Zen meditation reduces Pain

Zen meditation has many positive aspects; one being the ability to reduce pain. A study was conducted to specifically determine how Zen meditation enables people to experience less pain. The Université de Montréal's findings were published in their month's issue of Pain.

It has already been determined that Zen meditation does indeed reduce pain receptors but this study dove deeper into the realm of science to determine how this is achieved. The scientist used the technology of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to help them understand the affects of Zen meditation when experiencing pain.

The study took 13 Zen mediators and 13 non-Zen mediators and compared their MRI's during exposure to pain. They were exposed to a painful heat stimulus. The more experienced the Zen mediators showed less pain on the MRI's, this was expressed in a lower response in the part of the brain that are responsible for cognition, emotion and memory (the prefrontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus). This is new and enlightening research as previously we have thought that an increase of cognitive function helps control pain tolerance but this study suggests that a more passive approach has a greater ability to feel less pain. In other word Zen meditation enables the brain to shut down or shut off certain areas of the brain helping the brain ignore pain.  

The MRI's show that the Zen mediators acknowledge the pain and feel it but don't dwell on it and therefore are able to reduce the intensity of the pain.

Zen meditation is a form of yoga, based on the Buddhist religion. It focuses on seeking enlightenment and seeing reality as it really is. It enables people to gain a perspective and rise above intolerances.