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The brain contains hundreds of billions of nerve cells. Researchers believe our thoughts are created when large groupings of these nerve cells “fire,” or send messages to each other, through bursts of electrical activity at the same . Many scientists believe that synchronized neural firing, which occurs when masses of nerve cells fire or emit electrical signals at the same at the same time, lies at the root of numerous functions, including memory and perception. activity, in particular, exerts a powerful influence on the brain because the production of gamma waves involves thousands of nerve cells moving at extremely high speeds in unison. Interestingly enough, Davidson found that the gamma waves in the monks showed much greater activation, and the movement of the waves was far better organized and coordinated than in the non-meditating students. The meditation novices showed only a slight increase in activity while meditating, while some of the monks produced activity more powerful

The unusual collaboration between psychiatrist Richard Davidson and several Buddhist monks unveils the possibility that the brain, like the rest of the body, can be intentionally. Davidson and his colleagues put forth the idea that the phenomena of meditation can be translated into high- gamma waves and brain synchronization, or coordination. Additionally, he found that meditation results in a redistribution of in the brain, as well as a decline in the loss of . These data suggest that meditation may induce short-term and long-term neural changes. These neural changes allow nerve cells to communicate and operate more effectively, thereby protecting and prolonging the vitality of the brain and several important brain functions. This finding is hopeful and encouraging for people with HD because it shows that there are things that can be done to actively combat the disease. Just as physical exercise sculpts the body and increases physical health, mental exercise sculpts the brain andincreases mental health. With sufficient mental exercise and training, it is possible that the onset and progression of several common HD can be delayed. Meditation simply serves as a form of mental exercise; the key is to frequently train the mind. In the future Davidson hopes “to better understand the potential importance of this kind of mental training and increase the likelihood that it will be taken seriously.”

For Further Reading

Cyranoski, David. Neuroscientists see red over Dali Lama. Nature 2005; 436: 452. Ellerman, Derek. “Buddhism and the Brain.” .This highly technical article is an examination of the neuroscience behind Buddhist meditation and insight. Lutz, A., Greischar, L.L., Rawlings, N.B., Ricard, M., & R.J. Davidson. “Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice.” Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2004; 101(46): 16369-73.This paper describes the study in which Davidson’s lab used EEG testing on Buddhist monks and novices. It is fairly easy to read, but it does go into detail about high amplitude gamma waves and synchronizations. Thitavanno, Pichitr. A Buddhist Way of Mental Training. (Self-Published). 2002This book was written by a Buddhist monk and it describes the Buddhist philosophy, as well as the basics of mental training. This site describes the various types of brain waves and also contains several news articles about the relationship between meditation and thebrain. The Mind and Life Institute is dedicated to creating a powerful working collaboration and research partnership between modern science and Buddhism: the world’s two most powerful traditions for understanding the nature of reality and investigating the mind. Contains links to articles, conferences and events, news articles, books, and research initiatives Wallace, Alan. Buddhism and Science: Breaking New Ground. Columbia University Press, NY: 2003.This book brings together distinguished philosophers, Buddhist scholars, physicists, and scientists to examine the contrasts and connections between the worlds of Western science and Eastern spirituality.