{"id":2904,"date":"2026-02-04T15:29:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T15:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanvoiceofhealth.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/your-brain-on-advanced-meditation\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T15:29:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T15:29:11","slug":"your-brain-on-advanced-meditation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanvoiceofhealth.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/your-brain-on-advanced-meditation\/","title":{"rendered":"Your brain on advanced meditation"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"wp-block-harvard-gazette-article-header alignfull article-header is-style-fullscreen has-overlay\">\n<div class=\"article-header__content\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"article-header__category\" href=\"https:\/\/news.harvard.edu\/gazette\/section\/health\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\tHealth\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<h1 class=\"article-header__title wp-block-heading \">\n\t\tYour brain on advanced meditation\t<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\n<p class=\"wp-element-caption--credit\">Illustrations by Liz Zonarich\/Harvard Staff<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"article-header__meta\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author\">\n<address class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\">\n<p class=\"author wp-block-post-author__name\">\n\t\tSy Boles\t<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-post-author__byline\">\n\t\t\tHarvard Staff Writer\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/address>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t<time class=\"article-header__date\" datetime=\"2026-01-20\"><br \/>\n\t\t\tJanuary 20, 2026\t\t<\/time><\/p>\n<p>\t\t<span class=\"article-header__reading-time\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t1 min read\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"article-header__subheading wp-block-heading\">\n\t\t\tWhere do science and ancient wisdom align? Take our quiz to find out.\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>Mindfulness has gone mainstream, with the top 10 smartphone apps for meditation cumulatively reaching some 300 million downloads worldwide. The practice, research suggests, reduces stress and anxiety and improves mood and emotional regulation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Advanced meditation may offer even greater benefits \u2014 potentially leading to transcendent states of mind and awareness, according to scientists at the Massachusetts General Hospital <a href=\"https:\/\/meditation.mgh.harvard.edu\/\">Meditation Research Program<\/a> who are pioneering studies in the field.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/meditation.mgh.harvard.edu\/sacchet\/\">Matthew Sacchet<\/a>, the program\u2019s director and an associate professor in the Harvard Medical School Department of Psychiatry, helped us develop the following quiz on what scientists are only beginning to learn about these deeper practices.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-squares\" \/>\n<p>var gform;gform||(document.addEventListener(&#8220;gform_main_scripts_loaded&#8221;,function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),document.addEventListener(&#8220;gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded&#8221;,function(){gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener(&#8220;DOMContentLoaded&#8221;,function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,themeScriptsLoaded:!1,isFormEditor:()=&gt;&#8221;function&#8221;==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&amp;&amp;!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&amp;&amp;console.warn(&#8220;The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 3.1.&#8221;),o(),0))},initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.callIfLoaded(o)||(document.addEventListener(&#8220;gform_main_scripts_loaded&#8221;,()=&gt;{gform.scriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),document.addEventListener(&#8220;gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded&#8221;,()=&gt;{gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),window.addEventListener(&#8220;DOMContentLoaded&#8221;,()=&gt;{gform.domLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}))},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(&#8220;action&#8221;,o,r,e,t)},addFilter:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(&#8220;filter&#8221;,o,r,e,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(&#8220;action&#8221;,o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(&#8220;filter&#8221;,o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,r){gform.removeHook(&#8220;action&#8221;,o,r)},removeFilter:function(o,r,e){gform.removeHook(&#8220;filter&#8221;,o,r,e)},addHook:function(o,r,e,t,n){null==gform.hooks[o][r]&amp;&amp;(gform.hooks[o][r]=[]);var d=gform.hooks[o][r];null==n&amp;&amp;(n=r+&#8221;_&#8221;+d.length),gform.hooks[o][r].push({tag:n,callable:e,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(r,o,e){var t;if(e=Array.prototype.slice.call(e,1),null!=gform.hooks[r][o]&amp;&amp;((o=gform.hooks[r][o]).sort(function(o,r){return o.priority-r.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){&#8220;function&#8221;!=typeof(t=o.callable)&amp;&amp;(t=window[t]),&#8221;action&#8221;==r?t.apply(null,e):e[0]=t.apply(null,e)})),&#8221;filter&#8221;==r)return e[0]},removeHook:function(o,r,t,n){var e;null!=gform.hooks[o][r]&amp;&amp;(e=(e=gform.hooks[o][r]).filter(function(o,r,e){return!!(null!=n&amp;&amp;n!=o.tag||null!=t&amp;&amp;t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][r]=e)}});<\/p>\n<div class='gf_browser_unknown gform_wrapper gravity-theme gform-theme--no-framework' data-form-theme='gravity-theme' data-form-index='0' id='gform_wrapper_35'>\n<div id='gf_35' class='gform_anchor'><\/div>\n<div id='gf_progressbar_wrapper_35' class='gf_progressbar_wrapper' data-start-at-zero=''>\n<p class=\"gf_progressbar_title\">Step <span class='gf_step_current_page'>1<\/span> of <span class='gf_step_page_count'>7<\/span><span class='gf_step_page_name'><\/span>\n        \t<\/p>\n<div class='gf_progressbar gf_progressbar_blue' aria-hidden='true'>\n<div class='gf_progressbar_percentage percentbar_blue percentbar_14' style='width:14%'><span>14%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class='gform-body gform_body'>\n<div id='gform_page_35_1' class='gform_page ' data-js='page-field-id-0'>\n<div class='gform_page_fields'>\n<div id='gform_fields_35' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below validation_below'>\n<div id=\"field_35_44\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-html gfield--input-type-html gfield--width-full gfield_html gfield_html_formatted gfield_no_follows_desc field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible gquiz-instant-feedback \" data-field-class=\"gquiz-instant-feedback\"><\/div>\n<fieldset id=\"field_35_23\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-quiz gfield--type-choice gfield--input-type-radio gfield--width-full field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback \" data-field-class=\"gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback\">\n<legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label'>1.