Convergence Neuroscience of Meditative Mind–Body Therapies for Mental Health

Abstract

Mind–body therapies that include meditation (e.g., mindfulness-based therapies, transcendental meditation, mantra meditation, and yoga) have demonstrated efficacy for enhancing mental health in a range of clinical and healthy populations. Of the forms of meditation, empirical research has most commonly focused on mindfulness-based approaches. Existing evidence suggests that, on average, both meditative movement (e.g., yoga) and multicomponent mindfulness-based interventions (e.g., mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based relapse prevention) appear at least as effective as other active treatments for disorders such as major depression and substance use disorder. Results of studies with healthy adults suggest that multicomponent interventions such as mindfulness-based stress reduction have potential to increase empathy, self-control, self-compassion, relationship quality, and spirituality as well as decrease rumination. Translational neuroscience of mind–body therapies has also begun to evaluate the neurobiological mechanisms by which meditative therapies enhance resilience to mental health disorders, and several promising mechanistic domains (neural, hormonal, immune, cellular, and cardiovascular) have been identified. Directions for future research and implications for clinical practice are discussed.