Meditation\u27s effect on the brain: A neurobiological analysis

Meditation, a series of relaxation and awareness techniques, has been in existence for thousands of years. Recently, this ancient art\u27s connection to the human brain has been investigated. Studies have focused on how practicing various kinds of meditation can induce temporary and/or permanent physiological and cognitive changes. Here, I review evidence of both short and long-term neurobiological changes caused by meditation. First, I will examine some of the reasons why meditation is an important practice to analyze, with a focus on the clinical benefits of meditation. Next, I will offer a brief description of some of the primary ancient and modern meditation techniques such as Zen, Integrative body-mind training (IBMT), Mindfulness Training (MT), and Tibetan Buddhism Meditation (TBM). From there, I will analyze a number of experiments and studies that investigate the short-term neural effects of meditation, with an emphasis on cognitive changes that occur during active meditation. Next, the enduring effects of meditation will be discussed, highlights of which include changes in pain sensitivity and brain structure alteration. After potential implications of these studies have been examined, we will integrate the empirically supported results in order to formulate a comprehensive neurobiological framework of meditation\u27s effect on the brain