Meditation is equated to drugs
Meditation using the technique of Zen is very useful in treating many diseases - say scientists.
According to a new study by specialists at the University of Montreal, the people who practice meditation are less sensitive to pain.
These data can be an important discovery for people suffering from chronic pain, such as arthritis, back pain or severe cancer.
"Our previous studies showed that Zen meditation reduces pain sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to determine how they achieve it, "- said the lead author, Pierre Rainville, PhD, Research Fellow at the University of Montreal.
Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), scientists found that while meditating knew about pain, that feeling has not been processed in a part of their brain responsible for evaluation, reasoning, or memory formation.
"We believe that they feel pain, but the brain refrains from interpretation or labeling of these signals as painful" - said the scientist.
Rainville and his colleagues compared the results of MRI of 13 patients, practicing Zen meditation and 13 are not practicing.
Those who have experience in Zen meditation, decreased communication between brain regions responsible for pain sensation and the prefrontal area of the brain.
