Mindfulness and meditation as pieces of the self-healing puzzle

2025-02-17

Mindfulness and meditation as pieces of the self-healing puzzle

Lena Gummesson, Neokliniken
2025-02-17
14:12

In recent decades, mindfulness and meditation have gained increasing scientific support as effective methods to strengthen the body’s natural healing processes. Research shows that these techniques affect both biochemical and frequency mechanisms in the body. This article explores how mindfulness and meditation support self-healing through physiological and energetic processes. Meditation and mindfulness are important pieces of the self-healing puzzle.

What is mindfulness and meditation?

Mindfulness: Conscious presence in the present

Mindfulness means being consciously present in the moment, focusing on bodily sensations, emotions and thoughts and their interaction in each moment. Studies show that we spend about half of our waking hours on ‘autopilot’, where our minds wander away from the present moment. Research has also shown that we feel happier when we are fully present compared to when our thoughts are drifting.(1)

Meditation: Mental Training for Balance and Relaxation

Meditation is a mental practice that helps us to become more consciously present, promote relaxation and improve emotional balance. Studies also show that meditation can positively affect our brain waves which in turn improve heart rate variability (HRV) which is important marker of balance in the autonomic nervous system and our ability to cope with stress(2, 3). There is widespread scientific support for using meditation to improve health.

Different forms of meditation

Meditation can be practiced in different ways depending on individual needs and purposes. Some common techniques are listed below:

Focused attention: Involves directing attention to a specific object, such as breathing, a sound or a point in space, and actively refocusing when distractions arise.
Mantra meditation: repetition of a mantra, either silently or aloud, to quiet the mind and reduce mental activity.
Open awareness: Open attention to all sensations, thoughts and feelings without judging or controlling them. The focus is on observing rather than controlling.
Loving-Kindness, Compassion meditation: a practice aimed at developing love, compassion and benevolence towards oneself and others. Often combined with visualization and repeating phrases or words silently within oneself
Yoga Nidra (body scan) is a unique form of meditation that differs from the classic four main groups above but shares some characteristics with several of them.
Sound frequency-based meditation: Using binaural beats or solfeggio frequencies to synchronize brain waves.

The biochemistry of the healing power of meditation

Stress reduction and cortisol levels

Studies show a reduction in pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, such as NF-kB, and lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a protein associated with inflammation.

An increase in the number of CD4+ T helper cells has been observed, which play a central role in coordinating the immune response. Mindfulness meditation is also associated with increased activity of telomerase, an enzyme that protects against cellular ageing and contributes to the long-term health of the immune system(6).

The vagus nerve and the parasymaptic nervous system

Meditation and conscious breathing positively affect the parasympathetic nervous system by increasing vagus nerve activity. This leads to a range of positive physiological effects, such as reduced heart rate, lowered blood pressure, improved digestion and metabolism, reduced inflammation and a higher HRV which is associated with better emotion regulation and increased stress resilience(5).

Effect on inflammatory markers, immune function and cell aging

Studies show a reduction in pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, such as NF-kB, and lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a protein associated with inflammation.

Neurotransmitters and brain plasticity

Regular meditation strengthens areas of the brain linked to attention, self-regulation, memory, emotional balance and body awareness. These changes can contribute to improved cognitive function, increased resilience to stress and better ability to manage emotions.(7)

Meditation has also been linked to increased levels of dopamine, which provides a sense of reward and motivation, serotonin, which contributes to happiness and well-being, and GABA, which has a calming effect and reduces stress. Regular meditation appears to help the brain release these neurotransmitters more effectively, which can lead to a more stable, positive and relaxed state of mind in everyday life(8).

Meditation and frequencies

Brain waves and states of consciousness

Meditation affects the electrical activity of the brain through changes in brain waves, which have been documented using EEG and brain imaging (fMRI). Depending on the type of meditation practiced, different frequencies of brain waves may dominate and thus altered states of consciousness and cognitive processes. Below is a summary of how the most common meditation techniques mentioned above affect brain waves differently and what the common denominators are(9)

Focused attention meditation (Focused attention FA)

Dominant brain waves: Beta (13-30 Hz) and Gamma (30+ Hz)
Effect: Improved concentration, increased mental sharpness and better impulse control.
Examples: Breathing meditations, light meditation (anapanasati, trakata)

Open Monitoring (OM)

Dominant brain waves: Alpha (8-12 Hz) and Theta (4-8 Hz)
Impact: Improved interoception (the stream of sensations from the body and its sensory organs), reduced stress and increased emotional stability
Examples: Mindfulness meditation, Zen, Vipassana.

