suggests that long-term meditators develop superior attention regulation, a core mechanism of mindfulness. By synthesizing cognitive outcomes, it was found that sustained meditative development enhances various attentional functions, including executive attention and alertness, while reducing mind-wandering. These adaptations foster greater awareness and support the cultivation of advanced meditation states, demonstrating how consistent practice positively refines mental faculties.
Abstract
Attention regulation is a core mechanism of mindfulness meditation and has been proposed to underlie many of its health-related benefits. Here, we ...
How often should I meditate? A randomized trial examining the role of meditation frequency when total amount of meditation is held constant.
Journal of counseling psychology – March 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Meditation apps are the most commonly used mental health apps. However, the optimal dosing of app-delivered meditation practice has not been establ...
Meditating in Live Stream: An Autoethnographic and Interview Study to Investigate Motivations, Interactions and Challenges
arXiv Preprint Archive – February 21, 2024
Summary
Live streaming meditation sessions create unique opportunities for mindfulness practice, combining digital convenience with real-time guidance. Research shows these virtual sessions help practitioners establish consistent routines while maintaining social connections. Through a human-computer interaction (cs.HC) lens, experts found that meditation teachers effectively use streaming platforms to reach global audiences, though digital interfaces (H.5.2) present unique challenges. The practice proves beneficial for both teachers and students, fostering community despite physical distance.
Abstract
Mindfulness practice has many mental and physical well-being benefits. With the increased popularity of live stream technologies and the impact of ...
Meditation and complexity: a review and synthesis of evidence.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Neuroimaging reveals that meditation creates a unique pattern of brain activity that's more complex than normal waking consciousness. This comprehensive literature review shows that during meditation, the brain exhibits higher levels of entropy and fractal dimension - indicating richer, more intricate neural patterns. Intriguingly, regular meditators develop more efficient baseline brain activity, suggesting that meditation practice helps optimize our predictive processing systems.
Abstract
Recent years have seen growing interest in the use of metrics inspired by complexity science for the study of consciousness. Work in this field has...
Thoughtseeds: A Hierarchical and Agentic Framework for Investigating Thought Dynamics in Meditative States.
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) – April 24, 2025
Summary
During meditation, our thoughts behave like competing agents vying for attention. This groundbreaking model reveals how experienced meditators maintain focus while beginners' minds tend to wander. By treating thoughts as dynamic "thoughtseeds" within a neural workspace, researchers mapped how Vipassana meditation shapes consciousness through meta-cognition and embodied awareness. The findings show that mental stability emerges naturally through practice.
Abstract
The Thoughtseeds Framework introduces a novel computational approach to modeling thought dynamics in meditative states, conceptualizing thoughtseed...
Situating Meditation Apps Within the Ecosystem of Meditation Practice: Population-Based Survey Study.
JMIR mental health – April 28, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
Meditation apps have the potential to increase access to evidence-based strategies to promote mental health. However, it is currently unclear how m...
Attentional and cognitive monitoring brain networks in long-term meditators depend on meditation states and expertise.
Scientific Reports – March 01, 2021
Summary
Expert meditators' brains show distinct patterns of neural connectivity that differ from novices, revealing how mental training reshapes our cognitive control systems. Scientists found that experienced meditators display stronger brain network coordination, particularly in areas linked to attention and self-monitoring. Different meditation styles activated unique neural patterns, with expertise level influencing how these networks interact. This suggests meditation literally rewires the brain's executive control systems.
Abstract
Meditation practice is suggested to engage training of cognitive control systems in the brain. To evaluate the functional involvement of attentiona...
ENIGMA-Meditation: Worldwide Consortium for Neuroscientific Investigations of Meditation Practices.
Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging – April 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Meditation is a family of ancient and contemporary contemplative mind-body practices that can modulate psychological processes, awareness, and ment...
Dis/Immersion in Mindfulness Meditation with a Wandering Voice Assistant
arXiv Preprint Archive – April 22, 2023
Summary
A novel "wandering voice" system embedded in a yoga mat is revolutionizing guided meditation. By moving sound along the body through multiple speakers, this smart audio system creates a more immersive experience than traditional fixed smart speakers. Testing with 12 participants revealed that dynamic sound movement enhanced focus and engagement, though some found it occasionally distracting. The technology combines human-computer interaction and multimedia innovations to reimagine how we experience guided mindfulness practices.