\tWhat percentage of Americans say they meditate at least a few times a month?<\/legend>\n<div class='ginput_container ginput_container_radio'>\n<div class='gfield_radio' id='input_35_23'>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_23_0'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_23_0' id='label_35_23_0' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>8%<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_23_1'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_23_1' id='label_35_23_1' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>16%<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_23_2'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_23_2' id='label_35_23_2' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>38%<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_23_3'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_23_3' id='label_35_23_3' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>49%<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/fieldset>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class='gform-page-footer gform_page_footer top_label'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='gform_page_35_2' class='gform_page' data-js='page-field-id-14' style='display:none'>\n<div class='gform_page_fields'>\n<div id='gform_fields_35_2' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below validation_below'>\n<div id=\"field_35_33\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-html gfield--input-type-html gfield--width-full gfield_html gfield_html_formatted gfield_no_follows_desc field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible gquiz-instant-feedback \" data-field-class=\"gquiz-instant-feedback\"><\/div>\n<fieldset id=\"field_35_24\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-quiz gfield--type-choice gfield--input-type-radio gfield--width-full field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback \" data-field-class=\"gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback\">\n<legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label'>2.\tWhat proportion of people \u2014 meditators or not \u2014 report experiencing altered states of consciousness like out-of-body experiences or changes in perceived size?<\/legend>\n<div class='ginput_container ginput_container_radio'>\n<div class='gfield_radio' id='input_35_24'>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_24_0'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_24_0' id='label_35_24_0' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>10%<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_24_1'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_24_1' id='label_35_24_1' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>20%<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_24_2'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_24_2' id='label_35_24_2' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>35%<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_24_3'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_24_3' id='label_35_24_3' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>45%<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/fieldset>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class='gform-page-footer gform_page_footer top_label'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='gform_page_35_3' class='gform_page' data-js='page-field-id-15' style='display:none'>\n<div class='gform_page_fields'>\n<div id='gform_fields_35_3' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below validation_below'>\n<fieldset id=\"field_35_25\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-quiz gfield--type-choice gfield--input-type-radio gfield--width-full field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback \" data-field-class=\"gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback\">\n<legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label'>3.\tTrue or False: Meditation is unique to the Buddhist tradition.<\/legend>\n<div class='ginput_container ginput_container_radio'>\n<div class='gfield_radio' id='input_35_25'>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_25_0'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_25_0' id='label_35_25_0' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>True<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_25_1'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_25_1' id='label_35_25_1' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>False<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/fieldset>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class='gform-page-footer gform_page_footer top_label'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='gform_page_35_4' class='gform_page' data-js='page-field-id-16' style='display:none'>\n<div class='gform_page_fields'>\n<div id='gform_fields_35_4' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below validation_below'>\n<fieldset id=\"field_35_26\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-quiz gfield--type-choice gfield--input-type-radio gfield--width-full field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback \" data-field-class=\"gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback\">\n<legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label'>4.\tThe earliest reference to nirodha sam\u0101patti, a cessation of feeling and perception that can happen in very deep meditation, took place at least how long ago?<\/legend>\n<div class='ginput_container ginput_container_radio'>\n<div class='gfield_radio' id='input_35_26'>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_26_0'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_26_0' id='label_35_26_0' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>200 years ago<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_26_1'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_26_1' id='label_35_26_1' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>600 years ago<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_26_2'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_26_2' id='label_35_26_2' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>1,200 years ago<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_26_3'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_26_3' id='label_35_26_3' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>2,000 years ago<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/fieldset>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class='gform-page-footer gform_page_footer top_label'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='gform_page_35_5' class='gform_page' data-js='page-field-id-17' style='display:none'>\n<div class='gform_page_fields'>\n<div id='gform_fields_35_5' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below validation_below'>\n<div id=\"field_35_43\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-html gfield--input-type-html gfield--width-full gfield_html gfield_html_formatted gfield_no_follows_desc field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible gquiz-instant-feedback \" data-field-class=\"gquiz-instant-feedback\"><\/div>\n<fieldset id=\"field_35_27\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-quiz gfield--type-choice gfield--input-type-radio gfield--width-full field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback \" data-field-class=\"gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback\">\n<legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label'>5.