Different Meditation Styles Affect the Medial Frontal Brain Network Differently By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “meditation has a variety of neurological benefits, from changes in brain volume to decreasing activity in parts of the brain involved with stress.” – Ashley Welch Mindfulness training has been shown to improve health and well-being. It has also been […]
Improve Memory and Frontal Lobe Function in Older Adults with Mind-Body Practices By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Scientists . . . found increases in brain volume and improvements on tests of memory and thinking in Chinese seniors who practiced Tai Chi three times a week.” – Science Daily The nervous system […]
By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Push theories argue that activation of a single ‘God Spot’ causes mystical beliefs, suggesting that injuries to these spots would reduce mysticism. In contrast, pull theories argue that the suppression of our inhibitory functions opens up the brain to mystical experiences,” – Joseph Bulbulia Spiritual experiences, be […]
Improve Brain Function in the Elderly with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Most people think that aging is irreversible and we know that there are mechanisms even in the human machinery that allow for the reversal of aging, through correction of diet, through anti-oxidants, through removal of toxins from the body, […]
Mindfulness Training Alters the Brain to Improve Internally Oriented Attention By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Regular practice of mindfulness can help you grow a wiser, more connected, and stress-proof brain.” – Melanie Greenberg There has accumulated a large amount of research demonstrating that meditation practice has significant benefits for psychological, physical, and spiritual […]
Mindfulness Reduces Stress and Negative Emotions in College Students By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.” – Marcus Aurelius In the modern world education is a key for success. Where a high school education was sufficient in previous generations, […]
Meditation and Mind Wandering Alter Brain Network Activity Differently By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “in addition to altering specific functional connectivity, meditation leads to reconfiguration of whole-brain network architecture.” – Shogo Kajimura There has accumulated a large amount of research demonstrating that meditation practice has significant benefits for psychological, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. […]
Improve Depression by Changing the Brain with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is just as effective as medication in preventing depression relapse among adults with a history of recurrent depression, and in reducing depressive symptoms among those with active depression.” – Deborah Yip Clinically diagnosed depression is the most common mental […]
Mindfulness Changes Neural Activity and Improves Major Depressive Disorder By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “People at risk for depression are dealing with a lot of negative thoughts, feelings and beliefs about themselves and this can easily slide into a depressive relapse. . . MBCT helps them to recognize that’s happening, engage with […]
Protect the Brain from Dementia-Related Deterioration with Meditation By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “the group who performed meditation and yoga at least two hours per week had less atrophy in parts of the brain and better brain connectivity than the control group. This finding gives them hope that the practice of meditation […]