Die neuronale Basis von Meditation und Achtsamkeit
Abstract
Fragestellung: Beschreibung neurobiologischer Effekte und Wirkmechanismen der Achtsamkeit bzw. Achtsamkeitsmeditation (current state). Methodik: Umfassende, selektive Literaturrecherche in internationalen und nationalen Datenbanken. Ergebnisse: Neurobiologische Effekte von Meditation und Achtsamkeit lassen sich im Gehirn im Bereich funktioneller, aber auch struktureller Veränderungen von grauer und weißer Substanz nachweisen, insbesondere in Arealen, die mit Aufmerksamkeit und Gedächtnis, Interozeption und sensorischer Verarbeitung sowie mit der Selbst- und Autoregulation (inkl. der Kontrolle von Stress und Emotionen) zusammenhängen. Die neuronalen Wirkmechanismen der Achtsamkeit lassen sich systematisch daher in vier Bereiche einteilen: Aufmerksamkeitsregulation, Körpergewahrsein, Emotionsregulation und Selbstwahrnehmung. Auf neuroendokriner Ebene ist eine Beteiligung von Dopamin und Melatonin (Erhöhung), Serotonin (Modulation) sowie von Cortisol und Norepinephrin (Erniedrigung) nachgewiesen. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Befunde sind für die Medizin und das Gesundheitswesen interessant, auch vor dem Hintergrund von therapeutischen Verhaltens- und Lebensstilmodifikationen, im Stressmanagement und insbesondere in der Suchtbehandlung.
Aim: Describing neurobiological effects and mechanisms of mindfulness and meditation (current state). Methods: Comprehensive, selective literature search in international and national databases. Results: Neurobiological effects of meditation and mindfulness can be detected throughout the brain by functional changes, but also via analysis of structural alterations in gray and white matter. These changes have been demonstrated particularly in areas and networks that are linked to attention and memory, interception and sensory processing, as well as self- and auto-regulation (including control of stress and emotions). Neuronal mechanisms of mindfulness can thus be divided, systemically into four areas: attention regulation, body awareness, emotion regulation, and self-awareness. On the neuroendocrine level, involvement of dopamine and melatonin (increase), serotonin (modulation) and cortisol, norepinephrine (decrease) have been shown. Conclusions: Results are interesting for medicine and health care, particularly against the background of therapeutic behavior and life-style modifications, in stress management, and, especially, in the treatment of addiction.
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