Increase Brain Activity with Brief Exercise and Meditation By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Meditating for a few minutes might help rein in those wandering thoughts and help you stay focused throughout the day. But meditating can have an even bigger impact. Some studies show that it affects the brain in various ways, […]
Improve Working Memory and Increase Brain Activity with a Single Focused Meditation in Novice Meditators By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Regular meditation increases blood flow to the brain, which leads to a stronger network of blood vessels in the cerebral cortex and reinforces memory capacity.” – Mindworks Humans have both an amazing […]
Enhance Attention and Attentional Brain Systems with Meditation By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “intensive and continued meditation practice is associated with enduring improvements in sustained attention,” – Anthony Zanesco There has accumulated a large amount of research demonstrating that mindfulness has significant benefits for psychological, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. It even improves high level […]
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a severe mood disorder that includes mood dysregulation and cognitive impairment. It is estimated that 16 million adults in the U.S. (6.9% of the population suffered from major depression in the past year and affects females (8.4%) to a great extent than males (5.2%). It is second-leading cause of disability […]
Improve Brain Systems Underlying Sustained Attention in Sixth Graders with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “research suggests that mindfulness meditation can increase awareness of our thoughts, or meta-cognitive awareness, as well as regulate emotion, enhance attention and reduce stress. These changes can also be detected in the brain.” – B. Grace Bullock Childhood is […]
Improve the Brain’s Attentional Networks with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “MBSR and RR body scans both induced a common increased functional connectivity between the brain’s ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which plays a role in attention.” – GORAMA The nervous system is a dynamic entity, constantly changing and adapting to the […]
Social Mindfulness is Reduced in Patients with Psychosis By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “There is increasing evidence that specially adapted mindfulness techniques can be used safely and effectively in the management and treatment of severe mental health problems, such as psychosis.” – Carly Samson Psychoses are mental health problems that cause […]
Improve Connectivity of Brain Areas Underlying Executive Cognitive Function with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Think of mindfulness practices as short routines or “gym” sessions that exercise your executive functions. Performed consistently, mindfulness practices strengthen your executive function muscles and help you to be more mindful when you need to be. “ […]
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 […]
Strengthen the Brain to Prevent Aging Cognitive Decline with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Another great benefit of Tai Chi is that it’s accessible to people of all ages and fitness abilities. It’s the focus on the subtle movements that exercise the brain and boost cognitive abilities.” – Karl Romain […]