1.23.2005

More on the Plastic Brain

Here's another take on the story concerning the University of Wisconsin studies on the changes in high-frequency gamma waves and brain synchrony of Tibetan monks, this time in the Washington Post. Specifically, there's more gamma wave activity in "pinpointed the left prefrontal cortex as a brain region associated with happiness and positive thoughts." There is definitely a difference between the trained and the untrained mind.
"In previous studies, mental activities such as focus, memory, learning and consciousness were associated with the kind of enhanced neural coordination found in the monks. The intense gamma waves found in the monks have also been associated with knitting together disparate brain circuits, and so are connected to higher mental activity and heightened awareness, as well."
This seems to me a finding full of hope. The world, so bleak looking, the result of all our actions, and, perhaps, a way to affect the root of all our actions.

No comments: