The Science Behind Meditation

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)

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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.

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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.

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Simple Metaphor:

Meditation is like updating your brain’s operating system.

It patches the bugs (overthinking, stress) and installs smoother processes (focus, calmness).