The amount of gray matter in the amygdala, the brain’s primary stress response center, has been found to correlate with stress levels. According to a study led by Sarah Lazar, after just eight weeks of daily meditation practice, brain scans showed a reduction in gray matter in the amygdala, resulting in decreased feelings of stress among participants.
This study also found that the amygdala is not responsive to environmental change, meaning that stress levels do not decrease even after a stressful period has ended. However, meditation practice can change the brain and reduce stress, as evidenced by the study’s findings.
In the words of Sarah Lazar,
“Meditation can literally change your brain”.
Reference:
Sarah Lazar, How meditation can reshape our brains, TEDX
