7/28/2019 Brain Waves and Meditation

1/4

BRAIN WAVES AND MEDITATION

Scientists use a special cap to measure brain waves during meditation.(Credit: Image courtesy of NTNU)

Mar. 31, 2010 Forget about crystals and candles, and about sitting and

breathing in awkward ways. Meditation research explores how the brain

works when we refrain from concentration, rumination and intentional

thinking. Electrical brain waves suggest that mental activity during

meditation is wakeful and relaxed.

"Given the popularity and effectiveness of meditation as a means of

alleviating stress and maintaining good health, there is a pressing need for

a rigorous investigation of how it affects brain function," says Professor Jim

Lagopoulos of Sydney University, Australia. Lagopoulos is the principal

investigator of a joint study between his university and researchers from

the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) on changes in

electrical brain activity during nondirective meditation.

Constant brain waves

Whether we are mentally active, resting or asleep, the brain always has

some level of electrical activity. The study monitored the frequency and

location of electrical brain waves through the use of EEG(electroencephalography). EEG electrodes were placed in standard locations

of the scalp using a custom-made hat

Participants were experienced practitioners of Acem Meditation, a

nondirective method developed in Norway. They were asked to rest, eyes

closed, for 20 minutes, and to meditate for another 20 minutes, in random

order. The abundance and location of slow to fast electrical brain waves

(delta, theta, alpha, beta) provide a good indication of brain activity.

http://images.sciencedaily.com/2010/03/100319210631-large.jpg

7/28/2019 Brain Waves and Meditation

2/4

Relaxed attention with theta

During meditation, theta waves were most abundant in the frontal and

middle parts of the brain.

"These types of waves likely originate from a relaxed attention thatmonitors our inner experiences. Here lies a significant difference between

meditation and relaxing without any specific technique," emphasizes

Lagopoulos.

"Previous studies have shown that theta waves indicate deep relaxation and

occur more frequently in highly experienced meditation practitioners. The

source is probably frontal parts of the brain, which are associated with

monitoring of other mental processes."

"When we measure mental calm, these regions signal to lower parts of the

brain, inducing the physical relaxation response that occurs during

meditation."

Silent experiences with alpha

Alpha waves were more abundant in the posterior parts of the brain during

meditation than during simple relaxation. They are characteristic of wakeful

rest.

"This wave type has been used as a universal sign of relaxation during

meditation and other types of rest," comments Professor yvind Ellingsenfrom NTNU. "The amount of alpha waves increases when the brain relaxes

from intentional, goal-oriented tasks.This is a sign of deep relaxation, -- but

it does not mean that the mind is void."

Neuroimaging studies by Malia F. Mason and co-workers at Dartmouth

College NH suggest that the normal resting state of the brain is a silent

current of thoughts, images and memories that is not induced by sensory

input or intentional reasoning, but emerges spontaneously "from within."

"Spontaneous wandering of the mind is something you become more aware

of and familiar with when you meditate," continues Ellingsen, who is an

experienced practitioner. "This default activity of the brain is often

underestimated. It probably represents a kind of mental processing that

connects various experiences and emotional residues, puts them into

perspective and lays them to rest."

Different from sleep

Delta waves are characteristic of sleep. There was little delta during the

relaxing and meditative tasks, confirming that nondirective meditation is

different from sleep.

7/28/2019 Brain Waves and Meditation

3/4

Beta waves occur when the brain is working on goal-oriented tasks, such as

planning a date or reflecting actively over a particular issue. EEG showed

few beta waves during meditation and resting.

"These findings indicate that you step away from problem solving both

when relaxing and during meditation," says Ellingsen.

Nondirective versus concentration

Several studies indicate better relaxation and stress management by

meditation techniques where you refrain from trying to control the content

of the mind.

"These methods are often described as nondirective, because practitioners

do not actively pursue a particular experience or state of mind. They

cultivate the ability to tolerate the spontaneous wandering of the mind

without getting too much involved. Instead of concentrating on getting

away from stressful thought and emotions, you simple let them pass in an

effortless way."

Take home message

Nondirective meditation yields more marked changes in electrical brain

wave activity associated with wakeful, relaxed attention, than just resting

without any specific mental technique.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, andGoogle:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

Share on redditShare on stumbleuponShare on pinterest_shareShare on

bloggerShare on diggShare on farkShare on linkedinShare on

myspaceShare on newsvine|597

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted frommaterialsprovided byThe Norwegian

University of Science and Technology (NTNU), via AlphaGalileo.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further

information, please contact the source cited above.

Journal Reference:

1. Lagopoulos et al. Increased Theta and Alpha EEG Activity DuringNondirective Meditation. The Journal of Alternative and

http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=reddit&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/2&frommenu=1&uid=515977b1f2d423b3&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100319210631.htmhttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=blogger&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/4&frommenu=1&uid=515977b17f08d1ee&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=fark&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/6&frommenu=1&uid=515977b1aa1751dc&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=myspace&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/8&frommenu=1&uid=515977b16be3a7f9&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=myspace&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/8&frommenu=1&uid=515977b16be3a7f9&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=newsvine&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/9&frommenu=1&uid=515977b1da01245f&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100319210631.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100319210631.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100319210631.htmhttp://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=70952&CultureCode=enhttp://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=70952&CultureCode=enhttp://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=70952&CultureCode=enhttp://www.ntnu.no/englishhttp://www.ntnu.no/englishhttp://www.ntnu.no/englishhttp://www.ntnu.no/englishhttp://www.ntnu.no/englishhttp://www.ntnu.no/englishhttp://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=70952&CultureCode=enhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100319210631.htmhttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=newsvine&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/9&frommenu=1&uid=515977b1da01245f&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=myspace&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/8&frommenu=1&uid=515977b16be3a7f9&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=myspace&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/8&frommenu=1&uid=515977b16be3a7f9&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=fark&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/6&frommenu=1&uid=515977b1aa1751dc&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=fark&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/6&frommenu=1&uid=515977b1aa1751dc&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=blogger&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/4&frommenu=1&uid=515977b17f08d1ee&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=blogger&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/4&frommenu=1&uid=515977b17f08d1ee&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100319210631.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100319210631.htmhttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=reddit&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/2&frommenu=1&uid=515977b1f2d423b3&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptchahttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300&winname=addthis&pub=sciencedaily&source=tbx-300&lng=es&s=reddit&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedaily.com%2Freleases%2F2010%2F03%2F100319210631.htm&title=Brain%20waves%20and%20meditation&ate=AT-sciencedaily/-/-/515977b123962372/2&frommenu=1&uid=515977b1f2d423b3&ufbl=1&ct=1&pre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dalpha%2520and%2520theta%2520waves%2520meditation%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CDQQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sciencedaily.com%252Freleases%252F2010%252F03%252F100319210631.htm%26ei%3DrXdZUYvkOYiQ7AbUroDwCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNH9IXnEZBacAvQr3g1M82Nt-SJgSA&tt=0&captcha_provider=recaptcha

7/28/2019 Brain Waves and Meditation

4/4

Complementary Medicine, 2009; 15 (11): 1187 DOI:

10.1089/acm.2009.0113

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) (2010, March

31). Brain waves and meditation. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 1, 2013,

from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2010/03/100319210631.htm

http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0113http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0113http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0113