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Meditation has many health benefits, including a reduced sensitivity to pain. Meditators do feel pain but they simply don’t dwell on it as much, according to a new University of Montreal study.
These findings may have implications for chronic pain sufferers, such as those with arthritis, back pain or cancer. “meditators have lower pain sensitivity. The aim of the current study was to determine how they are achieving this,” says senior author Pierre Rainville, researcher at the University of Montreal.
“Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we demonstrated that although the meditators were aware of the pain, this sensation wasn’t processed in the part of their brains responsible for appraisal, reasoning or memory formation. We think that they feel the sensations, but cut the process short, refraining from interpretation or labeling of the stimuli as painful.”
Comparing the response of 13 Zen meditators to 13 non-meditators to a painful heat stimulus, the most experienced Zen practitioners showed lower pain responses and decreased activity in the brain areas responsible for cognition, emotion and memory (the prefrontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus). In addition, there was a decrease in the communication between a part of the brain that senses the pain and the prefrontal cortex.
“Our findings lead to new insights into mind/brain function,” says author Joshua Grant, a doctoral student at the University of Montreal. “These results challenge current concepts of mental control, which is thought to be achieved by increasing cognitive activity or effort. Instead, we suggest it is possible to self-regulate in a more passive manner, by ‘turning off’’ certain areas of the brain, which in this case are normally involved in processing pain.”
The results suggest that Zen meditators may have a training-related ability to disengage some higher-order brain processes, while still experiencing the stimulus. “Such an ability could have widespread and profound implications for pain, emotion regulation and cognitive control,” says Rainville. “This behavior is consistent with the mindset of Zen and with the notion of mindfulness.”
Benefits of meditation:
• Reduces stress.
• Improves concentration.
• Promotes positive thinking.
• Grows inner strength.
Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage therapy for the treatment of a wide range of health conditions as well as for overall wellness. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director.
