1. The Science Behind Meditation
Meditation is essentially a mental training practice that changes the way our brain processes thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. From a scientific standpoint, meditation influences brain structure (neuroplasticity) and brain function (neurophysiology).
Key areas of science involved:
Neuroscience (study of brain structures and functions)
Psychology (study of thoughts, emotions, and behavior)
Physiology (how bodily functions like breathing and heart rate interact with the brain)
---
2. Why Does Meditation Help Us Calm Down?
Because it regulates the nervous system.
Normally, when we're stressed, the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) kicks in:
Increased heart rate
Faster breathing
Muscle tension
Racing thoughts
Meditation activates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest):
Slower heart rate
Deeper, calmer breathing
Muscle relaxation
Mental stillness
When you meditate, you are training your body to shift from a survival response to a healing/relaxing response.
---
3. What Dynamics Are at Play Inside the Brain During Meditation?
Several fascinating brain changes happen:
More specifically:
Reduction of cortisol (stress hormone)
Increase in GABA (a calming neurotransmitter)
Release of serotonin and dopamine (feel-good neurotransmitters)
Functional MRI (fMRI) studies show that even after 8 weeks of meditation, people show measurable changes in brain structure — especially thickening of areas linked to attention and emotional integration.
---
Simple Metaphor:
Meditation is like updating your brain’s operating system.
It patches the bugs (overthinking, stress) and installs smoother processes (focus, calmness).
