Practice strengthens the connection between the prefrontal cortex and the rest of the brain, allowing for better "selective attention" and the ability to ignore distractions. The "Dose-Response" Relationship The authors categorize the benefits based on "dosage":
Meditation quiets the Default Mode Network (DMN), the area of the brain responsible for mind-wandering and the "self-obsessed" internal monologue. This leads to a decrease in rumination and anxiety. Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation ...
In Altered Traits , science writer Daniel Goleman and neuroscientist Richard Davidson strip away the "McMindfulness" hype to reveal what meditation actually does to the human brain. Moving beyond the temporary "state" of relaxation, the authors focus on "traits"—enduring physical and psychological changes that persist long after you leave the cushion. The Core Premise: From States to Traits In Altered Traits , science writer Daniel Goleman
Quick improvements in focus and stress, but the effects are fragile and disappear without consistent practice. In Altered Traits