Which brain regions are most impacted by meditation?
Written by
Tran Quang
Reviewed by
Prof. Graham Pierce, Ph.D.Through neuroplastic remodeling, meditation physically changes various areas of the brain. These changes result in functional alterations in your cognitive and emotional processing. The five areas of the brain most prone to development are the large areas. They all lend themselves to enhancing various mental partitions. I saw these changes firsthand in my neuroscience research.
Hippocampus
- Memory formation and information storage center
- Develops increased gray matter density
- Enhances learning capacity and factual recall
Prefrontal Cortex
- Executive control hub for complex decisions
- Thickens cortical layers with regular practice
- Improves focus during demanding mental tasks
Amygdala
- Emotional alarm system for threat detection
- Reduces in size and reactivity
- Creates calmer responses to stressful triggers
Your anterior cingulate becomes more effective at emotional management through meditation. This area works to even out emotional responses to the challenges of day-to-day life. You get a steadier emotional state and faster recovery from disappointments. Continued practice strengthens its connections to the emotional areas of the brain.
The insula greatly increases your awareness of your body. Meditation increases its capacity to process the physical sensations of your body, as well as internal states. Thus, with practice, you will be able to identify hunger, tension, or fatigue signals with greater accuracy. This change in awareness helps to cultivate intuitive self-understanding.
These neural changes complement each other to create the ideal brain function. Your hippocampus and prefrontal cortex work together to enhance decision-making ability. The amygdala and anterior cingulate are working to provide emotional balance. The brain activity that results from ongoing consistent practice creates a balanced neural environment that is favorable to mental well-being.
Read the full article: 10 Proven Meditation Benefits for Your Brain
