Study Shows Meditation Can Ease Pain

According to Fadel Zeidan, professor of anesthesiology and research at the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion at UC San Diego, this technique can lead to change by separating the feeling of self-awareness and releasing evaluative judgments.

A new study, published in the scientific journal Biological Psychiatry at the end of August 2024, has revealed that mindfulness meditation can relieve pain through specific brain mechanisms that differ from those associated with the placebo effect. The finding challenges the long-held idea that the pain-relieving benefits of this technique are linked to the placebo effect in the brain.

Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine in the United States used advanced brain imaging techniques to compare the effects of guided mindfulness meditation, a placebo cream, and sham mindfulness meditation in healthy participants. The research showed that the technique significantly reduced the intensity and discomfort caused by pain by altering the patterns of brain activity associated with the symptom and negative emotions.

How does mindfulness meditation work to reduce pain?

Second Fadel Zeidanprofessor of anesthesiology and research at the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion at UC San Diego, told CNN, mindfulness meditation can change the experience of pain by separating the feeling of self-awareness and releasing evaluative judgments. Zeidan emphasizes that the practice is drug-free and can be done anywhere.

The placebo effect is known scientifically as a mechanism by which the brain tries to alleviate a symptom, even in the absence of specific treatments. In clinical trials, the placebo effect is common in control groups, where participants do not receive the test substance but may still report benefits.

Mindfulness meditation is an ancient technique that has been used for many years to control pain in various cultures. However, for a long time it was mistakenly considered a mere “placebo effect”. This current study reveals that the mechanisms of action of meditation are very different and, in many cases, more effective than those of a placebo.

Study results

The study included 115 participants randomly divided into four groups: guided mindfulness meditation, simulated deep breathing meditation, a placebo cream (Vaseline), and a control group that listened to an audiobook. A painful but harmless heat stimulus was then applied to the backs of the participants’ legs, and their brains were scanned before and after the interventions.

Researchers used multivariate model analysis (MVPA) to understand the brain mechanisms underlying the experience of pain. They found that mindfulness meditation reduced connectivity between brain areas involved in introspection, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. This pattern of brain activity is known as neural pain signaling (NPS).

Mindfulness meditation was significantly more effective than placebo cream and sham meditation in reducing pain. However, placebo cream and sham meditation did not show significant changes in the area of ​​the brain associated with NPS.

Zeidan and his colleagues believe that with further study, it will be possible to develop more effective and accessible interventions using the benefits of mindfulness to relieve pain in people with a variety of health conditions.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.