New research from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai reveals that meditation can induce changes in deep brain regions associated with memory and emotional regulation, offering potential as a noninvasive therapy for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, according to a press release issued by the hospital.

The study involved eight patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who had electrodes implanted in their brains to monitor seizures. These patients engaged in a ten-minute guided “loving-kindness meditation,” a practice focused on generating feelings of goodwill toward oneself and others. During this meditation, researchers observed changes in the amygdala and hippocampus—key regions involved in emotion and memory processing.

The meditation session led to alterations in the strength and duration of beta and gamma brain waves within these deep brain areas. These types of brain waves are often affected in mood disorders like depression and anxiety, suggesting that individuals may be able to regulate these waves through meditation practices.

This finding builds on earlier research showing that meditation enhances emotional regulation and memory functions. Prior studies have indicated that meditation practices improve emotional awareness and control, which helps individuals better manage their responses to stressful situations, according to Wikipedia.

While the sample size of this study was small and focused on immediate effects, researchers aim to further explore how consistent meditation practice might influence brain activity and improve emotional well-being.

This study contributes to the growing body of evidence that meditation can positively impact brain function, particularly in areas tied to memory and emotion, highlighting its potential as a complementary therapy for mental health conditions.