By Niranjana Rajalakshmi,
University Communications

Tuesday

Ataner007/Pixabay

Mindfulness is the ability to be fully aware in the moment – conscious of one’s thoughts and actions. While mindfulness can be trained through activities like meditating, slow breathing and strolling, researchers in the Center of Consciousness Studies at the University of Arizona is working on developing a new approach to achieving mindfulness.

A team led by research assistant professor Jay Sanguinetti is experimenting with ultrasound technology to modulate brain activity and enhance mindfulness. Sanguinetti’s team at the Science Enhanced Mindfulness Lab, or SEMA Lab, is specifically focused on accelerating mindfulness during meditation.

Sanguinetti’s team uses low-intensity ultrasound, an emerging tool to target specific parts of the brain responsible for enhancing meditation skills. The researchers apply ultrasound to study participants engaged in meditation.

Research at the SEMA Lab is still in its early stages. The lab is part of the Center for Consciousness Studies in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, which recently launched a new minor in consciousness studies that integrates principles of basic science with humanistic and social scientific disciplines. 

Sanguinetti and Brian Lord, a graduate student in the SEMA Lab, spoke with University of Arizona News about the motivation behind the launch of the SEMA Lab, the lab’s vision, and their current and upcoming projects.

Jay Sanguinetti

Q: What motivated you to start the SEMA Lab?

Sanguinetti: I co-founded the lab with Shinzen Young after completing my post-doc in Albuquerque back in 2017. The basic idea that both Shinzen and I were thinking about independently is: Can you use neurotechnology to help people get the benefits from meditation? Shinzen was actually asking, “Could you use brain stimulation?”

I was working on a project with the Department of Defense where I was trying to combine brain stimulation with meditation training for support personnel, like doctors and nurses. The idea was, if they learn how to meditate, they would be better able to support the needs of the soldiers who have all kinds of emotional and psychological needs that arise from being on the battlefield.

Shinzen was not opposed to that project with the Department of Defense, and we just started doing the project. Basically, we were trying to combine what’s called focused ultrasound with meditation. In the beginning, we tried it on me and Shinzen and one of the other lab members, which is usually how you start. We all sort of felt like it boosted our meditation practice. We expanded the project every year, and in 2019 we decided to move to Tucson together and started the SEMA Lab.

Q: Brian, what interested you in the lab?

Lord: I joined the SEMA Lab in 2020. I came to the University of Arizona because I was interested in consciousness science. And this is one of the best places in the world for that, because it hosts the Science of Consciousness Conference. I didn’t know about focused ultrasound until I met Jay, and I was immediately impressed by the technology. It is a uniquely powerful form of brain stimulation; it can do things that nothing else can, like target sub-cortical regions of the brain with more precision and accuracy than other noninvasive neuromodulation devices.

 Q: Why did you want to focus this research on people who meditate?

Sanguinetti: I’ve been meditating for a long time, personally, and experience a lot of the benefits myself. But I never thought I would study it academically or scientifically. I started following climate science and what is happening to the planet and the ecosystem. I started thinking, “How can I make an impact on these big problems that I think are coming for humanity?” At that time, I was studying visual science and working on problems that would ultimately help machines see better, so machine vision. That became misaligned with my worry about what’s going to happen with climate change and how people adapt to it. So, I pivoted my whole career in 2017 to mindfulness science, or what’s called contemplative science.

Brian Lord

Q: What happens when you apply ultrasound to meditating people’s brains?

Sanguinetti: It really depends on where you target in the brain. If we do a modulation of a part of the right prefrontal cortex, people feel happier. But if you move it to a different brain region, you’ll get a different effect. In meditation studies, we’re actually targeting a part of the brain called the default mode network. When you target that area, people don’t really report being happier; their mood and emotions don’t change too much. It’s more of a meditation-like effect where they feel like they can get deeper into the meditation state.

It’s like a beam of acoustic energy. It’s almost like a bullet shape or a pencil shape, so you can target anywhere in the brain, and you’ve got this cone of energy that goes into that spot.

Q: Not all of your study participants have prior experience with meditation. What do you observe in those participants?

