Just take a breather! - The role of respiration in meditation

Why is meditation healthy? Why do you feel so relaxed after that bout of hatha yoga at the university sport center? Was it all that stretching? Your heightened awareness during the body scan? It might just be that you were breathing slowly at the time!

Roderik Gerritsen and Guido Band • November 20, 2018

Computer models tell us how to be creative

Do you know how you use your creativity on a day-to-day basis? Computational models of creativity might give us more insight into this important skill that offers us the possibility to deal with everyday problems.

Vera Mekern, Bernhard Hommel and Zsuzsika Sjoerds • September 27, 2018

The Power of Love: Could Love be a Cognitive Enhancer?

Common beliefs hold that “Love” hinders cognitive functioning, and those in love may be looked upon as if they have developed some unfortunate brain disease that will impair their performance, and hinder their careers, or lives. But what does science say?

Ben Rifkin • July 09, 2018

The heartbeat of a flexible mind

The time interval between our heartbeats is related to both our physical and mental wellbeing, but can it also tell us something about our cognitive abilities?

Matthijs de Wit • June 12, 2018

Virtual Reality Meditation– the transport to inner peace for those who can’t get there

Prof. Bernhard Hommel and an interdisciplinary research team at the Universities of Leiden and Prague have been awarded funding from Technology Agency-Czech Republic to develop Virtual Reality that would facilitate effective Mindfulness training.

Luisa Prochazkova • January 23, 2018 • 1 comment

Variable heart rate and a multitasking mind

Our heart doesn't beat at a constant frequency. What can this tell you about your brain state and multitasking performance?

Lorenza Colzato • November 07, 2017

In praise of uncertainty

Research suggests we should embrace uncertainty and seek challenges wherever possible in order to improve mental capabilities and prevent cognitive decline. That does not fit with the zeitgeist: uncertainty makes nervous and anxious. Here's the plan.

Bernhard Hommel • December 20, 2016

One session of focused attention meditation alters cognitive control

Our recent meditation study shows that only a single session of focused attention meditation can reveal a cognitive state in which currently irrelevant information is suppressed more.

Pauline van der Wel • December 08, 2015

Let go of the pain - Cognitive Disengagement through Mindfulness

Can a meditation technique like mindfulness be the key to a non-pharmacological treatment for pain? Recent research suggests it can but there might be a flipside to these findings.

Lavinia Przyborowski • November 03, 2015 • 1 comment

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