The power of meditation for brain health: Interview with Dr. Andrew Newberg
Copyright (c) 2008 SharpBrains
I recently had the chance to interview Dr. Andrew Newberg, one of the leading researchers focused on meditation and brain. Dr. Newberg is an Associate Professor in Department of Radiology and Psychiatry and Adjunct Associate Professor at the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. It studied the impact of the brain meditation, prayer, and how brain function is associated with mystical and religious experiences.
Quuestion (Q): Dr. Newberg, I thank you for being with us today. Can you please explain the source of your interest at the intersection of brain research and spirituality?
Answer (A): Since I am a kid, I had a keen interest in spiritual practice. I always wondered how spirituality and religion affect us, and over time I came to appreciate how Science can help us explore and understand the world around us, including why the man care about our spiritual practices. This, of course, led me to be particularly interested in brain research.
During medical school I particularly attracted by the problem of consciousness. I was fortunate to meet researcher Dr. Eugene D'Aquili early 1990s, which had done much research on the effect of religious brain since the 1970s. Through him, I came to see that brain imaging can provide a fascinating window on the brain.
Q: Can we define religion and spirituality that sound to me like brain processes very different and why learning about them may be useful on a purely secular point of view of science?
A: Good point, the definitions important because different people may be seeking God in many ways. I believe that being religious, such as participating in rituals organized and shared beliefs, like going to church. Being spiritual, on the other hand, is more an individual practice, if we call This meditation or relaxation, or prayer, to expand autonomy in developing a sense of oneness with the universe.
What is happening is that the specific practices that have been traditionally associated with religious and spiritual contexts may also be very useful from a public, secular point of view of health, beyond those contexts. Scientists are doing research, for example, what elements meditation may help manage stress and improve memory. How breathing and meditation techniques can contribute to health and wellness. For example, my laboratory is currently conducting a study where 15 elderly people with memory problems are practicing Kirtan Kriya meditation during 8 weeks, and we found very promising preliminary results in terms of impact on brain function. This work is supported by research of Alzheimer's disease and the prevention of the Foundation, but we submitted a grant application to the National Institute of Health.
Q: Can you give an overview of the benefits of meditation, Richard Davidson including studies on mindfulness meditation?
A: There are many types of meditation – and each of us doing research on different practices. Which of course share some common elements, but are likely different. Dr. Davidson has access to the Dalai Lama and many Buddhist practitioners, as his research on mindfulness meditation. We need help access to Franciscan monks and practitioners of meditation Kirtan Kriya.
At its core, meditation is an active process that requires vigilance and attention, which explains why we often find increased brain activity in the frontal lobes during the practice. Generally you need to focus on something – a mantra, a visual or verbal prompt while you monitor his breathing.
A variety of studies have already shown the benefits of stress management, meditation, resulting in what is often called Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. This we seek now is what are the cognitive abilities – attention, memory benefits? It is clear that memory depends on attention and the ability to filter out distractions – If we want to measure the effect of meditation on the brain, both structurally and functionally.
To measure patterns of brain activation, we used SPECT, which involves injecting small amounts of radioactive tracers in volunteers, and helps us get a broader view of what happens during practice (fMRI is much more noisy).
To measure functional benefits we use the typical battery of neuropsychological tests.
Q: If there is a growing body of evidence behind the health benefits and cognitive meditation – which prevents a more widespread adoption of practice, perhaps in ways similar to yoga, which is now an activity general public?
A: Well, the reality is that meditation requires practice and dedication. This is no easy solution. And some of the best meditation techniques, research, such as mindfulness meditation, are very intensive. You need a trained facilitator. You need it maintain this practice.
In fact, this is why our ongoing research focused on a lot easier to teach and practice the technique. We want see if people can practice on their own at home, a few minutes a day for several weeks.
The other problem is that this is not standard practice, so there are a lot of confusion: many different meditation techniques, with different sets of priorities and styles.
My advice for people interested would be looking for something simple, easy to try first, ensuring the practice is compatible with its beliefs and objectives. You need to match practice with a need: to understand the specific goals you have in mind your schedule and lifestyle, and find something concrete. Otherwise, you will not stick to it (like people who never show up at the health club, despite payment of taxes).
Q: Columnist of The New York Times David Brooks recently wrote two very thought-provoking articles, one on age Cognitive we live, one on Buddhist neurons, where he cites your work. What is the big picture, the main implications for society Search?
A: I think the philosophy complements science, and we are all human beings have spiritual practices for a higher state of being, develop compassion, consciousness increases, in ways consistent with religious beliefs or secular. This is the main theme of my next book, How God changes Brain (forthcoming March 2009): how we develop a shared understanding of our common biology, and celebrate the differences that are based on our specific contexts. We are spiritual beings and social problems.
On the educational point of view, I believe that schools should recognize that learning by heart is not enough and add to the mix practices to improve cognition, and manage stress and relationships.
Q: It is the spiritual perspective May be controversial in some scientific quarters. That would, for example, say that the biologist Richard Dawkins?
A: I would say that we have all the world through the prism of our brain, which reflects our cultural, social, and personal history. His opinion is based on his objective. Same as mine. We all have a belief system. Its not particularly more accurate than anyone.
We should not throw the baby out with the bathwater. I do not think religion is a matter Black and White: Yes, fundamentalism is a problem, is dismissed as data and ignore the scientific findings. But there are good elements: motivation to care about human beings, develop compassion, to perfect ourselves and our world.
Q: Dr. Newberg, I thank you for your time today.
A: My pleasure.
About the Author
Alvaro Fernandez is the Co-Founder of SharpBrains.com, which reviews resources for mental exercise and offers brain teaser selections. SharpBrains has been recognized by Scientific American Mind, The New York Times, and more. Alvaro holds MA in Education and MBA from Stanford University, and teaches The Science of Brain Health
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