Meditation can sharpen attention, strengthen memory and improve other mental abilities. Scientific American editor Ferris Jabr examines the changes in brain structure behind some of these benefits.


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Does mindfulness training improve cognitive abilities? A systematic review of neuropsychological findings. [Preview] (Clinical Psychology Review) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21...

Longterm meditators selfinduce highamplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice (PNAS) http://www.pnas.org/content/101/46/16...

Evidence builds that meditation strengthens the brain, UCLA researchers say (UCLA)
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The underlying anatomical correlates of longterm meditation: Larger hippocampal and frontal volumes of gray matter (PMC) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/artic...

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The American Psychological Association on the benefits of mindfulness




Credits:
Written & presented by Ferris Jabr
Line art by Scott Brundage & Eric R. Olson
Production assistant: Joss Fong
Produced & edted by Eric R. Olson