Meditate on This: Buddhist Tradition Thickens Parts of the Brain

[sugarimp]

Fri Nov 11,12:00 PM ET

Meditation alters brain patterns in ways that are likely permanent, scientists have known. But a new study shows key parts of the brain actually get thicker through the practice.Brain imaging of regular working folks who meditate regularly revealed increased thickness in cortical regions related to sensory, auditory and

Comments

[laozi]

"What is most fascinating to me is the suggestion that meditation practice can change anyone's gray matter," said study team member Jeremy Gray, an assistant professor of psychology at Yale.

I don't understand why this would have any effect on a researcher other than "no shit", much less "fascinate" said person. You exercise your brain, and the parts you exercise will develop. You exercise your quads and they will develop. When you learn something, you stimulate/create specific neural pathways. Same goes for hearing particular things. Why on earth should anyone be surprised that a person controlling these effects over prolonged periods of time will affect a strengthening of these particular regions?

I should emphasize that I think its wonderful that these experiments/tests are being performed; it's high time that mainstream science turn its attention towards these areas that have been largely neglected for so long despite their obviously practical use for your average human being.

I'm drunk; pardon me if this is belligerant or