Over the last two decades yoga has become increasingly popular. When practicing yoga the goal is to attain a tranquil state of spiritual insight that cleanses the body through meditation. Meditation allows individuals to increase their mental health and master self-awareness, emotional control as well as self-regulation. The variety of poses incorporated in yoga practice is also physically challenging. This practice can be described as a double edge sword; not only does yoga keep your body in good physical shape but according to recent studies it can also change the shape of your brain!
The brain has numerous gyri and sulci that resemble hills and valleys; their presence increases the surface area of the brain and allows for more connections to be formed between neurons. Scientists at UCLA studied the brain differences between mediators and non-meditators with respect to brain gyrification (the degree of folding). This study used 100 people, 50 were non-meditators and 50 were meditators. Test subjects underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) so scientists could study and calculate the gyrification of their brain. MRI is a widely used technique in neuroscience that produces a detailed three-dimensional image of the brain.
After many calculations and statistical analyses scientists found that meditators exhibited more gyrification than the non-meditators. Although there were different areas in the brain that showed changes in gyrification the most pronounced difference was seen in the right anterior dorsal insula. The insula (Latin for island) is part of the cerebral cortex and can be located by pulling apart the lateral fissure, which runs between the frontal lobe (located behind the forehead) and temporal lobe (located above your ear). This right anterior insula can aid in awareness of body states. Neural activity seen in the insula predicts a person’s interoceptive accuracy, meaning they are better able to judge the timing of their own heartbeat.
Other studies have revealed that activation of the insula occurs during meditative states. The insula plays a role in switching between the central executive network, which controls and regulates cognitive processing, and the default mode network (DMN). The DMN is active during states of daydreaming and mind wandering. Successful meditators may have the ability to switch their DMN on and off meaning they may have the ability to control spontaneous mental activity.
One may be quick to attribute the differences in gyrification of the brain to genetics; however, while the folding pattern can be linked to genetics, the degree of folding is attributed to the brain’s plasticity through life. The practice of meditation can impact the gyrification of an individual’s brain. This study also found that as the years of meditation practice increased so did the complexity of the insula. Active meditation induces changes at the micro-anatomical level first by changing the neurons, which in turn can alter the morphology of the gyri and sulci of the brain causing change in the folding of the cortical surface.
We all place great importance on physical activity and being in good shape, now it is time to apply that to our brain. Next time you find yourself daydreaming while in class or feel your mind wandering while trying to complete a paper, take a time-out and meditate!
Source: Luders, E., Kurth, F., Mayer, E. A., Toga, A. W., Narr, K. L., Gaser, C. (2012). The unique brain anatomy of meditation practitioners: Alterations in cortical gyrification. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 6(34), 1-9
