Cited by 295Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsMind wandering and attentionFunctional Brain Connectivity Studies

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Meditation leads to reduced default mode network activity beyond an active task

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Garrison, Kathleen A., Zeffiro, Thomas A., Scheinost, Dustin, Constable, R. Todd, Brewer, Judson A.·2015·Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience

DOI 10.3758/s13415-015-0358-3PMC PMC4529365

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Abstract

Meditation has been associated with relatively reduced activity in the default mode network, a brain network implicated in self-related thinking and mind wandering. However, previous imaging studies have typically compared meditation to rest, despite other studies having reported differences in brain activation patterns between meditators and controls at rest. Moreover, rest is associated with a range of brain activation patterns across individuals that has only recently begun to be better characterized. Therefore, in this study we compared meditation to another active cognitive task, both to replicate the findings that meditation is associated with relatively reduced default mode network activity and to extend these findings by testing whether default mode activity was reduced during meditation, beyond the typical reductions observed during effortful tasks. In addition, prior studies had used small groups, whereas in the present study we tested these hypotheses in a larger group. The results indicated that meditation is associated with reduced activations in the default mode network, relative to an active task, for meditators as compared to controls. Regions of the default mode network showing a Group × Task interaction included the posterior cingulate/precuneus and anterior cingulate cortex. These findings replicate and extend prior work indicating that the suppression of default mode processing may represent a central neural process in long-term meditation, and they suggest that meditation leads to relatively reduced default mode processing beyond that observed during another active cognitive task.

