Enhanced metacognitive awareness may have implications beyond personal interest and insight for meditation practitioners. For example, metacognitive awareness may be essential for preventing depression relapse. Enhanced introspection may also make advanced meditators better reporters of inner experience.

University of Georgia

The structural changes in the frontopolar cortex in meditators may be involved in introspection, metacognition, the evaluation of self-generated information, processing of complex and abstract information, and the integration of multiple cognitive processes in the service of higher-order behavioral goals. Morphometric changes in the rostrolateral prefrontal cortex are consistent with the idea that meditation engages and trains metacognitive awareness.The structural changes in the frontopolar cortex are consistent with evidence for enhancements of introspection  in meditators , and may enhance the ability to observe thoughts and emotions in a detached, and dispassionate manner.

Effects of meditation on the rostrolateral prefrontal cortex

Wang, P. P., & Jernigan, T. L. (1994). Morphometric studies using neuroimaging. Neurologic clinics, 12(4), 789–802.

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