Meditation Retreat Produced Psychedelic-Like Shifts in Brain and Body
Published: August 13, 08:00
Source: Science Alert
Image: microgen/Depositphotos
Twenty healthy volunteers spent a week at a meditation retreat, and afterward they showed measurable differences in brain activity, blood composition, and indicators linked to neuroplasticity. The scientists compared some of these effects with aspects of psychedelic experiences, but they cautioned that the lack of a control group and the observational nature of the study make it impossible to establish cause and effect.
How the Study Was Conducted
The retreat program included meditation sessions, breathing exercises, lectures, and group rituals. Before and after the event, the team carried out MRI scans, blood tests, and psychological assessments. The key observations were:
- lower activity in the default mode network of the brain;
- reduced activity in the salience network;
- less separation between distinct brain systems.
Blood plasma taken from participants after the retreat was also added to neurons in a laboratory, where it promoted the growth of longer cell extensions. Blood analysis revealed changes in metabolism and immune system function, as well as a rise in endogenous opioid levels. The average score on the MEQ-30 mystical experiences questionnaire increased from 2.37 to 3.02.
Because the study did not include a control group and was not designed to test causation, the authors say firm conclusions cannot be drawn. One co-author, Joe Dispenza, heads Encephalon, the company that runs the retreats examined in the study. The team emphasizes the need for larger, controlled trials to better understand the mechanisms behind these findings.
These results highlight meditation's possible impact on neuroplasticity and general health, but further research is required before definitive claims can be made.
With meditation and psychedelic practices attracting growing interest for their potential mental-health benefits, studies like this provide an early stepping stone for investigating how such methods may influence the mind and body.