Experienced mindfulness practitioners with extensive engagement in deliberate mindfulness practice displayed greater cortical thickness in areas of the brain thought to be important for attentional control.

Extensive Training and its Implications

As Intentional Mindfulness is practiced, the brain begins to acquire "learned" mindfulness (otherwise known as Dispositional or Trait Mindfulness). Extensively trained mindfulness practitioners have a keen sense of their current surroundings, a deep understanding of the body, and overall contain high levels of Dispositional Mindfulness. 

The Mindfully Trained Brain

The study of Intentional Mindfulness within the lens of Neurobiology. In other words, figuring out what brain functions correspond to the experience of Intentional Mindfulness. 

University of Toledo

A distinct line of inquiry with the goal of understanding which systems of the brain are activated during mindfulness practice to determine the effects that both short and long-term practice has on brain function and structure.

Neurobiology of Mindfulness

Intentional Mindfulness is simply conscious mindfulness practice. Any practice that involves consciously understanding the present moment in any and all aspects is considered Intentional Mindfulness. 

Intentional Mindfulness

Wheeler, M., Arnkoff, D., & Glass, C. (2017). The Neuroscience of Mindfulness: How Mindfulness Alters the Brain and Facilitates Emotion Regulation. Mindfulness, 8(6), 1471-1487.

Wheeler, Arnkoff, & Glass (2017)

A blanket term used to describe the various sub-process that underlie an individual's ability to direct internal awareness of various external stimuli. Examples include "alerting" (becoming aware of stimuli entering one's conscious attention), "conflict monitoring" (mitigating disctraction), and "sustained attention" (the ability to maintain singular focus for an extended period of time).

Attention in Mindfulness

A tendency resulting from conditioning which lowers an individual's neural response to a stimulus if the stimulus as been encountered several times. EEG studies of advanced meditators show a decrease in habituated neural response to repetitive clicking sounds. This phenomenon recalls the Buddhist concept of "Beginner's Mind," which refers to an attitude of attentional engagement with openness, eagerness, and minimal preconceived bias.

Habituation in Mindfulness

Research methods concerning the neurobiology of mindfulness follow the standard scientific model, incorporating a hypothesis, an experimental group, and a control group. Empirical evidence is commonly collected in the form of brain scans via one or more methods including fMRI, PET, and EEG. Such experiments began in the 1960's and have delivered valuable insight into long-term and short-term effects of mindfulness-based practice, but these advanced methods are not infallible. Notable inconsistencies exist within the data likely due to the wide range of mindfulness styles studied as well as a bias to study more experienced practitioners. Data suggests that researchers would benefit from distinguishing the type of mindfulness practice being studied as well as the intent of that practice. 

Research Methods - Neurobiology of Mindfulness

Measurable changes that occur during the active state of meditation - in other words, short term effects such as stress reduction and relaxation. Further study may yield clinical applications in navigating painful memories or coping with impulsive emotional outbursts. 

State Effects in Mindfulness

Measurable changes that occur gradually over extended periods of routine mindfulness practice. In other words, long-term effects such as increased focus, lower levels of impusivity, and a greater sense of well-being. Further study may yield clinical applications for individuals with chronic conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Trait-like Effects in Mindfulness

Mindfulness meditation  may  effect the cognitive processes of enhanced self-regulation, including attention control, emotion regulation and self-awareness.  Scientists have discovered changes in brain structure related to mindfulness meditation in brain regions that control these cognitive processes.

Neuroscience of Mindfulness Meditation

The study of Dispositional Mindfulness within the lens of Neurobiology. In more specific terms, figuring out what brain functions correspond to the activation of Dispositional Mindfulness.

The Neurobiology of Dispositional Mindfulness

Experienced mindfulness practitioners display much improved orienting, a heightened degree of attentional processing efficiency, and greater executive attention compared to controls. Even when they're not actively practicing mindfulness. 

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