Change the Brain to Improve Resilience with Meditation By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Mindful people … can better cope with difficult thoughts and emotions without becoming overwhelmed or shutting down (emotionally). Pausing and observing the mind may (help us) resist getting drawn into wallowing in a setback.” – Badri Bajaj Psychological […]
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 Brain Connectivity with Meditation By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “The meditation-and-the-brain research has been rolling in steadily for a number of years now, with new studies coming out just about every week to illustrate some new benefit of meditation. Or, rather, some ancient benefit that is just now being confirmed with fMRI […]
Change the Brain to Reduce Anxiety with Meditation By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “In mindfulness practice you have an opportunity—the mental time and space, if you will—to see more elements of the story, a richer picture. “You may see more clearly as you anticipate a difficult encounter what the underlying emotion is […]
Meditation Alters Brain Responses to Negative Stimuli By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “meditation facilitates strengthening the Assessment Center, weakening the unhelpful aspects of the Me Center (that can cause you to take things personally), strengthening the helpful parts of the Me Center (involved with empathy and understanding others) and changing the connections […]
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. “ […]
Brain Structures Involved in Memory are Different in Yoga Practitioners By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “You may know that yoga is a good form of exercise that gets your blood circulation going, improves oxygen flow, and helps with overall health. But did you know that yoga also helps boost brain function? Research has found […]
Withstand Rejection Better with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “People who have greater levels of mindfulness — or the tendency to maintain attention on and awareness of the present moment — are better able to cope with the pain of being rejected by others.” – Brian McNeill Humans are social […]
Improve the Brain’s Attentional Ability with a Meditation Retreat By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Here’s where meditation begins to show itself as a biohacking marvel. Learning how to interrupt one’s reaction pattern – and then doing that over and over – can reshape behaviour. And if behaviour is changing, then the brain […]
Relaxation and Mindfulness Training Have Differing Psychological and Neural Effects By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “this practice of nonjudgmental self-awareness is one of the most effective ways to improve mood and anxiety.” – Neda Gould Mindfulness training has been shown to improve health and well-being. It has also been found to be effective for a […]