{
  "id": 82511,
  "title": "Scientists discover new insights into how mindfulness practices shift the brain’s neural landscape",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/scientists-discover-new-insights-into-how-mindfulness-practices-shift",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-03T10:00:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PsyPost",
    "slug": "psypost",
    "url": "https://www.psypost.org/scientists-discover-new-insights-into-how-mindfulness-practices-shift-the-brains-neural-landscape/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Three new studies published in Mindfulness, the Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders, and Scientific Reports reveal that group-based mindfulness and compassion programs alter brain activity and improve self-perception. These therapeutic interventions decrease self-criticism and foster connection with others, leading to physical changes in the brain's emotional and executive control centers. Self-criticism and rumination, common mental habits, contribute to various psychological symptoms and hinder therapy progress. Diane Joss, an assistant professor of psychiatry, emphasizes the role of self-referential processes in trauma survivors and the need to investigate the mechanisms behind therapeutic benefits. A 2025 study involving 24 adults with multiple psychological diagnoses showed that an eight-week mindful self-compassion program reduced self-judgment and increased self-compassion, particularly in trauma-exposed participants. Scans indicated increased connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex, responsible for self-referential thoughts, and frontal regions for language and executive control, while connectivity with fear centers diminished. In another study, Joss analyzed data from 64 healthy adults, comparing two eight-week programs: mindfulness stress reduction and general stress management education. Both groups showed improvements in self-kindness and self-reflection, while the mindfulness group also enhanced self-judgment reduction. The findings suggest that mindfulness practices promote neural plasticity related to self-related processes, offering valuable insights for future research and clinical applications.",
  "summary": "Three recent studies detail how mindfulness, self-compassion, and group therapy reduce harsh self-judgment. These psychological improvements correspond with physical changes in how the brain's emotional and executive control centers communicate.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}