Neuroscience expert Estanislao Bachrach: 'There is a lot of scientific evidence of the impact meditation has on feeling better in life'
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Neuroscientist Estanislao Bachrach emphasizes the scientific evidence supporting meditation's positive impact on well-being.
- He explains that consistent practice can alter brain structure and function, particularly attention.
- Bachrach highlights that while tools like meditation are accessible and free, they require discipline, effort, and patience to yield lasting results.
In an insightful interview with LA NACION, renowned molecular biologist Estanislao Bachrach champions a paradigm shift towards personal fulfillment through sensory intelligence and emotional stability. Bachrach asserts that the path to self-knowledge is universally accessible, though often aided by expert guidance, be it from a coach, therapist, or even a supportive friend. He notes that while many feel they lack the time or discipline, the potential for self-discovery through various means, including reading and listening, is readily available.
Yo creo que cualquiera puede acceder. Muchos no podemos acceder solos; necesitamos de un coach, de un terapeuta, de un mejor amigo. A veces, uno se ilumina leyendo un libro o escuchando un podcast. Requiere de disciplina, de tiempo, de esfuerzo, de atenciรณn โlo que los adultos decimos no tenerโ, pero creo que cualquiera puede acceder.
Bachrach underscores the growing recognition of well-being and decision-making as products of one's inner state rather than external possessions. He elaborates on the neuroscientific basis of his claims, explaining that consistent meditation physically modifies brain structures and neuronal functions, especially enhancing attention. While visual evidence of these changes can be seen through technology like resonance imaging, the true challenge, he warns, lies in sustaining these practices, likening it to maintaining muscle tone after gym visits.
Se empieza a modificar la estructura y, a veces, la funciรณn de ciertas รกreas del cerebro, de las neuronas. En especial, la atenciรณn, porque meditar es llevar la atenciรณn a un solo lugar.
This perspective, deeply rooted in scientific validation, challenges the historical skepticism towards practices like meditation due to a lack of empirical evidence. Bachrach points out that modern science now overwhelmingly supports the profound impact of these techniques on physical, mental, and emotional health. He encourages embracing these readily available, cost-free tools, stressing that their effectiveness hinges on the user's commitment to patience, effort, and discipline โ qualities often perceived as scarce in modern adult life. His work, as presented in LA NACION, offers a compelling blend of scientific rigor and accessible wisdom for those seeking a richer, more fulfilling life.
El gran desafรญo es sostenerlo en el tiempo, porque si uno va al gimnasio a hacer bรญceps dos meses y despuรฉs no va mรกs, el mรบsculo vuelve a su lugar. Lo mismo ocurre con el cerebro. Si vos entrenรกs con meditaciรณn durante varios meses y despuรฉs dejรกs de meditar, vuelve hacia atrรกs.
Originally published by La Naciรณn in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.