Answer this question to the best of your ability:
What are some specific brain regions affected by meditation?
Meditation has a wide-ranging impact on several brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and insula. The prefrontal cortex is involved in executive functions such as decision making, attention, and memory, and its gray matter density increases with long-term meditation practice. The amygdala, which plays a role in stress and anxiety, experiences reduced activity during meditation. The hippocampus, crucial for learning and memory, also benefits from meditation, showing increased thickness in long-term meditators. Finally, the insula, linked to self-awareness and empathy, demonstrates enhanced activation during mindfulness practices.