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Research & Science

Stay at the forefront of mindfulness science with Mindful.org’s Mindfulness Research category. Here, we dive into the latest studies and findings that reveal the science behind mindfulness. Understand how mindfulness practices can impact the brain, enhance cognitive functions, and improve overall health and well-being. Our in-depth articles and analyses translate complex research into actionable insights, keeping you informed and knowledgeable about the empirical evidence supporting mindfulness.  
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Focus & Attention
Meditation Leads to Better Decision-Making 

A new study  reveals how mindfulness practice can change decision-making for the better. The study, conducted by the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, found that people who meditate regularly use different parts of their brains in the decision-making process. A total of 66 people participated in the study. Those who regularly practiced… Read More 

  • Mindful Staff
  • April 26, 2011
trauma brain
Kids & Teens
Healing Trauma Through Mindfulness 

Studies into the brains of chronically traumatized children reveal that although there can be crippling side-effects, there is also hope for healing with mindfulness practice. Read More 

  • Mindful Staff
  • April 7, 2011
A medium-sized dog with a brown and white coat and large, upright ears is sitting on a dark cushion. The dog is wearing a red collar with tags and looking attentively at the camera. The background consists of a white wall and door frame.
Learn
Mindfulness for Dogs? 

A government-funded study of mindfulness in dogs offers promising preliminary findings, as April Primmero reports. Read More 

  • Line Goguen-Hughes
  • March 31, 2011
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Expert Interviews
Mindfulness Darwin 

Psychologist Paul Ekman reveals Charles Darwin's real view of compassion—and it's not what you might think. Darwin's belief that altruism is a vital part of life is being confirmed by modern science. Read More 

  • Line Goguen-Hughes
  • December 23, 2010
A person with short hair is sitting cross-legged on a rocky shore, meditating with eyes closed. They are wearing a long-sleeved dark shirt and white pants. The background shows a calm blue sea and a clear sky.
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Your Brain on Meditation 

Science has proven that meditating actually restructures your brain Kelly McGonigal tells us about the latest research—and how to put it into practice. Read More 

  • Kelly McGonigal
  • December 6, 2010
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Expert Interviews
Mindfulness: beyond the science 

Ed Halliwell on whether scientific studies on mindfulness can do justice to the transformations felt by those who practice it. Read More 

  • Line Goguen-Hughes
  • November 23, 2010
A whimsical drawing of various stylized faces and headshots surrounding a large red oval with a face inside it. The oval is placed toward the left-center, and the background is light blue. The faces and headshots vary in expression and design.
Expert Interviews
Stumbling on Happiness 

Are we just too stupid to be happy? Daniel Gilbert, Psychologist and author of Stumbling on Happiness, reveals some of the common mental mistakes that defeat our search for happiness. Read More 

  • Mindful Staff
  • September 8, 2010
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