Lord: Experienced meditators, almost universally, will feel the ultrasound. They’ll feel the effects of it, they’ll enjoy it, and it’ll enhance their meditation consistently. But for people that are novices at meditation, they’re not as introspective. They’re not as familiar with that kind of stuff. A substantial portion of them don’t report anything. But others would start to say things like, “I felt less attached to my thoughts.” In the meditation world, this kind of thing is called equanimity. You are giving the brain kind of a gentle nudge; it’s not overly forcing the brain to do anything. With experienced meditators, they are able to use that nudge and go right into a deep meditation. But if you do it to someone who doesn’t have much experience with meditative states, it can be a bit harder for them to drop into it, because their brain doesn’t know how to do that yet.

Because this focused ultrasound tool is so new, I’ve been focusing on a lot of the basic psychophysiology of it – looking at the EEG effects, looking at the MRI effects, trying to characterize exactly how this tool works. I have the benefit of getting to do some of that foundational work. It’s a really exciting place to be as a researcher.

Q: What are your goals for the future?

Sanguinetti: If you say that the outcome is understanding whether you can facilitate meditation training with ultrasound, we’re still in the early stages of testing that. We’ve just finished a study that we started in 2020, that Brian’s about to publish, where we targeted the default mode network in the brain. But this was on people not meditating. We did the first step, which is, “Can we modulate the meditation network?” The next step is seeing if we can combine that protocol with meditation training.

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These serene sanctuaries provide a sacred space where one can restore inner balance, find solace in meditation, and embrace a healthier lifestyle

Nestled amidst the diverse landscapes of India, wellness retreats have emerged as sanctuaries of tranquillity and rejuvenation. Offering a harmonious blend of ancient traditions and modern practices, these retreats allow travellers to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and wellness. Whether it’s practising yoga amidst lush greenery, indulging in Ayurvedic treatments, or nourishing the body with wholesome organic cuisine, wellness retreats in India cater to every aspect of well-being. 

Atmantan, Maharashtra

The emphasis at this 42-acre hillside retreat near Mumbai is on finding a balance between the requirements of the body, mind, and spirit. A team of skilled doctors and wellness practitioners offer programmes such as ayurveda panchakarma, radiance ritual, restorative physiotherapy, and more, using methods such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, homoeopathy medicine, pranic healing, and more to address the underlying cause of the diseases. 

Raga Svara in Kasturbadham, Gujarat

Raga Svara is an expansive spa resort in Gujarat’s Kasturbadham region (near Rajkot). It also serves as an Ayurvedic study centre and a cultural nexus for its visitors. The modern resort offers luxury rooms, wellness food, yoga and meditation classes. It also provides extensive Dashavidha and Nadi Pariksha counselling. There are also customised treatment plans available for a really individualised wellness experience. Once here, we urge that you participate in their holistic wellness programme. This will allow you to relax and escape from your daily pressures. It focuses on four important aspects of well-being: therapeutic, philosophical, aesthetic, and ecological.

Amal Tamara, Kerala

With a holistic approach to health and wellness, Amal Tamara Ayurvedic Centre, located in the Alleppey backwaters, offers solitude, calm, and traditional programmes away from the clamour and bustle of big cities. Every programme at this retreat is meticulously planned to meet the needs of each individual, from advocating healthy lifestyle changes to extensive and customised food adjustments. They also provide immersive experiences such as kathakali dancing, backwater cruises, village tours, and special meal menus.

Fazlani Natures Nest, Maharashtra 

This resort, located near Lonavala, overlooks the turquoise waters of Andra Lake and is surrounded by deep natural grounds. All visitors can select from a menu of detox and revitalising retreats, lifestyle disorder treatment retreats, immune resilience retreats, natural relaxation retreats, and ideal weight management retreats. At the resort, guests can also enjoy woodland bathing. The resort also provides customised wellness getaways that combine alternative medicine treatments.

