In a TED Talk, a renowned neuroscientist shared her personal experience with meditation. She revealed that after practicing meditation for a few weeks, she became more peaceful, handled life’s challenges more effectively, exhibited greater compassion and tolerance, and gained a heightened ability to perceive issues from others’ perspectives, attributing these changes to the power of meditation.
The science behind meditation
Intrigued by her personal transformation, she began to investigate whether meditation could induce changes in the brain. Current research suggests that it can reduce stress, positively impacting conditions such as depression, insomnia, pain, and anxiety. Furthermore, it can enhance focus, leading to an increase in life satisfaction.
The action of meditation is simple, almost motionless, yet it can change the brain and influence metacognition—the awareness of one’s own knowledge. This demonstrates the transformative power of meditation and is due to the brain’s plasticity, which allows it to change in response to repeated actions. When actions are repeated, neurons in the brain strengthen their connections and enhance their communication, leading to changes in the brain. For instance, after three months of practicing juggling, individuals showed an increase in grey matter in their brains, enhancing their ability to quickly capture moving objects, as evidenced by MRI scans.
A groundbreaking experiment
On this basis, recognizing the power of meditation, the neuroscientist decided to conduct her own experiment. She gathered volunteers in Boston, asking them to meditate daily for 30-40 minutes over three months. Brain scans taken before and after the experiment revealed increased grey matter in their brains, showcasing the power of meditation. This finding was particularly notable because these volunteers were neither monks nor meditation enthusiasts, and most had little to no prior experience with the practice.
An interesting discovery was the increase in the size of the prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain responsible for understanding and memory. As we age, the prefrontal cortex typically shrinks, which can explain why older individuals may struggle with memory and understanding. However, the prefrontal cortex of 50-year-old meditators resembled that of 25-year-olds, suggesting that meditation might prevent or slow brain aging.
Addressing the skeptics
Some may argue that these changes could be attributed to other lifestyle factors such as vegetarianism or physical exercise rather than meditation’s power. In response to this skepticism, the neuroscientist conducted a second experiment, recruiting volunteers to meditate daily for 30-40 minutes over eight weeks. Brain scans taken at the start of the experiment and weekly throughout showed a gradual increase in grey matter in the hippocampus, a brain region responsible for memory, learning, and emotion regulation. This area is often smaller in individuals suffering from depression or trauma.
The verdict
Research supports the claim that meditation benefits both physical and mental health. This isn’t just the anecdotal evidence of practitioners; it’s also confirmed by brain scans. Although the many benefits of meditation are still being discovered, it’s clear that this practice has a transformative effect on the brain.
The experiment lasted only eight weeks, yet significant changes in the brain were observed during this period. Why not try it for yourself to see how you benefit from the power of meditation? With consistent practice, you might experience profound changes, maintaining a youthful brain and a peaceful mindset, becoming a source of joy and benefit to both yourself and others.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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