Answer this question to the best of your ability:
How does the type of meditation practiced impact the changes observed in brain activity and working memory?
The type of meditation practiced plays a crucial role in the specific changes observed in brain activity and working memory. For instance, mindfulness meditation primarily targets the development of attention and self-awareness, whereas concentration meditation focuses on enhancing cognitive control and mental concentration.

In mindfulness meditation, individuals are encouraged to observe their thoughts and sensations without judgment, fostering an awareness of the present moment. This practice has been associated with increased activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the insula, brain regions implicated in attention and self-awareness. Consequently, this may lead to improvements in working memory by promoting a more efficient allocation of attentional resources and reducing distractibility.

Concentration meditation, on the other hand, involves focusing one's attention on a specific object, thought, or mantra to suppress other thoughts. This practice has been linked to increased activity in the prefrontal cortex and the parietal lobe, which are involved in sustaining attention and filtering out irrelevant information. As a result, concentration meditation may enhance working memory by strengthening cognitive control mechanisms that facilitate the retention and manipulation of information in the face of distraction.

In summary, the type of meditation practiced impacts the changes observed in brain activity and working memory by targeting different aspects of cognition. Mindfulness meditation tends to emphasize present-moment awareness and self-awareness, while concentration meditation focuses on enhancing attention and cognitive control. Both types can lead to improvements in working memory capacity, but through distinct neural mechanisms.