How to Improve Your Health Using Mindfulness Meditation
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Mindfulness meditation, a form of meditation long associated with the Buddhist tradition, has been used for several decades in medical settings to reduce stress. It allows the participant to become aware of his or her thoughts non-judgmentally in the present moment. It disrupts chronic negative thinking patterns, and thus allows the body to relax, improves mood and strengthens the immune system.
For over 3 decades, it’s been used increasingly by physicians and psychologists to alleviate several psychological and physical conditions.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin conducted a study to determine the underlying physiological changes that happen during mindfulness meditation. The physiological changes that occur and are associated with this practice have not been fully explored.
Researchers conducted a controlled study of its effect on immune system function and the brain, of a widely used 8 week training program in mindfulness meditation.
The study evaluated brain activity was measure before, immediately after the program ended and again after 4 months. Twenty-five participants were tested in the meditation group. A control group of people on a wait list was tested at the same time as the meditating group. At the end of the training program, both groups were given an influenza vaccine.
The study found for the first time significant increases activation in the left side of the brain, a pattern known to exert a positive effect, among the people who meditate compared with those who don’t. It also found significant increases in antibody titers to influenza vaccine among subjects in the meditation group compared with those in the wait-list control group. Finally, the magnitude of increase in left-sided brain activation corresponded with the size of the antibody level increase to the vaccine.
The scientists noted that these findings indicated a short program in mindfulness meditation produces demonstrable effects on brain and immune function. They also suggest that meditation changes brain and immune function in positive ways and underscore the need for more research.
For more information about holistic medicine, then visit Elaine R. Ferguson, MD’s site on how to choose the best meditation for your needs.
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