Impact of meditation on emotion, its regulation, associated body and brain function, and the moderating influence of common genetic polymorphisms.

Strategic opportunity: To improve understanding of brain and body responses associated with the impact of meditation on emotion regulation and the moderating role of common genetic variation that underpins such capacity. Main activities: Empirical research comparing novice and expert meditators relative to non-meditator controls, and examination of responses to emotional provocation in the brain and body. Innovation: This project adopts a novel methodological approach by extending genetics to research on meditation, and contributes to the development of a neuroscience of positive psychology. The project’s activities will generate: 1. Academic papers in high-impact, peer reviewed journals 2. Articles published in the popular press 3. Presentations at international conferences and community gatherings 4. Training opportunities for post- and undergraduate students Outcomes will include: 1. A new collaboration between leading academics from the University of Sydney in Australia and Stanford University in the United States 2. A more focused and collaborative effort between disciplines including psychology, neuroscience and disparate philosophical and spiritual positions 3. Steering research on emotion regulation and meditation in a new direction by exploring a moderating role of genetics on the benefits of meditation Enduring impacts: 1. Establishing an evidence base for assessing the impact of Vipassana meditation on emotion regulation and determining a role for this practice in preventative healthcare, and its use by the ‘worried well.’ 2. Contribution to further facilitating the acceptance of non-pharmaceutical methods to improve mental health and wellbeing 3. Better understanding individual differences that may be associated with whether or not someone will benefit from meditation practice 4. Advancing research elucidating the nature and potential of the human mind by integrating disparate scientific, philosophical and spiritual views