Loving-Kindness, Compassion Meditation

Dominant brainwaves: Gamma (30+ Hz)
Effect: Increased gamma activity reflecting strong emotional regulation and enhancement of empathic and altruistic feelings. Long-term meditators (e.g. Tibetan monks) show exceptionally high gamma activity, indicating profound changes in brain plasticity.
Example: Metta meditation, Tonglen

Mantra Meditation and Transcendental Meditation (Mantra Recital, TM)

Dominant brain waves: Theta (4-8 Hz)
Effect: a state of deep relaxation where thoughts disappear and only the mantra or its resonance remains. Inner expansion – a sense of consciousness expanding beyond the individual self.
Examples: Transcendental Meditation, Kirtan Kriya

Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra is one of the few practices where the brain reaches delta state without falling asleep, providing deep recovery, stress reduction and emotional healing.

Initial phase: Beta and Alpha → Relaxation and attention.
Intermediate phases: Alpha and Theta → Deep relaxation and increased receptivity.
Deepest phase: Theta and Delta → Almost sleep-like but with consciousness remaining.
Advanced stages: Short-term Gamma → Clarity and insight.

Common effects

Alpha activity (8-12 Hz), calmness and reduced stress, is almost always present in all types of meditation, especially at the beginning and during relaxation. The difference in brainwaves described above between meditation techniques lies in what happens afterwards.
Also common is reduced activity in the Default Mode Network (less thought flight and negative rumination), improved executive function (better self-control) and increased brain plasticity (change in thought patterns and use of the different parts of the brain) making meditation an effective tool for mental and emotional balance.

Cardiac coherence and biophysical resonance

Another way to measure frequencies in the context of meditation is so-called heart coherence also called physiological coherence. Coherence means agreement. Brain waves reflect the mental state of consciousness, while heart coherence shows the emotional and physiological balance in the body. Heart coherence shows how well the heart and brain work together to create inner harmony where the electromagnetic field of the heart is synchronized with the brain waves.

Heart coherence is measured by heart rate variability (HRV), but it is not just about whether HRV is high or low, but mainly how rhythmic and coherent the heart’s variations are over time. Coherence means that the rhythm of the heart follows a smooth and harmonious pattern, where the variations in heart rate are regular and synchronized with breathing(10).

Positive emotions such as gratitude and love tend to create an even and coherent heart rhythm, while negative emotions can lead to irregular and chaotic rhythms. This harmonious rhythm reduces stress and promotes health on several levels: mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.

Different techniques to increase heart coherence

Breathing exercises: Slow, even breathing 5 seconds in 5 seconds out (5-6 breaths per minute), so-called coherence breathing
Positive emotions: Cultivate gratitude, love and compassion (e.g. Metta meditation).
Meditation & Mindfulness: Focused presence and deep relaxation.
Physical movement: Light exercise such as walking, yoga or qigong can increase coherence.

Balanced health through heart coherence, meditation and bio-resonance

The Neoclinic uses bioresonance with Metatron Hospital to measure, analyze and balance the body’s electromagnetic fields. This method helps to restore homeostasis (equilibrium) and support the body’s self-healing processes by harmonizing energetic imbalances.

Research shows that cardiac coherence – a synchronization between the rhythm of the heart and the activity of the brain – can improve emotional balance, stress management and cognitive function.

Meditation and mindfulness are powerful tools to stimulate this state by influencing brainwaves, HRV and nervous system regulation.

Just as meditation can create inner harmony by synchronizing the frequencies of the heart and brain, bioresonance with Metatron can help fine-tune the body’s energy field, strengthening its response to stress and promoting recovery.

By combining these methods, a synergy is created in which the physiological balance is reinforced at both energetic and neurobiological levels.

Furthermore, mindfulness can increase awareness of the body’s subtle signals, making the individual more receptive to the changes that bio-resonance creates. Through this, energetic imbalances can be identified, allowing the individual to direct their meditation there to strengthen the body’s self-regulatory system and enhance the therapeutic effect.

This holistic approach – bringing together modern technology and ancient practices – offers a profound opportunity to strengthen both physical and emotional health by harmonizing the heart, brain and body’s energy fields.