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Email this article Specificity, Functions and Mechanisms of Meditative States in the Light of Neuropsychological Research on Mindfulness
Abstract
Neuropsychological findings suggest that mindfulness state (meditation state) can be shown as higher state of consciousness, which differs from relaxation state (requires much more energy) and alertness (domination of parasympathetic activation). At the higher level of meditation (low demand for energy), there occur increased activation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), left insula and striatum, and reduction of activation of the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) and parietal cortex. Meditation plays an important role in top-down switching (early noticing of the stimulus – 100 msec. after appearance of the stimulus) and maintenance of the attention (dealing with mind wandering). Crucial mechanisms occurring during meditation states are: vertical synchronization of brain steam, limbic system and neocortex (higher attention of stimuli), bilateral hemispheric activation (deeper insight on negative emotions and unconsciousness) and domination of gamma band fluctuations (high speed of information propagation). Specificity, functions and mechanisms occurring in meditative states have a positive influence on many aspects of the humane life (bodily regulation, attuned communication, emotional balance, fear extinction, response flexibility, insight, empathy, intuition and morality).
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17951/j.2017.30.1.111
Date of publication: 2017-07-11 21:56:18
Date of submission: 2016-04-28 16:10:29
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