Meditation does much more than simply calm a stressed mind during a busy day. Recent scientific research suggests that meditation profoundly reshapes brain activity by altering dynamics and increasing vital neural connections. These biological changes appear somewhat similar to the effects produced by certain psychedelic substances on the human brain.
Consequently, meditation may help practitioners reach a hypothesized state known as “brain criticality.” In this unique state, neural connections are neither too weak nor too strong for the individual. This “sweet spot” provides an optimal level for mental agility, allowing the brain to function with maximum efficiency.
Inside the Research: Studying the Monks
Neurophysiologist Annalisa Pascarella led a team from the Italian National Research Council to examine these complex brain patterns. The researchers utilized high-resolution brain scans and advanced machine learning to analyze the equilibrium between neural chaos and order. They specifically studied a group of 12 professional monks from the Santacittarama monastery near Rome.
These participants were highly experienced meditators, averaging more than 15,000 hours of practice within the Thai Forest tradition. Researchers used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to measure the magnetic fields produced by electrical signals inside their brains. This technology provided a detailed look at how long-term practice changes biological functioning.
Two Techniques: Samatha and Vipassana
The study focused on two distinct meditation techniques known as Samatha and Vipassana. Samatha centers attention on a specific object, such as mindful breathing, to achieve a state of mental equanimity. Conversely, Vipassana encourages the mind to focus on the present moment, letting sensations and emotions flow without judgment.
Neuroscientist Karim Jerbi explains that Samatha narrows your field of attention like a concentrated beam of a flashlight. In contrast, Vipassana widens that beam to increase overall awareness of the practitioner’s internal and external environment. Both practices actively engage the brain’s attentional mechanisms, though they produce different neural results.
The Science of Brain Criticality
The team discovered that while Samatha produces a focused and stable state, Vipassana brings the brain closer to criticality. This term, borrowed from statistical physics, describes the perfect balance between chaos and order in neural functioning. In this state, the brain becomes ideally flexible to process information and adapt to changing tasks.
“At the critical point, neural networks are stable enough to transmit information reliably,” Jerbi stated during the study. Furthermore, he noted that these networks remain flexible enough to adjust quickly whenever a person faces new situations. This balance effectively optimizes the processing, learning, and response capabilities of the human mind.
Shifting from Engagement to Awareness
Interestingly, the researchers noted a decrease in gamma oscillations, which suggests a significant reduction in processing external stimuli. This finding indicates that meditation promotes a shift away from external engagement toward a deeper sense of internal awareness. The study used advanced signal processing tools to identify these specific brain signals with high precision.
Among the 12 monks, more experienced meditators showed very little difference between their meditative and resting modes. This suggests that their meditative brain states have eventually become their permanent, default resting dynamics over many years. This discovery highlights the long-term biological impact of consistent, high-level meditation practice.
Q&A Section
Q: What is “brain criticality” in simple terms?
It is a state where the brain balances order and chaos to maximize learning and processing efficiency.
Q: How does Samatha meditation differ from Vipassana?
Samatha focuses on a single object for concentration, while Vipassana promotes open awareness of all present sensations.
Q: Did the study find that meditation works like psychedelics?
Yes, researchers noted that meditation reshapes brain dynamics and increases connections in ways similar to psychedelic substances.
FAQ
Who led the meditation brain study? \
The study was led by neurophysiologist Annalisa Pascarella of the Italian National Research Council.
What technology did the researchers use?
The team used magnetoencephalography (MEG) and machine learning to analyze magnetic fields and electrical signals in the brain.
How much experience did the monks have?
The 12 monks studied were professional meditators with an average of over 15,000 hours of meditation experience.
What happened to the gamma oscillations in the brain?
The researchers observed a decrease in gamma oscillations, which suggests the monks were focusing inward rather than on external stimuli.