Even the government organization (NIH) has increased the funding level for the researches which study the effects of mindfulness meditation. Research shows that mindfulness meditation has reduced cortisol and blood pressure and the immune system has also improved. and of course what I am interested in learning the most is the fact that mindfulness meditation may change the brain. Yes, the brain.
Even if we practice mindfulness meditation for a short period of time, our brain shows some changes. We become more tolerant of anxiety and stress. Research specifically shows that mindfulness meditation improves limbic system in our brain. Also studies show that mindfulness meditation may lead to the reduction in activity in amygdala which processes our stress and modulate it accordingly. What excites me the most about this finding is that regular practice of mindfulness meditation can actually change our brain, in particular the size of amygdala which is responsible for our emotional regulation. Amygdala begins to shrink as we practice being mindful on a regular basis. So we will be less reactive and experience overwhelming anxiety.
This is too much science which I don't know anything about but it gets very interesting. Finding also show that mindfulness meditation help the person have less emotional reactivity and mindfulness increases activity in the prefrontal cortex which is the brain region in charge of decision-making, planning, abstract thinking..and also regulating emotions. This is very important for people with BPD and other mental illness.
Credit: practicing-wicca.blogspot.com
