Answer this question to the best of your ability:
What specific changes does meditation cause in the brain's structure and function?
Meditation has been shown to produce several structural and functional changes in the brain. On a structural level, consistent meditation practice can increase the thickness of the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with executive functions such as decision making, attention control, and self-awareness. Additionally, meditation has been linked to an increase in the size of the hippocampus, a region critical for learning and memory. On a functional level, meditation can strengthen the default mode network (DMN), a collection of brain areas that are active when the mind is at rest and not focused on the outside world. This strengthening may lead to improved self-awareness and reduced mind-wandering. Furthermore, meditation can enhance connectivity between different brain regions, improving communication within the brain and facilitating more efficient neural processing.