Research Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging · 2011

Hölzel et al. — Gray Matter after MBSR

Hölzel et al. — Gray Matter after MBSR

MRI evidence of regional gray-matter density change after an eight-week mindfulness-based intervention. Structure, time, a program — not a tone.

Hölzel et al. (2011). Psychiatry Res. Neuroimaging. · PMID 21071182 · Shelf

Britta K. Hölzel and colleagues reported increases in gray-matter density associated with an eight-week MBSR course. The paper is widely cited and widely over-captioned.

Who, where, when

Massachusetts General / Harvard mindfulness neuroimaging. PMID 21071182.

What the work actually did

Longitudinal MRI around a structured mindfulness program. Regional density changes versus waitlist-style comparison as reported.

What it does not prove

Sample, replication, and the meaning of density changes are all live topics. Eight weeks of class plus home practice is not a binaural preset. Do not put this scan on an album cover.

How to use this page

Respect the time scale. People change with practice. Headphones are optional furniture.

Editorial reading of published research. The official paper is authoritative. Not medical advice. Not a claim that consumer audio recreates a trial protocol.

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