A Comprehensive Review of Asymmetry in Meditation

Abstract

The brain is said to be asymmetrical when the two hemispheres are distinct from each other, structurally or functionally. Asymmetries are correlated with lateralized behavioral and functional features such as language, motor preferences, spatial and emotional processing, etc. It’s unclear how much and to which hemisphere inter-intra individual variation is subjected. It is assumed that brain asymmetry is evolutionary, as unilateral computation and control can be more efficient than bilateral computation. It also eliminates the possibility of hemispheric interaction, freeing up other specialized roles and functions for the opposite hemisphere [1] Different types of meditation such as Focused Attention, Open Monitoring, Loving Kindness, Vipassana, Transcendental, Mindfulness, Rajyoga Meditation etc. are practiced widely. Interestingly, some studies have shown potentially different degrees or patterns of lateralization among meditators with studies resulting in inconclusive findings. Previous studies exhibited distinct asymmetrical findings in Transcendental and Mindfulness meditators using EEG. Recent studies are considering different meditative states such as Loving-Kindness, Open Monitoring, Rajyoga, etc. to determine hemispheric differences using DTI, MRI, and EEG to obtain structural, functional asymmetries among meditators.

Full text

A Comprehensive Review of Asymmetry in Meditation
Pragati Gupta 1; Pankaj Pandey 2; Dr. Krishna.P.Miyapuram 2
1National Forensic Sciences University, 2 Indian Institute of
Technology, Gandhinagar
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Referen
ces
The brain is said to be asymmetrical when the two
hemispheres are distinct from each other, structurally or
functionally. Asymmetries are correlated with lateralized
behavioral and functional features such as language, motor
preferences, spatial and emotional processing, etc. It’s
unclear how much and to which hemisphere inter-intra
individual variation is subjected. It is assumed that brain
asymmetry is evolutionary, as unilateral computation and
control can be more efficient than bilateral computation. It
also eliminates the possibility of hemispheric interaction,
freeing up other specialized roles and functions for the
opposite hemisphere [1] Different types of meditation such as
Focused Attention, Open Monitoring, Loving Kindness,
Vipassana, Transcendental, Mindfulness, Rajyoga Meditation
etc. are practiced widely. Interestingly, some studies have
shown potentially different degrees or patterns of
lateralization among meditators with studies resulting in
inconclusive findings. Previous studies exhibited distinct
asymmetrical findings in Transcendental and Mindfulness
meditators using EEG. Recent studies are considering different
meditative states such as Loving-Kindness, Open Monitoring,
Rajyoga, etc. to determine hemispheric differences using DTI,
MRI, and EEG/ to obtain structural, functional asymmetries
among meditators
Introduction
Methods
•/In particular, specific meditative states impact on
hemispheric lateralization which uniquely influences
cognition and anatomical asymmetry requires
investigation using/ neurophysiological, neuroimaging
techniques for consistent outcomes
•To delve into understanding if the structural/ functional
asymmetries previously present predisposes people to
pursue and continue their meditation or meditation in
turn forms these asymmetries in the region including
attention, emotions, working memory, meta- cognitive
awareness etc related to meditative states.
Discussion
Results
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meditation and structural lateralization. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 10(1), 55-61.
doi:10.1093/scan/nsu029
8.Yordanova, J., Kolev, V., Mauro, F., Nicolardi, V., Simione, L., Calabrese, L., . . . Raffone, A. (2020). Common
and distinct lateralised patterns of neural coupling during focused attention, open monitoring and loving kindness
meditation. Scientific Reports, 10(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-020-64324-6
9.Sharma, K., Chandra, S., & Dubey, A. K. (2018). Exploration of Lower Frequency EEG Dynamics and Cortical
Alpha Asymmetry in Long-term Rajyoga MeditatorsK. International Journal of Yoga, 30-36. doi:11.
10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_11_17
10.Engen, H. G., Bernhardt, B. C., Skottnik, L., Ricard, M., & Singer, T. (2018). Structural changes IN Socio-
affective networks: Multi-modal MRI findings in long-term meditation practitioners. Neuropsychologia, 116, 26-33.
doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.08.024
Fig1:Overview of Hemispheric Asymmetry among Meditators
CONTACT
Pragati Gupta
National Forensic
Sciences University
Email:
pragatiguptag9@g
mail.com