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Background
Meditation and the brain – Neuronal correlates of mindfulness as assessed with near-infrared spectroscopy
Gundel, F., von Spee, J., Schneider, S., Haeussinger, F. B., Hautzinger, M., Erb, M., Fallgatter, A. J., & Ehlis, A. (2017) · Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2017.04.002 · Cited by 31
A scoping review for building a criticality-based conceptual framework of altered states of consciousness
Gervais, C., Boucher, L.-P., Villar, G. M., Lee, U., & Duclos, C. (2023) · Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnsys.2023.1085902 · Cited by 35
Contemplative neuroscience, self-awareness, and education
Berkovich‐Ohana, A., Jennings, P. A., & Lavy, S. (2019) · Progress in brain research · doi:10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.015 · Cited by 35
Suspending the Embodied Self in Meditation Attenuates Beta Oscillations in the Posterior Medial Cortex
Trautwein, F., Schweitzer, Y., Dor‐Ziderman, Y., Nave, O., Ataria, Y., Fulder, S. J., & Berkovich‐Ohana, A. (2024) · Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.1182-23.2024 · Cited by 34
Attention and Default Mode Network Assessments of Meditation Experience during Active Cognition and Rest
Devaney, K. J., Levin, E. J., Tripathi, V., Higgins, J. P., Lazar, S. W., & Somers, D. C. (2021) · Brain Sciences · doi:10.3390/brainsci11050566 · Cited by 32
“Brief mindfulness training has been shown to reduce mind wandering [89] and alter connectivity between nodes of the DMN both at rest [38] and while in meditation [90,91].”
Background
The Effects of Mindfulness and Meditation on the Cingulate Cortex in the Healthy Human Brain: A Review
Zsadanyi, S. E., Kurth, F., & Eileen Luders, A. (2021) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-021-01712-7 · Cited by 35
Default Mode Network Functional Connectivity As a Transdiagnostic Biomarker of Cognitive Function
Tripathi, V., Batta, I., Zamani, A., Atad, D. A., Sheth, S. K. S., Zhang, J., Wager, T. D., Whitfield, S., Uddin, L. Q., Prakash, R. S., et al. (2024) · Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.12.016 · Cited by 32
Meditation-induced effects on whole-brain structural and effective connectivity
Filippi, E. D., Escrichs, A., Càmara, E., Garrido, C., Marins, T. F., Sánchez-Fibla, M., Gilson, M., & Deco, G. (2022) · Brain Structure and Function · doi:10.1007/s00429-022-02496-9 · Cited by 29
Uncovering a stability signature of brain dynamics associated with meditation experience using massive time-series feature extraction
Bailey, N. W., Fulcher, B., Caldwell, B., Hill, A. T., Fitzgibbon, B. M., van Dijk, H., & Fitzgerald, P. B. (2023) · Neural Networks · doi:10.1016/j.neunet.2023.12.007 · Cited by 25
Don’t be afraid, try to meditate- potential effects on neural activity and connectivity of psilocybin-assisted mindfulness-based intervention for social anxiety disorder: A systematic review
Felsch, C. L., & Kuypers, K. P. C. (2022) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104724 · Cited by 25
Mindfulness-based therapy modulates default-mode network connectivity in patients with opioid dependence
Fahmy, R., Wasfi, M., Mamdouh, R., Moussa, K., Wahba, A., Schmitgen, M. M., Kubera, K. M., Wolf, N. D., Sambataro, F., & Wolf, R. C. (2019) · European Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.03.002 · Cited by 26
Underlying Mechanisms of Psychological Interventions in Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Image-Guided Radiology Procedures
Chadderdon, A. L., Carns, D. R., Pudalov, L. R., McKernan, L. C., & Honce, J. M. (2020) · Topics in Magnetic Resonance Imaging · doi:10.1097/rmr.0000000000000239 · Cited by 31
Context Regulation of Mind Wandering in ADHD
Bozhilova, N. S., Michelini, G., Jones, C., Kuntsi, J., Rubia, K., & Asherson, P. J. (2020) · Journal of Attention Disorders · doi:10.1177/1087054720956714 · Cited by 29
“…interventions, thought to reduce ADHD symptoms (Cairncross & Miller, 2016), were also found to improve context regulation of MW which mediated an improvement in working memory capacity in a population-based sample (Mrazek et al., 2012), and regulation of DMN activity (Garrison et al., 2015).”
Background
Long-term Chinese calligraphic handwriting reshapes the posterior cingulate cortex: A VBM study
Chen, W., Chen, C., Yang, P., Bi, S., Liu, J., Xia, M., Lin, Q., Ma, N., Li, N., Yong He, A., et al. (2019) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0214917 · Cited by 22
Hippocampal circuits underlie improvements in self‐reported anxiety following mindfulness training
Sevinc, G., Greenberg, J., Hölzel, B. K., Gard, T., Calahan, T., Brunsch, V., Hashmi, J. A., Vangel, M. G., Orr, S. P., Milad, M. R., et al. (2020) · Brain and Behavior · doi:10.1002/brb3.1766 · Cited by 24
Bridging the gap of brain and experience – Converging Neurophenomenology with Spatiotemporal Neuroscience
Northoff, G., & Ventura, B. (2025) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106139 · Cited by 28
“…(Cooper et al., 2022; Berkovich-Ohana et al., 2013, 2024; Adventure-Heart and Proeve, 2017; Trautwein et al., 2014; Ray et al., 2021; Hasenkamp et al., 2012; Engen et al., 2018; Jao et al., 2016; Manna et al., 2010; Fox et al., 2014, 2016; Garrison et al., 2015; van Lutterveld et al., 2017b).”
Functional connectivity changes in meditators and novices during yoga nidra practice
Fialoke, S., Tripathi, V., Thakral, S., Dhawan, A., Majahan, V., & Garg, R. D. (2024) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-63765-7 · Cited by 25
“In prior studies, experienced meditators have shown to have reduced deactivations in DMN during meditation 49,67 and overall modified functional connectivity of DMN nodes 58,59,66,79 highlighting that meditators demonstrate reduced mind wandering episodes during both task paradigms and meditation.”
Antecedents of mystical experience and dread in intensive meditation.
Russ, S. L., & Elliott, M. S. (2017) · Psychology of Consciousness Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1037/cns0000119 · Cited by 23
Spontaneous mystical experience among atheists: meaning-making, psychological distress, and wellbeing
van der Tempel, J., & Moodley, R. (2020) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2020.1823349 · Cited by 22
Design and Implementation of a Brief Digital Mindfulness and Compassion Training App for Health Care Professionals: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Jaiswal, S., Purpura, S. R., Manchanda, J. K., Nan, J., Azeez, N., Ramanathan, D., & Mishra, J. (2024) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/49467 · Cited by 31
“Consistent with our hypothesis based on previous evidence [28,29,31], we observed training-related suppression of cortical source-localized DMN activity, with no such changes found in the control group.”
Method
On the Neurobiology of Meditation: Comparison of Three Organizing Strategies to Investigate Brain Patterns during Meditation Practice
Travis, F. T. (2020) · Medicina · doi:10.3390/medicina56120712 · Cited by 24
A neurocognitive model of flow states and the role of cerebellar internal models
Gold, J., & Ciorciari, J. (2021) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113244 · Cited by 21
Comparing Neural Correlates of Consciousness: From Psychedelics to Hypnosis and Meditation