Dharana at Shillim, Maharashtra

This retreat is set on a 320-acre estate in the Sahyadri Mountains. It is a wellness retreat that promotes healing using Ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy. The programme is intended for people who want to do yoga, eat healthy organic food, and unwind in a luxurious location. You can choose from a variety of beautiful villas. Programmes at Dharana are personalised to each client following conversations with the wellness director. This retreat includes detox therapies, cooking workshops, and health presentations in addition to yoga.

 

For more recommendations, bookmark this page and continue reading Express Et Al., The Indian Express’ first digital lifestyle magazine available across The Indian Express website and app.

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The post Explore The Best Retreats For Mindful Healing In India appeared first on Minds Valley.

April 30, 2023

2 min read

Source/Disclosures

Source:

Tadikonda A, et al. Mental health supports in school: Pediatrician perspectives and policy prescriptions for improving equitable access and service reimbursement. Presented at: Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting; April 28-May 1, 2023; Washington, D.C. (hybrid meeting).

Disclosures:
The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.

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Key takeaways:

• Researchers recommended ways to improve access to services in schools.
• Study finds strengths and weaknesses in school nurses’ ability to respond to mental health emergencies.

WASHINGTON — Amid a national emergency in child mental health, two studies at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting explored ways that mental health is and can be treated at schools.

In the first, authors from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and Duke University School of Medicine examined policies affecting reimbursement and access to behavioral health supports in schools.

Two studies presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting explored ways that mental health is and can be treated at schools. Source: Adobe Stock

“Schools are an underutilized equity-promoting setting for services with minimized transportation barriers,” the authors wrote. “Youth are six times more likely to complete school-based vs. community-based therapy, though reimbursement is often a barrier.”

The authors interviewed 11 pediatricians and “reviewed Medicaid policies for school-based mental health services.”

Based on their findings, the authors identified four ways to improve access to mental health services in school: a “no wrong door approach,” which could provide opportunities for Medicaid enrollment and referral for care management through schools; standardized coverage, or develop standardized school mental health benefits that are required in Medicaid contracts, recommended for private insurers and inclusive of preventive services, such as teaching mindfulness; reducing administrative burden, or offering a centralized school health documentation system; and increasing reimbursement or school-based mental health services, including through novel funding sources.

“Strengthening behavioral health services in schools is an approach that pediatric providers could leverage for follow-up for children who screen positive for mental health issues,” they wrote. “Policy changes that facilitate reimbursement of school-based mental health services can improve management and advance equity.”

The second study explored ways in which school nurses deal with mental and behavioral health outcomes, and identified strengths and areas for improvement in the preparedness of school nurses to deal with mental health emergencies.

According to Marcus O. Erdman, MD, a second-year pediatrics resident at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, they focused on school nurses “because they serve as frontline providers for managing emergencies in schools.”

“They have a lot on their plate, and they’ve got hundreds of patients every day, but they do a great job of taking care of a wide variety of tasks,” Erdman told Healio.

In a questionnaire completed by 994 members of the National Association of School Nurses, 41% of respondents reported that “psychiatric/behavioral health” was one of the top five emergencies encountered during the last year, in what Erdman calls a “striking” statistic.

“Things like seizures, anaphylaxis, respiratory issues — the things that you would typically think of as emergencies,” Erdman said.

Further, although 76% of respondents felt “responsible for identifying students with mental health concerns,” only 5% had completed training through the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Erdman said 95% of school nurses have access to guidelines for managing students who are prone to suicidal ideation.

“I’d love to see that number even closer to 100%,” Erdman said. “School is a big, stressful place, and school nurses need to be able to identify these kids rather quickly.”

Erdman said primary care physicians and pediatricians should consider engaging with school nurses at the schools in their area.

“A primary care physician being well integrated with the school district can be a really important partnership for the school nurses to have,” Erdman said. “A lot of great things can come out of that relationship.”

References:

• Gupta N, et al. Preparedness of school nurses to manage mental health emergencies: A national survey. Presented at: Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting; April 28-May 1, 2023; Washington, D.C. (hybrid meeting).
• Tadikonda A, et al. Mental health supports in school: Pediatrician perspectives and policy prescriptions for improving equitable access and service reimbursement. Presented at: Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting; April 28-May 1, 2023; Washington, D.C. (hybrid meeting).

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Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting

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