Neurocognitive mechanisms behind mindfulness

Abstract

Introduction

Clinical applications of mindfulness have become widespread since the introduction of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a treatment program originally developed for the management of chronic pain. Neuroimaging techniques have allowed uncovering the neural mechanisms behind Mindfulness techniques.

Objective

To review some of the psychological and neural mechanisms behind mindfulness practice in order to explore the unique factors that account for its positive impact on emotional regulation and health.

Aims

Psychological and neural mechanisms behind mindfulness practice are reviewed.

Methods

A literature review of the theme is surveyed. Several articles were searched on Medline with the keywords “mindfulness”, “meditation”, “neurobiology” and “neurocognitive”.

Results

Mindfulness may achieve effective outcomes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and other psychopathologies through the contribution of emotional regulation. Cognitive reappraisal has been suggested as a core cognitive control skill whereby mindfulness practice may regulate emotions. It seems that a neural circuit comprising the prefrontal cortex (PFC), the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the amygdala (A), and the insula (I) are involved in the unique processes of mindful emotion regulation.

Conclusions

Recent models of mindfulness allow for more rigorous examination and operationalization of the method to guide research. Increasingly investigators are focusing on the impact that mindfulness has on emotional regulation, which accounts for the effects on mental health.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.