Meditation Articles Series

Being called “a fat head” isn’t usually meant as a compliment.  Now with the increasing scientific research being “a fat head” may well be worth cultivating. 

A group of researchers at UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) have demonstrated that meditation increases grey matter.  So, why would you want to increase your grey matter?  Well, we already know that increased brain matter makes you smarter.  But did you know that if you consistently meditate you would change your emotional intelligence? Yes, it’s about meditation! 

In the investigations meditators showed significantly larger volumes of the hippocampus, and areas within the orbito-frontal cortex, the thalamus and the inferior temporal gyrus.  All these regions are known for regulating emotions. 

Eileen Luders, lead author and postdoctoral research fellow at UCLA Laboratory of Neuro Imaging said, “We know that people who consistently meditate have a singular ability to cultivate positive emotions, retain emotional stability, and engage in mindful behaviour.”  She went on to say, “The observable differences in brain anatomy might give us a clue why meditators have these exceptional abilities.”

This kind of research is inspiring, and encouraging to anyone who has a meditation practice.