Dear AuntMinnie Member,
One of the great mysteries of the human mind is the impact of meditation on consciousness. Meditation’s role in providing balance and tranquility for stressed-out people has puzzled philosophers and clinicians for centuries.
But recent advances in functional imaging technology are opening a window of understanding on the neurological changes that occur during meditative practice. In an article we’re featuring this week on AuntMinnie.com, staff writer Shalmali Pal explores imaging and neurotheology, the study of the intersection between the neurosciences and spiritual experiences.
Imaging technologies like functional MRI and PET are demonstrating that meditation techniques have a profound impact on brain function. For example, one study used MRI and PET to examine Tibetan monks and found them to have more activity in their prefrontal lobes, the area of the brain associated with positive emotions.
Another study, using SPECT, found decreased brain activity during meditation in the parietal lobe -- the area that controls our sense of orientation in time and space. The researchers believe the findings reflect a blocking of sensory and cognitive input into the parietal lobe, which would account for the detachment from time and space experienced by many who meditate.
Want to know more? Just visit either our MRI Digital Community, at http://mri.auntminnie.com, or our Molecular Imaging Digital Community, at http://molecular.auntminnie.com.
