Richie Davidson: The Science of Mindfulness Meditation and the Four Pillars of Human Flourishing

Anxiety, attention-deficit disorder, depression and loneliness have increased dramatically recently as a result, at least in part, of information overload and a relative lack of time for ‘slow thinking’ and self-reflection. In this episode I talk with University of Wisconsin Professor Richard (Richie) Davidson about his research on mindfulness meditation and the neuroscience of happiness. His research has shown that mental well being is a skill that can be learned. He describes the effects of meditation on neuronal networks and well being and talks about ‘the four pillars of a healthy mind: attentiveness, communication, insight, and purpose. He and his colleagues have developed a free App called ‘The Healthy Minds Program’ which has been demonstrated to be effective in bolstering these four pillars.

 LINKS

Center for Healthy Minds:  https://centerhealthyminds.org

Free Healthy Minds Program App: https://hminnovations.org/meditation-app?gad_source=1

Review articles on mindfulness-based intervention research:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6609495/pdf/nihms-1521077.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6597263/pdf/nihms-1025535.pdf

Review article on challenges in research on mindfulness and meditation:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4627495/pdf/nihms704718.pdf