Neural basis of Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the dispassionate, moment-by-moment
awareness of sensations, emotions and thoughts. Mind-
fulness-based interventions are being increasingly used
for stress, psychological well being, coping with chronic
illness as well as adjunctive treatments for psychiatric
disorders. However, the neural mechanisms associated
with mindfulness have not been well characterized.
Recent functional and structural neuroimaging studies
are beginning to provide insights into neural processes
associated with the practice of mindfulness. A review of
this literature revealed compelling evidence that mind-
fulness impacts the function of the medial cortex and
associated default mode network as well as insula and
amygdala. Additionally, mindfulness practice appears to
effect lateral frontal regions and basal ganglia, at least
in some cases. Structural imaging studies are consis-
tent with these findings and also indicate changes in
the hippocampus. While many questions remain un-
answered, the current literature provides evidence of
brain regions and networks relevant for understanding
neural processes associated with mindfulness.

Da https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4109098/