Answer this question to the best of your ability:
How does mindfulness meditation specifically influence brain activity related to working memory?
Mindfulness meditation has been shown to have a significant impact on brain activity associated with working memory. When we practice mindfulness, we cultivate an awareness of our present moment experience, including our thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. This heightened awareness can lead to changes in the brain's functional connectivity and cortical thickness, which in turn affects working memory capacity.

One key area impacted by mindfulness meditation is the prefrontal cortex. Studies have demonstrated that regular mindfulness practice can increase the thickness of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions like decision making, goal-directed behavior, and working memory. This structural change may contribute to improvements in cognitive flexibility and the ability to maintain information in mind while performing other tasks, both essential aspects of working memory.

Additionally, mindfulness meditation can affect the activity in the default mode network (DMN), a group of interconnected brain regions that is active when the mind is at rest and not focused on the outside world. The DMN has been implicated in mind-wandering and self-referential thinking, which can detract from working memory resources. By reducing activity in the DMN and increasing connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and other task-relevant regions, mindfulness meditation may help to enhance working memory performance.