Findings reveal insights into meditation’s potential as a noninvasive treatment.
A study utilizing intracranial electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings from the brain’s depths showed that meditation affects the amygdala and hippocampus—critical regions for managing emotions and memory.
Research conducted by scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published on Tuesday, February 4, in PNAS, sheds light on why these practices are beneficial and may pave the way for meditation-based strategies aimed at enhancing memory and emotional control.
Prior studies have indicated that meditation—a series of mental exercises designed to enhance focus and awareness—can boost mental health and may aid in alleviating psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression. Alongside its positive therapeutic effects, earlier brain studies have established a link between meditation and brain activities. However, the specific neural processes that contribute to the advantageous effects of meditation remain poorly understood.
“Traditionally, investigating these deep brain regions in humans with standard approaches like scalp EEG has been difficult. Our team overcame this limitation by using data from a unique group of patients: those with epilepsy who had devices surgically implanted for continuous EEG recording deep within the amygdala and hippocampus,” explained Christina Maher, a neuroscience PhD student at the Icahn School of Medicine and the lead author of the study. “It was quite surprising to discover alterations in brain wave activity in these crucial areas, even during someone’s first meditation experience.”
The research team examined eight neurosurgery patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy, all of whom had a responsive neurostimulation system implanted for ongoing monitoring. Before the study, participants indicated they were novice meditators and participated in a five-minute audio-guided baseline session followed by 10 minutes of “loving kindness” meditation. This particular meditative practice centers on cultivating positive feelings for oneself and others. After the session, participants rated their meditation depth on a scale from 1 to 10 (with higher scores signifying deeper meditation). On average, participants reported a significant level of meditation depth (mean = 7.43).
“We discovered that loving kindness meditation is linked to alterations in the strength and duration of specific brain waves, known as beta and gamma waves,” stated Ignacio Saez, PhD, Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Neurosurgery, and Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine and the study’s senior author. “These brain waves are known to be impacted by mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, making the ability to intentionally regulate these through meditation quite remarkable and potentially explaining the positive effects of these practices on individuals.”
This study is distinctive as it utilized advanced invasive neural recording techniques, offering more detailed insights into brain function than traditional scalp EEG methods. The research occurred in the Quantitative Biometrics Laboratory at Mount Sinai West, which is designed to provide patients with a soothing environment free from common hospital distractions. This calming setting allowed participants to meditate in an atmosphere that more closely resembles real-life situations, thereby enhancing the study’s ecological validity.
The research team acknowledged a few limitations in their study. The sample size was small, and the effects of a single meditation session were examined without regard to the impacts of ongoing practice or long-term effects.
“This research lays the groundwork for future studies aimed at developing meditation-based interventions that can assist individuals in influencing brain activity related to memory and emotional regulation,” noted Dr. Saez. “Meditation is noninvasive, readily accessible, and does not require any specialized tools or medical resources, making it a convenient method for enhancing mental health. However, it is essential to highlight that meditation is not intended to replace traditional therapies; rather, it can act as a complementary, cost-effective option for those facing difficulties with memory or emotional regulation.”
The Mount Sinai research team intends to continue their investigation by examining the specific connection between observed brain activity and mood or mental health outcomes. The next phase will involve collecting more data on how sustained meditation influences mental health, further clarifying its potential therapeutic benefits in practical long-term applications.