Moujaes, F., Rieser, N. M., Phillips, C. L. M., de Matos, N. M. P., Brügger, M., Duerler, P., Smigielski, L., Stämpfli, P., Seifritz, E., Vollenweider, F. X., et al. (2023) · Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/j.bpsc.2023.07.003 · Cited by 25
The Black radical imagination: a space of hope and possible futures
Hill‐Jarrett, T. G. (2023) · Frontiers in Neurology · doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1241922 · Cited by 27
“Meditation contains both volitional and nonvolitional elements and therefore includes activation of both the default mode and cognitive control networks (60, 61).”
Background
Meditation and complexity: a review and synthesis of evidence
Atad, D. A., Mediano, P. A. M., Rosas, F. E., & Berkovich‐Ohana, A. (2025) · Neuroscience of Consciousness · doi:10.1093/nc/niaf013 · Cited by 34
“…be supported by findings that meditation involves “switching off” neural networks supporting the narrative-self (Farb et al. 2007, Brewer et al. 2011, Garrison et al. 2015, 2015, Berkovich-Ohana et al. 2016), or attenuating networks supporting the embodied self (Dor-Ziderman et al. 2013, 2016).”
Spiritual experiences are related to engagement of a ventral frontotemporal functional brain network: Implications for prevention and treatment of behavioral and substance addictions
McClintock, C. H., Worhunsky, P. D., Xu, J., Balodis, I. M., Sinha, R., Miller, L., & Potenza, M. N. (2019) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.8.2019.71 · Cited by 21
Effect of one‐session focused attention meditation on the working memory capacity of meditation novices: A functional near‐infrared spectroscopy study
Yamaya, N., Tsuchiya, K., Takizawa, I., Shimoda, K., Kitazawa, K., & Tozato, F. (2021) · Brain and Behavior · doi:10.1002/brb3.2288 · Cited by 23
“From the standpoint of the characteristics of the narrative self and theminimal self, it may be useful to assess the frequency of mind-wandering during the interventions through a Likert scale to distinguish the consciousness between the interventions (Garrison et al., 2014; Garrison et al., 2015).”
BackgroundResult
Understanding the Nature of Oneness Experience in Meditators Using Collective Intelligence Methods
Lente, E. V., & Hogan, M. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02092 · Cited by 18
Shifting Baselines: Longitudinal Reductions in EEG Beta Band Power Characterize Resting Brain Activity with Intensive Meditation
Skwara, A. C., King, B. G., Zanesco, A. P., & Saron, C. D. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01974-9 · Cited by 20
“Consistent with this, research in experienced meditators indicates that long-term meditation training may lead to altered resting functional connectivity and reduced activity within the default mode network (Berkovich-Ohana et al., 2014; Brewer et al., 2011; Garrison et al., 2015).”
Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for People with Parkinson’s Disease and Their Caregivers: a Pilot Study
Seritan, A. L., Iosif, A.-M., Prakash, P., Wang, S. S., & Eisendrath, S. (2022) · Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science · doi:10.1007/s41347-022-00261-7 · Cited by 16
“Neuroimaging studies revealed reduced default mode network (DMN) activation and enhanced DMN-central executive network (CEN) connectivity in experienced meditators, suggesting that CEN negatively regulates the DMN (Bauer et al., 2019; Brewer et al., 2011; Garrison et al., 2015).”
Background
Effects of a randomised trial of 5-week heart rate variability biofeedback intervention on mind wandering and associated brain function
Nashiro, K., Yoo, H. J., Min, J., Cho, C., Nasseri, P., Zhang, Y., Lehrer, P. M., Thayer, J. F., & Mather, M. (2022) · Cognitive Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.3758/s13415-022-01019-7 · Cited by 20
Increased relaxation, less boredom, and a faster passage of time during a period of silence in the forest
Pfeifer, E., Pothmann, K., Claaßen, S., & Wittmann, M. (2023) · Progress in brain research · doi:10.1016/bs.pbr.2022.12.010 · Cited by 17
Mindfulness-based neurofeedback: A systematic review of EEG and fMRI studies
Treves, I. N., Greene, K. D., Bajwa, Z., Wool, E., Kim, N., Bauer, C. C. C., Bloom, P. A., Pagliaccio, D., Zhang, J., Whitfield, S., et al. (2024) · Imaging Neuroscience · doi:10.1162/imag_a_00396 · Cited by 21
“Other meditations (e.g., transcendental, compassion) were not included, as they involve distinct psychological and neural processes ( Fox et al., 2016; Garrison et al., 2015; Van Dam et al., 2018).”
Is Mindfulness Associated With Lower Pain Reactivity and Connectivity of the Default Mode Network? A Replication and Extension Study in Healthy and Episodic Migraine Participants
Hunt, C., Letzen, J. E., Krimmel, S. R., Burrowes, S. A. B., Haythornthwaite, J. A., Finan, P. H., Vetter, M., & Seminowicz, D. A. (2022) · Journal of Pain · doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2022.07.011 · Cited by 15
Psychedelic Experience
Lyon, A. (2023) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198843757.001.0001 · Cited by 20
Cortical reorganization processes in meditation naïve participants induced by 7 weeks focused attention meditation training
Lenhart, L., Steiger, R., Waibel, M., Mangesius, S., Grams, A. E., Singewald, N., & Gizewski, E. R. (2020) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112828 · Cited by 20
Beneficial effects of mindfulness-based intervention on hippocampal volumes and episodic memory for childhood adversity survivors
Joss, D., Teicher, M. H., & Lazar, S. W. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders Reports · doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2024.100769 · Cited by 17
“…involved in mind wandering (Mittner et al., 2016; Poerio et al., 2017), while numerous studies have shown mindfulness meditation modulates the DMN (Brewer and Garrison, 2014; Garrison et al., 2015) as well as its connectivity with other neural circuitries (Bremer et al., 2022; Rahrig et al., 2022).”
Background
Studying the precuneus reveals structure–function–affect correlation in long-term meditators
Berkovich‐Ohana, A., Furman‐Haran, E., Malach, R., Arieli, A., Harel, M., & Gilaie‐Dotan, S. (2020) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsaa137 · Cited by 14
Physical interventions for the treatment of trauma and stressor-related disorders: A comprehensive systematic review
Davis, A. A., Zachry, C. E., & Berke, D. S. (2021) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2021.100401 · Cited by 16
Brain-electric activity during eyes open Brahma Kumaris Rajayoga meditation.Preprint
Sharma, K., Achermann, P., Panwar, B., Sahoo, S., Ramakrishnan, A. G., Pascual-Marqui, R. D., & Faber, P. L. (2020) · doi:10.31231/osf.io/e48bv · Cited by 14
Mantra Meditation Suppression of Default Mode Beyond an Active Task: a Pilot Study
Simon, R. A., Pihlsgård, J., Berglind, U., Söderfeldt, B. A., & Engström, M. (2017) · Journal of Cognitive Enhancement · doi:10.1007/s41465-017-0028-1 · Cited by 16
“In contrast, meditative deactivation of the PCC is associated with enhanced present-centered awareness, reduced mind wandering, Beffortless-doing,^ and improvements in attention and working memory (Brewer et al. 2011; Garrison et al. 2013, 2015; Pagnoni and Cekic 2007).”
Background

