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Molecular Mechanisms of Meditation

Molecular Neurobiology volume 48, pages 808–811 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Meditation is a complex process involving change in cognition, memory, and social and emotional control, and causes improvement in various cardiovascular, neurological, autoimmune, and renal pathologies. Meditation also become widely used in medical and psychological treatment therapies for stress-related physical and mental disorders. But still, biological mechanisms in terms of effect on brain and body are poorly understood. This paper explains the basic changes due to meditation in cerebral cortex, prefrontal area, cingulate gyrus, neurotransmitters, white matter, autonomic nervous system, limbic system, cytokines, endorphins, hormones, etc. The following is a review of the current literature regarding the various neurophysiological mechanisms, neuro-endocrine mechanisms, neurochemical substrates, etc. that underlies the complex processes of meditation.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. GMCH, H. No. 102 GHS 51 sector 20, Panchkula, Haryana, India

    Vishal Jindal

  2. GMCH, H. No. 575 sector 2, Panchkula, Haryana, India

    Sorab Gupta

  3. GMCH, H. No. 3335 sector 24, Chandigarh, India

    Ritwik Das

Authors
  1. Vishal Jindal
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  2. Sorab Gupta
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  3. Ritwik Das
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Correspondence to Vishal Jindal.

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Jindal, V., Gupta, S. & Das, R. Molecular Mechanisms of Meditation. Mol Neurobiol 48, 808–811 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-013-8468-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-013-8468-9

Keywords

  • Meditation
  • Prefrontal cortex
  • Neurological
  • Neuroendocrinology