Dr. Jud Brewer
Dr. Jud Brewer
Mindfulness and meditation - Taming the Wandering Mind: Meditation and the Default Mode Network
Mindfulness and meditation - Taming the Wandering Mind: Meditation and the Default Mode Network
Mindfulness and meditation - Taming the Wandering Mind: Meditation and the Default Mode Network
Saturday 5th July 2025
Explore how meditation reduces mind-wandering and boosts mental health in this insightful podcast with Dr. Jud Brewer.
13 minutes
Informative
Hopeful
Educational
Supportive
Engaging
About this podcast
Author:
Dr. Jud Brewer
Overview:
Categories:
Mindful Recovery
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindfulness & Technology in Health
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Navigating Intimate Relationships
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Episodes:
62 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Meditation's Impact on Your Mind: Quieting the Wandering Brain
Episode Overview
- Meditation reduces default mode network activity.
- Experienced meditators show less mind-wandering.
- Different meditation types share similar brain effects.
- Brief mindfulness practices can benefit mental health.
- Meditation enhances emotional resilience and focus.
Meditation isn't just helping us chill out, it's actually doing something more targeted.
Have you ever wondered how meditation can actually change your brain? Dr. Jud Brewer and Dr. Kathleen Garrison are here to shed light on this intriguing topic in their episode of The Dr. Jud Podcast. With a blend of science and casual conversation, they explore how meditation affects the default mode network (DMN) - that sneaky part of your brain responsible for mind-wandering and self-referential thinking.
The episode highlights a study showing that experienced meditators exhibit reduced DMN activity, suggesting that meditation isn't just about relaxation but actively suppressing the DMN. Dr. Brewer and Dr. Garrison discuss different types of meditation, including concentration, loving-kindness, and choiceless awareness, revealing that all can lead to similar reductions in DMN activity. This suggests a shared neural mechanism across various practices, offering exciting implications for mental health.
They also delve into how a quieter DMN could mean less rumination and anxiety, making it easier to stay present and focused. Whether you're a seasoned meditator or just dabbling, there's good news: even brief mindfulness practices can have positive effects. Meditation is likened to a workout for your brain, strengthening mental muscles over time.
The episode wraps up with insights into how meditation impacts other brain networks, like the frontoparietal network for attention and the limbic system for emotional responses. If you're curious about how meditation can shape your brain and enhance your mental well-being, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the potential of neuroplasticity. So why not give it a listen and see what benefits meditation might bring to your life?