tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post5768399840189314536..comments2023-10-05T04:44:25.174-05:00Comments on Addiction Inbox: Exercise, Attention, MeditationDirk Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07429793255785560043noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post-36891488555371685792010-10-03T22:14:38.861-05:002010-10-03T22:14:38.861-05:00The possibility for meditation as a treatment for ...The possibility for meditation as a treatment for addiction goes far beyond relaxation.<br /><br />Addiction has been shown to change the dopamine pathways in the brain, which likely has an effect on attention, namely making it harder for addicts to focus their attention away from their cravings.<br /><br />One class of meditation techniques (mindfulness meditation) is all about attention and has recently been shown to increase gray matter in the orbito-frontal cortex (http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/enlightened-living/201006/research-suggests-meditation-increases-gray-matter). Interestingly enough, that region is involved in impulse control.<br /><br />So the ability to relax during withdrawal symptoms is certainly important, but the ability to "tune out" cravings during and after withdrawal is even more important, and meditation may be a tool to do just that.<br /><br />But as you say, there need to be large scale clinical trials. I hope these trials happen, and I eagerly await the results.Edhttp://twitter.com/edwardlplattnoreply@blogger.com