Authors: Garrison, K. A., Zeffiro, T. A., Scheinost, D., Constable, R. T., & Brewer, J. A.
Affiliations: Yale University (US)
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (US)
Corresponding author: Brewer, Judson A.
ORCID: Garrison, Kathleen A.
Zeffiro, Thomas A.
Scheinost, Dustin
Constable, R. Todd
Brewer, Judson A.
Venue: Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2015-04-23
Volume: 15
Issue: 3
Pages: 712-720
ISSN: 1530-7026 (ISSN-L)
1531-135X
DOI: 10.3758/s13415-015-0358-3
PMC: PMC4529365
OpenAlex: W2093668364
Cited by: 295
References: 35
Citations by year: 2026: 30 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 37 · 2023: 47 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 5
FWCI: 14.07
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Cognitive Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network (American Medical Association) (submittedVersion)
Funders: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
American Heart Association (14CRP18200010)
Yale University
National Institutes of Health (14CRP18200010)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (K12 DA00167, K12DA000167, T32DA022975)
NIH Clinical Center
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (R01AT007922)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Mind wandering and attention
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
Keywords: meditation, default mode network, resting-state brain activity, posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, anterior cingulate cortex, mind wandering
MeSH terms: Adult, Brain, Brain Mapping, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Neural Pathways, Neuropsychological Tests, Rest, Meditation

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Meditation leads to reduced default mode network activity beyond an active task

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