Mindfulness Meditation Offers Real Pain Relief; Not a Placebo

Mindfulness Meditation Offers Real Pain Relief; Not a Placebo

Mindfulness meditation, used for pain management in various cultures for centuries, has long been thought to work by activating the placebo response. However, a 2024 study from University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers showed that this appears not to be the case: the practice engages separate neural pathways from the well-documented “placebo effect.” The researchers used advanced brain imaging techniques to compare the pain-reducing effects of mindfulness meditation, a placebo cream, and a “sham” mindfulness meditation (deep breathing). Findings: mindfulness meditation produced significant reductions in pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings, and also reduced brain activity patterns associated with pain and negative emotions.
Access this study