Until recently, scientists believed that the adult brain couldn’t generate new cells. This has been proven false. New cells are constantly being produced in the brain. If these cells are needed—meaning the part of the brain they occupy is actively used—they integrate into existing neural networks, causing that part of the brain to grow. If not utilized, these cells are reabsorbed.
Even without producing new cells, the brain is always developing and refining connections. Every new memory, every forgotten piece of information, and every new skill learned changes the brain’s physical structure in measurable ways.
This ability to adapt is called “neuroplasticity.” The idea that the brain grows in response to learning was first discovered in the late 1700s but was forgotten over time. In the late 1990s, scientists found that London taxi drivers, who memorize the city’s streets extensively, have larger hippocampi—a brain area involved in spatial navigation. They don’t start with an enlarged hippocampus; it grows through constant practice.
In 2011, Harvard’s Sarah Lazar discovered that just eight weeks of meditation could increase the density of brain structures involved in learning, memory, emotional regulation, empathy, and perspective-taking. Another study by Lazar showed that meditation also causes the amygdala, involved in stress response, to shrink, correlating with reduced stress levels.
It’s well-documented that the brain’s cortex, crucial for memory, attention, thought, language, and consciousness, shrinks with age, leading to slower thinking and memory issues. Lazar found that regular meditators have a thicker cortex, with some 50-year-old meditators having the same amount of gray matter as 25-year-olds.
These findings are very encouraging, especially since noticeable changes can occur after less than half an hour of daily meditation for just eight weeks. They suggest that everyone’s brain is capable of change, making such results universally applicable.
Practicing meditation helps the brain change and improves emotional regulation, increases happiness and calmness, and reduces anxiety. The brain, like a muscle, can strengthen through practice. Meditation acts as mental exercise, promoting brain health, better stress management, and slowing brain aging.
Meditation doesn’t just alter brain function; it improves physical health by reducing inflammation and stress hormones. It lowers pain perception and fosters a sense of calm and control. Additionally, it enhances emotional balance, optimism, and positivity, which can lead to more supportive relationships and less conflict, ultimately transforming our lives positively.
In a course starting March 1, we’ll explore scientific findings on the benefits of meditation and engage in practical meditation exercises, including 12 specially recorded guided meditations. The course, “Optimize Your Brain: Awaken Your Full Potential With Meditation,” is suitable both for beginners and experienced meditators looking to deepen their understanding of meditation’s impact on the brain and body.