Standard MBSR programs have demonstrated potential to ameliorate physiological dysregulation, including attenuated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation, autonomic activation, and inflammation.
Standard MBSR programs have demonstrated potential to ameliorate physiological dysregulation, including attenuated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation, autonomic activation, and inflammation. [17] [18] A study of healthy adult males who endorsed a higher capacity for present-moment focus found they also exhibited reduced emotional distress and autonomic (heart rate) reactivity when exposed to hypoxic conditions. [19] Neural correlates may underlie relationships between mindfulness practices and central nervous system (CNS) function reported in the literature. Higher trait mindfulness positively correlates with activity in the anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortices in healthy adults, both of which demonstrate reduced activity in studies of individuals suffering from anxiety and depressive disorders. [20] Levels of trait mindfulness also correlate with grey matter volume reductions in the amygdala and caudate in healthy adults and greater volume in bilateral gyri of adults with generalized anxiety disorder. [20] Likewise, studies also demonstrate that mindfulness training results in increased blood flow in the amygdala and hippocampal regions among breast cancer patients and increased grey matter concentrations in the norepinephrine and serotonin systems in the brain of in healthy adults. [21] [22] This evidence for shared neural circuitry suggests at least partial mechanisms by which mindful approaches may be beneficial for individuals who are experiencing prolonged psychological distress or difficulty managing stress.