\tWhat happens in the brains of meditators entering the advanced meditative state of extended cessation?<\/legend>\n<div class='ginput_container ginput_container_radio'>\n<div class='gfield_radio' id='input_35_27'>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_27_0'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_27_0' id='label_35_27_0' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>Brain regions communicate less<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_27_1'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_27_1' id='label_35_27_1' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>The brain\u2019s basic energy patterns drop<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_27_2'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_27_2' id='label_35_27_2' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>Brain modes linked to clarity and alertness are active<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_27_3'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_27_3' id='label_35_27_3' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>All of the above<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/fieldset>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class='gform-page-footer gform_page_footer top_label'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='gform_page_35_6' class='gform_page' data-js='page-field-id-18' style='display:none'>\n<div class='gform_page_fields'>\n<div id='gform_fields_35_6' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below validation_below'>\n<fieldset id=\"field_35_28\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-quiz gfield--type-choice gfield--input-type-radio gfield--width-full field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback \" data-field-class=\"gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback\">\n<legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label'>6. What kinds of experiences can arise in advanced meditation?<\/legend>\n<div class='ginput_container ginput_container_radio'>\n<div class='gfield_radio' id='input_35_28'>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_28_0'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_28_0' id='label_35_28_0' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>Ecstatic bliss<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_28_1'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_28_1' id='label_35_28_1' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>Profound insight into how one\u2019s mind functions<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_28_2'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_28_2' id='label_35_28_2' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>Deep compassionate states<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_28_3'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_28_3' id='label_35_28_3' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>All of the above<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/fieldset>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class='gform-page-footer gform_page_footer top_label'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='gform_page_35_7' class='gform_page' data-js='page-field-id-19' style='display:none'>\n<div class='gform_page_fields'>\n<div id='gform_fields_35_7' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below validation_below'>\n<div id=\"field_35_42\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-html gfield--input-type-html gfield--width-full gfield_html gfield_html_formatted gfield_no_follows_desc field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible gquiz-instant-feedback \" data-field-class=\"gquiz-instant-feedback\"><\/div>\n<fieldset id=\"field_35_41\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-quiz gfield--type-choice gfield--input-type-radio gfield--width-full field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback \" data-field-class=\"gquiz-field  gquiz-instant-feedback\">\n<legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label'>7. The ultimate goal of meditative and religious practice has been described in some contemplative traditions as enlightenment, nirvana, or salvation. What term is now being used in scientific literature to describe this class of outcomes?<\/legend>\n<div class='ginput_container ginput_container_radio'>\n<div class='gfield_radio' id='input_35_41'>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_41_0'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_41_0' id='label_35_41_0' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>Deep meditation<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_41_1'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_41_1' id='label_35_41_1' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>Final experiences<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_41_2'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_41_2' id='label_35_41_2' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>Meditative endpoints<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='gchoice gchoice_35_41_3'>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_35_41_3' id='label_35_41_3' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>Mindfulness meditation<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/fieldset>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class='gform-page-footer gform_page_footer top_label'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"display: none !important\" class=\"akismet-fields-container\" data-prefix=\"ak_\"><label>&#916;<textarea name=\"ak_hp_textarea\" cols=\"45\" rows=\"8\"><\/textarea><\/label>document.getElementById( &#8220;ak_js_1&#8221; ).setAttribute( &#8220;value&#8221;, ( new Date() ).getTime() );<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>gform.initializeOnLoaded( function() {gformInitSpinner( 35, &#8216;https:\/\/news.harvard.edu\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images\/spinner.svg&#8217;, true );jQuery(&#8216;#gform_ajax_frame_35&#8217;).on(&#8216;load&#8217;,function(){var contents = jQuery(this).contents().find(&#8216;*&#8217;).html();var is_postback = contents.indexOf(&#8216;GF_AJAX_POSTBACK&#8217;) &gt;= 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find(&#8216;#gform_wrapper_35&#8217;);var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find(&#8216;#gform_confirmation_wrapper_35&#8217;).length &gt; 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf(&#8216;gformRedirect(){&#8216;) &gt;= 0;var is_form = form_content.length &gt; 0 &amp;&amp; ! 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Take our quiz to find out. Mindfulness has gone mainstream, with the top 10 smartphone apps for meditation cumulatively reaching some 300 million downloads worldwide. 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