How Mindfulness Impacts the Brain

One possible way that mindfulness may reduce stress and anxiety is found in the growing body of neuroimaging research that shows increased connectivity in the brain regions involved in attention, emotional control, emotional processing, and self-awareness. In addition mindfulness is associated with down-regulation of the amygdala, the area of the brain associated with the threat response. The brain regions in which mindfulness has demonstrated an effect are summarized in the table below.