Effect of "SOHAM" meditation on the human brain: an fMRI study

Psychiatry Res. 2013 Dec 30;214(3):462-5. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2013.06.012. Epub 2013 Oct 3.

Abstract

The effect of "SOHAM" meditation has been investigated using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in long-term meditators while they were meditating and not meditating. The results have revealed activation in left middle prefrontal cortex (MPFC) (Brodmann's area, BA 46), left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) (BA 44), left supplementary motor area (SMA) (BA 6) and left precuneus (BA 5) during the meditation period compared to the control period (no-meditation period). The results have been interpreted in terms of regulation of the emotional state, attention and working memory of the meditators.

Keywords: Inferior frontal gyrus; Meditation; Prefrontal cortex.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention / physiology
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Emotions / physiology
  • Frontal Lobe / physiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Meditation / psychology*
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology
  • Parietal Lobe / physiology