Here’s another compelling reason to take a moment for yourself and discover inner peace.

A recent study has revealed that meditation affects critical areas of the brain linked to emotional regulation and memory. This new research sheds light on why meditation is so effective in promoting mental calmness.

The researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai believe their findings could enhance meditation-based therapies for psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, which impact approximately one-third of adults in the U.S.

Meditation boasts a rich and diverse history, with origins dating back to Vedic India, where it played a foundational role in Ayurveda medicine. Over time, it became integral to numerous religious and spiritual practices across the East.

Fast forward to the present, and the term “meditation” encompasses a variety of mindfulness techniques that have captivated Western audiences in recent decades.

In the U.S., the percentage of adults practicing meditation has more than doubled, rising from 7.5% in 2012 to 17.3% in 2022.

Meditation and similar mindfulness techniques have been associated with numerous health advantages, including reducing blood pressure, enhancing sleep quality, strengthening the immune system, and even aiding digestion.

Additionally, meditation is proven to assist in managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. While earlier studies have pointed out meditation’s benefits for mental health, the underlying brain mechanisms were previously not well understood — until now.

“Historically, studying these deep brain regions in humans using standard techniques like scalp EEG has been difficult,” remarked Christina Maher, a PhD neuroscience student and lead author of the study, in a statement.

Maher and her team successfully tackled this challenge by collaborating with eight patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who had electrodes implanted in their amygdala and hippocampus, enabling continuous monitoring of their brain activity.

The participants, who were new to meditation, engaged in a ten-minute guided “loving-kindness meditation.” This technique, which centers on fostering positive thoughts for oneself and others, resulted in modifications in the strength and duration of beta and gamma brain waves.

“These specific brain waves are often altered in mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. The ability to consciously influence them through meditation is quite remarkable and may clarify the beneficial effects of these practices on individuals,” stated Dr. Ignacio Saez, associate professor of neuroscience, neurosurgery, and neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine and the study’s senior author.

Although the findings are encouraging, the study has some limitations. The sample size was relatively small, and the effects of a single session of meditation were analyzed without exploring the benefits of repeated practice or long-term effects.

Nonetheless, this research sets the stage for future studies that could lead to therapeutic options for those dealing with anxiety and depression.

“Meditation is non-invasive, easily accessible, and requires no special tools, making it a user-friendly approach for enhancing mental wellness,” emphasized Saez, while also noting that meditation should not replace traditional therapy.

Instead, he suggested it could act as a helpful, low-cost complement for individuals facing challenges with memory and emotional regulation.

The team at Mount Sinai plans to conduct follow-up studies to further investigate the connections between brain activity and mental health outcomes, focusing on the long-term effects of meditation.