Answer this question to the best of your ability:
What role does the anterior cingulate cortex play in pain perception during mindfulness meditation?
The anterior cingulate cortex is involved in attentional control, emotional processing, and pain perception. During mindfulness meditation, activation of the anterior cingulate cortex may lead to enhanced attention to pain sensations, which can result in reduced pain intensity and unpleasantness. This suggests that mindfulness practice may alter how the brain evaluates and responds to painful stimuli.