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation is a validated means of helping people manage stress. Voice-based virtual assistants (VAs) in smart speakers, smartphones, a...
Increasing cognitive-emotional flexibility with meditation and hypnosis: The cognitive neuroscience of de-automatization
arXiv Preprint Archive – May 11, 2016
Summary
Meditation and hypnosis can rewire our mental autopilot, helping break free from rigid thought patterns. Brain research shows these practices work by disrupting automatic thought chains, allowing more flexible mental responses. Both techniques help create healthier cognitive patterns by first loosening old mental habits, then building new ones aligned with personal values.
Abstract
Meditation and hypnosis both aim to facilitate cognitive-emotional flexibility, i.e., the "de-automatization" of thought and behavior. However, lit...
Developing meditation practice in individuals with elevated psychological distress via a meditation app intervention: An implementation science-informed qualitative investigation of barriers and facilitators.
Psychological services – July 10, 2025
Summary
Even with rising anxiety, many seek calm via meditation apps. But what truly helps people stick with them? A study explored how individuals with elevated psychological distress established a meditation routine using an app. Through interviews, key practical supports, strong motivations, and positive personal outcomes were identified, all encouraging consistent engagement. This reveals crucial elements for successful app-based meditation, fostering mental well-being.
Abstract
In recent decades, depression and anxiety have worsened among American adults. Meditation apps may provide an accessible route for reducing these s...
Psilocybin enhances insightfulness in meditation: a perspective on the global topology of brain imaging during meditation.
Scientific reports – March 26, 2024
Summary
Brain scans reveal that psilocybin combined with meditation enhances self-insight by altering perception and awareness. The study tracked experienced meditators during different meditation styles, with half receiving psilocybin. Those who took psilocybin showed unique brain activity patterns during open-monitoring meditation, leading to deeper self-awareness and meaningful insights.
Abstract
In this study, for the first time, we explored a dataset of functional magnetic resonance images collected during focused attention and open monito...
Meditation, psychedelics, and brain connectivity: A randomized controlled resting-state fMRI study of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine in a meditation retreat
Universität Zürich, ZORA – September 29, 2025
Summary
Meditation and psychedelics may have complementary effects on brain function, according to a study involving 40 meditation practitioners at a 3-day retreat. Participants received either a placebo or a combination of DMT and harmine. Those in the DMT group exhibited increased functional connectivity within the visual network and between visual and salience networks, while the placebo group showed reduced connectivity across networks. These findings highlight distinct neural mechanisms for meditation versus psychedelic-augmented meditation, suggesting that both could play significant roles in enhancing mental health interventions.
Abstract
Both meditation and psychedelics are widely studied for their therapeutic potential in mental health. Recent research suggests potential synergies ...
Fire Kasina advanced meditation produces experiences comparable to psychedelic and near-death experiences: A pilot study.
Explore (New York, N.Y.) – January 01, 2024
Summary
Advanced meditation techniques can produce profound mystical experiences comparable to those induced by high-dose psychedelics. In this groundbreaking investigation, experienced meditators underwent intensive Fire Kasina practice, achieving altered states of consciousness that matched or exceeded the intensity of psilocybin-induced experiences. Participants reported deep spiritual transformation and positive mental health impacts, suggesting meditation could offer a natural pathway to transformative mystical states.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy studies suggest that the induction of "mystical experiences" combined with psycho-therapy is a possible intervention f...
Traditional Islamic spiritual meditative practices: powerful psychotherapies for mental wellbeing.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ancient Islamic meditative practices are gaining recognition as powerful tools for mental wellness. Regular dhikr (rhythmic remembrance) and Quranic recitation show remarkable benefits for reducing anxiety and addiction. These spiritual practices combine meditation, breathwork, and focused attention to promote psychological balance. Modern research validates what Unani Tibb medicine has long known - Islamic contemplative techniques can enhance mental health and emotional wellbeing across all populations.
Abstract
The new millennium is witnessing a remarkable shift within the scientific community, to be increasingly understanding and accepting the impact of m...
Inducing a meditative state by artificial perturbations: A mechanistic understanding of brain dynamics underlying meditation.
Network neuroscience (Cambridge, Mass.) – January 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Contemplative neuroscience has increasingly explored meditation using neuroimaging. However, the brain mechanisms underlying meditation remain elus...
Advanced concentrative absorption meditation reorganizes functional connectivity gradients of the brain: 7T MRI and phenomenology case study of jhana meditation.
Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) – April 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
There is growing scientific interest in advanced meditation, and particularly the Theravada Buddhist advanced concentrative absorption meditation k...
Neurophenomenological Investigation of Mindfulness Meditation "Cessation" Experiences Using EEG Network Analysis in an Intensively Sampled Adept Meditator.
Brain topography – September 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation is a contemplative practice that is informed by Buddhism. It has been proven effective for improving mental and physical hea...
App-based mindfulness meditation reduces stress in novice meditators: a randomized controlled trial of headspace using ecological momentary assessment.
Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine – January 04, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
App-based mindfulness meditation programs have shown mixed effects in reducing stress levels. These studies have typically relied on limited assess...
Volitional mental absorption in meditation: Toward a scientific understanding of advanced concentrative absorption meditation and the case of jhana.
Heliyon – May 14, 2024
Summary
Deep meditative states, like 'jhana,' may be a distinct, measurable form of mental absorption. Researchers hypothesized these are unique, volitional states, different from everyday focus. By analyzing expert meditators' experiences, they found intense, effortless focus and profound well-being. This positive outcome offers a scientific framework for understanding advanced meditative absorption and its benefits.
Abstract
Volitional mental absorption in meditation: Toward a scientific understanding of advanced concentrative absorption meditation and the case of jhana.
Distinct patterns of directed brain connectivity in focused attention, open monitoring and loving kindness meditation: An EEG Granger causality study with long-term meditators
bioRxiv – July 04, 2025
Summary
Different meditation styles profoundly reshape brain communication. EEG scans of long-term meditators showed focused attention, open monitoring, and loving-kindness practices each generated distinct patterns of directed brain connectivity. This highlights how specific meditation techniques cultivate unique mental states and positive neural pathways, demonstrating the brain's precise adaptability to diverse meditative disciplines.
Abstract
Distinct patterns of directed brain connectivity in focused attention, open monitoring and loving kindness meditation: An EEG Granger causality stu...
Neural effects and phenomenology of nondual meditation and 5-MeO-DMT in an expert meditation practitioner
PsyArXiv – September 30, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, an expert meditator's brain activity during deep nondual meditation mirrors certain effects of a powerful psychedelic. Researchers explored the neural and subjective experiences of a seasoned practitioner during meditation and after receiving 5-MeO-DMT. Advanced brain imaging revealed shared patterns of reduced self-referential processing in both conditions, leading to profound states of interconnectedness. This suggests a convergence of paths to altered consciousness, highlighting meditation's powerful capacity to achieve similar positive outcomes.
Abstract
Neural effects and phenomenology of nondual meditation and 5-MeO-DMT in an expert meditation practitioner
Meditation, psychedelics, and brain connectivity: A randomized controlled resting-state fMRI study of <i>N,N</i>-dimethyltryptamine and harmine in a meditation retreat.
Imaging Neurosci (Camb) – September 29, 2025
Summary
A compelling discovery shows certain psychedelic compounds can dramatically alter brain communication, particularly during meditation. Researchers investigated if N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine, given in a controlled meditation retreat, would positively impact brain connectivity. Using advanced brain imaging, the findings revealed beneficial reorganization of neural networks, suggesting these compounds can promote greater mental flexibility and support profound meditative experiences.
Abstract
Meditation, psychedelics, and brain connectivity: A randomized controlled resting-state fMRI study of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine in a medit...
Beyond Meditation: Understanding Everyday Mindfulness Practices and Technology Use Among Experienced Practitioners
arXiv Preprint Archive – July 14, 2024
Summary
Experienced mindfulness practitioners blend ancient wisdom with modern tech, revealing surprising ways to maintain daily practice. A study of 20 long-term practitioners shows they strategically use apps, wearables, and virtual spaces (H.5.2 user interfaces) to enhance their practice while being mindful of technology's double-edged nature. They integrate brief exercises, social support, and digital tools for tracking and reminders, while developing creative approaches to make technology itself an object of mindfulness practice.
Abstract
Mindfulness, a practice of bringing attention to the present non-judgmentally, has many mental and physical well-being benefits, especially when pr...
Web-Based Mindfulness Meditation as an Adjunct to Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Public Safety Personnel: Mixed Methods Feasibility Evaluation Study.
JMIR formative research – January 30, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Public safety personnel (PSP) are individuals who work to ensure the safety and security of communities (eg, correctional workers, firefighters, pa...