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Updated: Nov 11, 2025

Combining Behavior and EEG to Study the Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Episodic Memory
Published on: May 11, 2020
Brain activity during meditation in first-time meditators
Maciej Śliwowski1, Paulina Jastrzębska1, Paweł Holas2
1Department of Biomedical Physics, Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
First-time meditation alters brain activity, decreasing information flow in theta and alpha frequencies. This suggests increased alertness rather than a typical meditative state in novice practitioners.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Electrophysiological correlates of meditation are documented in experienced practitioners.
- Limited research exists on brain activity during initial meditation experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate electrophysiological correlates of a single guided mindfulness meditation session.
- Examine brain activity in subjects with no prior meditation experience.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed electroencephalogram (EEG) in 16 healthy meditation novices.
- Assessed changes in signal power, hemispheric asymmetry, and inter-channel information flow.
- Compared meditation to a passive listening control condition.
Main Results:
- Information flow decreased in theta (4-8 Hz) and alpha (8-13 Hz) bands during meditation.
- Observed a trend of decreased alpha power across the scalp.
- Results suggest increased alertness/vigilance in novices.
Conclusions:
- EEG correlates in meditation novices differ from those in experienced practitioners.
- This study expands knowledge on neural oscillations during breathing meditation.
- Findings highlight unique brain activity patterns in first-time meditators.
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