Interview with Yale doctor: Does meditation change the brain?

Dr. Judson Brewer, medical director of the Yale Therapeutic Neuroscience Clinic, is interviewed on Canadian radio science program Quirks & Quarks about a new study suggesting that meditation has a positive impact on brain activity.

Does mindfulness meditation actually change the way the brain operates? Dr. Brewer and his researchers at Yale used Functional MRI imaging to study both experienced and novice meditators. They found that meditation seemed to reduce activity in parts of the brain associated with mind wandering and extraneous (and often negative) thoughts. 

Listen to Dr. Brewer discuss the study in the podcast. (9 minutes)

Want to know more about meditation and brain science? Visit our Science section, or click here for news coverage on the subject on Mindful.org.

01/31/12