The Dr. Jud Podcast Mindfulness and meditation - The Neuroscience of Awakening: Mapping Meditative States
Nov 29, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Poppy Schoenberg, a researcher on meditation and consciousness, joins Dr. Jud Brewer to unveil the neuroscience behind advanced meditation. They explore EEG findings that reveal how meditative states reduce self-referential thinking while enhancing focus in brain regions tied to compassion. The duo highlights surprising neural patterns during deep meditation, emphasizing the transformation of self into a more fluid identity. They also provide practical tips for integrating mindfulness into daily life, encouraging listeners to foster empathy and awareness.
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Study With Seasoned Essence-Of-Mind Experts
- The study recruited 30 highly experienced Indo-Tibetan meditators averaging age 53 with teacher-rated skill levels near expert.
- They completed a guided 60-minute four-stage essence-of-mind session while EEG was recorded.
Low Power, High-Focus Brain State
- Advanced meditators show an overall decrease in alpha, beta, and gamma power relative to baseline during practice.
- Yet gamma increases in the anterior cingulate cortex as they progress, indicating focused, high-level integration rather than zoning out.
Executive Center Activates During Awakening
- Gamma increases localized to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) suggest enhanced executive control and emotion regulation during deep meditation.
- This implies awakened awareness is attentive and integrated, not mere mental blankness.
