Researchers from the Center for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition and George Washington University recently added more weight to beliefs that meditation has great power to help individuals use their full brain potential.
In their study, the team of scientists found that middle school children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) boasted major benefits from twice-daily meditation sessions over a three-month period.
"The number of children who receive great benefit from medicine with minimal side-effects is relatively small. The fact that [meditation] appears to improve attention and executive functions, and significantly reduces stress with no negative side-effects, is clearly very promising," said co-researcher William Stixrud, Ph.D.
The researchers measured the students' brain waves with an electroencephalogram before, midway through and after the trial period. They found that meditation helped the kids perform better on tasks that utilized attention, memory, focus and impulse control. Additionally, the meditation students exhibited better performance on a verbal fluency test when compared to a control group.
Authors of the study theorized that meditation had significant stress-relieving effects for the kids with ADHD. It is thought that anxiety is one of the factors that keeps individuals with the disorder from operating to the fullest extent of their human brain potential.
Results of this study suggest that meditation may be key in helping kids achieve their best in school as well as outside of the classroom. Additionally, the technique may reduce the use of pharmaceuticals for children.
Philosopher and trailblazer Ilchi Lee recommends meditation as a way to strengthen the mind and achieve happiness. He says that the method can potentially lead individuals down a path of betterment and success.
