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Related Experiment Videos

Meditation-induced neuroplastic changes in amygdala activity during negative affective processing.

Mei-Kei Leung1,2, Way K W Lau1, Chetwyn C H Chan3

  • 1a Laboratory of Cognitive Affective Neuroscience , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong , China.

Social Neuroscience
|April 11, 2017
PubMed
Summary

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Awareness-based compassion meditation significantly reduced anxiety and right amygdala activity during negative emotion processing. These meditation-induced changes in amygdala activity may transfer to non-meditative states, aiding stress management.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychology
  • Mindfulness Studies

Background:

  • Meditation may induce neuroplastic changes in the amygdala, potentially reducing activity during negative emotional processing.
  • Previous studies have speculated but not verified meditation's impact on amygdala activity during negative affect.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal effects of awareness-based compassion meditation (ABCM) on amygdala activity.
  • To examine if meditation training reduces amygdala reactivity to negative emotional stimuli.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study trained participants in ABCM or a matched relaxation technique.
  • Amygdala activity was measured during passive viewing of affective and neutral stimuli in a non-meditative state.
  • Correlation between practice frequency and amygdala activity changes was analyzed.
Keywords:
AmygdalaanxietyfMRImeditation trainingnegative emotion

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Main Results:

  • The ABCM group showed significantly reduced anxiety and right amygdala activity compared to the relaxation group during negative emotion processing.
  • Increased compassion practice correlated with greater reduction in right amygdala activity.
  • These effects persisted in a non-meditative state, suggesting carry-over effects.

Conclusions:

  • ABCM training can lead to reduced anxiety and amygdala reactivity to negative stimuli.
  • The neuroplastic changes in the amygdala appear to transfer to everyday states, not just during meditation.
  • These findings support meditation's potential for effective stress management and emotional regulation.