Latest brain imaging studies have shown that meditating can be excellent on the brain. The research was conducted by researchers from Yale. The studies have come up with very interesting results that show that people who meditate not only have a much better control over their brains but are also protected against dangerous problems such as schizophrenia and autism. Further, the study also goes on to show that meditation can help a person stop daydreaming by switching off the area of the brain responsible of the act.

According to the lead author of the study, Judson A. Brewer, who is an assistant professor at Yale in the department of psychiatry, said that people who meditate have higher levels of happy hormones coursing through their bodies and are happier. This enhances a person’s ability to stop daydreaming. He also said that being able to understand way meditation works can help in solving a number of diseases related to the brain.

Brewer said that there are strong proofs regarding the effect of meditation in solving health problems. Serious problems such as addiction to nicotine are known to be solved. In addition, meditation is also an excellent therapy that helps people cope with stress and recovery from cancer. Cases where incurable diseases such as psoriasis have been cured with meditation have also been registered.

In order to evaluate how meditation helps the brain, the team of researchers considered both novice and experienced meditators. They were put through magnetic resonance imaging scans during meditation based on three different methods. Results of the test showed that in experienced meditators, there was a marked reduction of activity in the Default Mode Network of the brain. This network is responsible for lack of attention, concentration and in bringing emotions of depression, fear, anxiety and worry. Further, this is also the part of the brain that is responsible for triggering Alzheimer’s disease. This was found in all different modes of meditation.

It has also come to light that meditation suppresses the region of the brain that is responsible for selfish thoughts and lack of concentration. It was found that experiences meditators were able to suppress this region even when they are not in the deep state of meditation. In other words, people who meditate develop a new mode that does not allow self centered thoughts to enter the brain. This stops a person from indulging in selfish mind wandering and hence prevents preoccupation of the mind. This preoccupation is said to be the root for a lot of mental illnesses. Understanding the way meditation works can help in curing the several diseases.