Mindfulness meditation practice has been shown to alter brain activity in long-term Buddhist monks.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were used to compare the brains of 20 experienced meditators with those of 20 non-meditators. The results showed that the meditators’ brains demonstrated increased grey matter and altered connectivity between different brain regions. The study suggests that meditation may increase the growth of new neurons, a process known as neurogenesis. This can lead to improved focus, attention, and cognitive function. Additionally, meditation has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety by decreasing activity in the amygdala, a region responsible for processing emotions. Further research is needed to fully understand the effects of meditation on brain activity, but these findings support the long-held concept that meditation is not simply a mental state of relaxation, but rather a dynamic process that alters brain function.