Harvard neuroscientist Sara Lazar discovered the highly potent effects of meditation after she sustained an injury while training for the Boston Marathon. Key Takeaways Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness meditation training enhance brain regions involved in emotional regulation, including the prefrontal cortex. Mindfulness practice leads to increased brain structure changes, improving stress responses and treating conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. Eight weeks of mindfulness training can alter the default mode network and boost enhanced brain connectivity. Long-term meditation practitioners show greater resilience in the human cerebral cortex. Practices like mindfulness-based cognitive therapy strengthen connections within brain networks.
