Center for Healthy Minds | 625 W. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703
Media Coverage
What Can a Buddhist Monk Teach Us About Panic and the Brain?
Mar 26, 2020
The Center's new longitudinal MRI case study of a Buddhist monk suggests that daily meditation may slow down brain aging over time.
Turning Social Distancing Into a Positive
Mar 25, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks about how social distancing can be seen as an act of generosity during the time of COVID-19
Daily meditation may help protect the brain from aging, study of Buddhist Monk's brain suggests
Mar 24, 2020
Newsweek highlights a Center study that scanned the brain of a Buddhist Monk, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, over the course of 14 years. Findings suggest daily meditation could help protect the brain from aging
How To Cope With COVID-19 Anxiety
Mar 24, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks about acting with compassion through social distancing and how to manage anxiety during this challenging time
Daily meditation could slow aging in your brain, study says
Mar 20, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks about a Center study that found daily, intensive meditation slowed a monk's brain aging by as much as eight years
Meditation may have shaved 8 years of aging off Buddhist monk's brain
Mar 17, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson shares details from a recent study of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's brain that suggests meditative practice may be associated with slowed biological aging
How meditation changes your brain
Feb 18, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks with the BBC about a Center research study with Buddhist monks that showed meditation can change the brain in enduring ways
Inflammation, Saunas, and the New Science of Depression
Feb 17, 2020
Affiliate Faculty member Charles Raison talks about depression and recent research on mind-body coherence and interventions
How Dekila Chungyalpa Draws on Faith to Protect the Planet
Feb 09, 2020
Dekila Chungyalpa, Director of the Loka Initiative, talks about how she has brought faith and environmentalism together to help lead interfaith climate activism.
St. George’s Episcopal School stresses social and emotional learning
Jan 21, 2020
Teachers at St. George’s Episcopal School in New Orleans share their experience with the Center's Kindness Curriculum
Compassion Training Could Help Parents And Their Children
Jan 15, 2020
Julie Poehlmann-Tynan, a Center faculty member, talks about the impacts of compassion on young children and parents
UW-Madison researchers use video game to teach kids mindfulness
Jan 13, 2020
Center scientists share the impact from a study where kids played a video game to train mindfulness
Are Politics and Climate Change Giving You Existential Anxiety?
Jan 06, 2020
Pelin Kesebir, a scientist at the Center, shares perspective on the history of existential anxiety and how to cope with it
Five Ways to Improve Your Mental Health in 2020
Jan 03, 2020
CNN shares strategies from Center Director Richard Davidson to build gratitude and improve emotional health.
Seven Personal Management Tips To Help You Save Time
Dec 16, 2019
Richard Davidson's thoughts on well-being are featured in this Forbes article on personal management
A Kid In A Refugee Camp Thought Video Games Fell From Heaven. Now He Makes Them
Dec 11, 2019
Games where a player takes on another person's perspective or becomes immersed in a specific environment can be beneficial in building positive interpersonal relationships, according to Tammi Kral, a research assistant at the Center.
Can compassion help heal patients — and providers?
Nov 20, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson discusses a research study at the center that focused on compassion training.
Can a Trip-Free Psychedelic Still Help People With Depression?
Nov 07, 2019
Affiliate Faculty Charles Raison is featured talking about his upcoming research study that looks into how psilocybin helps people with depression and whether access consciousness plays a role.
Why We Hate Documentary
Nov 03, 2019
The work of the Center for Healthy Minds was featured in the final episode on hope of the Discovery Channel documentary Why We Hate
Center for Healthy Minds offers 'Kindness Curriculum' to parents and teachers
Oct 14, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks about the Kindness Curriculum, developed by researchers at the center, and how it can help children learn how pay closer attention to their emotions and behave more altruistically.
The Kindness Curriculum
Oct 10, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson shares insights about the Kindness Curriculum, which is a free resource available to teachers and parents of young children.
The Science-Backed Benefits of Practising Mindfulness
Oct 03, 2019
An overview of research-backed benefits of mindfulness that includes mention of Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson's research on long-term meditators
The Third Story Podcast: Richard Davidson
Sep 17, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson appears on the Third Story podcast and discusses how happiness and compassion can be learned, and why now is a crucial time for research,
Can Changing Your Mind Change the World?
Sep 04, 2019
Based on Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson's lecture at the World Bank’s Science of Learning Expert Series, the article discusses the four constituents of well-being – awareness, connection, insight, and purpose
Researchers Develop Mindfulness-Based Kindness Curriculum for Preschoolers
Sep 04, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks about the Kindness Curriculum and how it can help preschoolers pay closer attention to their emotions
UW-Madison Professor Develops Kindness Curriculum
Sep 03, 2019
Center Founder Richard Davidson discusses the Kindness Curriculum and how it can help preschool-aged children develop kindness as a skill.
What Meditation Does To Your Brain When You’re Annoyed, According To Experts
Aug 28, 2019
Center Founder Richard Davidson talks about how meditation changes the brain over time with ongoing practice
Two studies reveal benefits of mindfulness for middle school students
Aug 26, 2019
Two MIT studies show potential benefits of mindfulness training for middle school students. Center Founder Richard Davidson shares his thoughts on the research.
8 Habits of Mindful Leaders
Aug 16, 2019
The Enterpriser's Project mentions Center Founder Richard Davidson's book, "Altered Traits" in addition to habits of mindful leaders
What Meditation Looks Like In Your Brain, According To Experts
Aug 11, 2019
Richard Davidson, among other researchers, are quoted on the effects of meditation on the brain.
Social and emotional learning and neuroplasticity: Why it matters
Aug 02, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson wrote the forward for The Blue DOT magazine on the topic of neuroplasticity and the ability to develop well-being as a skill.
Parental guidance - Dane County hopes to help inmates be better parents
Jul 11, 2019
Affiliate Faculty member Julie Poehlmann-Tynan discusses the complications that families face when a parent is incarcerated and the impacts on a child's development
EXCLUSIVE: ‘I’m not the only one who has a mom in jail’: Camp reunites locked-up mothers with their kids
Jul 11, 2019
Affiliate Faculty member Julie Poehlmann-Tynan discusses the importance for children to build positive relationships with an incarcerated parent
Innovators in Diversity and Inclusion Named to Madison Magazine's 2019 M List
Jun 24, 2019
The Loka Initiative has received a 2019 M List award from Madison Magazine, and was selected for the initiative's innovative contributions toward diversity and inclusion
The New Science Behind Mindfulness Podcast
Jun 19, 2019
BB&R Consulting Group interviewed Center Founder Richard Davidson about research at the Center for Healthy Minds
Can Meditation Help Enable Human Flourishing?
Jun 11, 2019
Medium discusses research featured in Center Founder Richard Davidson's book, "Altered Traits."
Aging Is A State Of Mind
Jun 06, 2019
Center researcher Pelin Kesebir discusses how gratitude can help cultivate a positive experience with aging
How the Brains of Master Meditators Change
May 30, 2019
Richard Davison joins The Ezra Klein Show to discuss what he learned from bringing the Dalai Lama to his lab.
You Can Change Your Emotional Style
May 07, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davison talks about the six emotional styles, and how to change your default style
The Six Emotional Styles
May 07, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson discusses the six emotional styles.
Yes, the Internet is Destroying Our Collective Attention Span
May 03, 2019
Founder Richard Davidson talks about the effect of digital stimuli on attention span.
Festival Of Faiths: Psychologist Richard Davidson Says You Can Learn Emotion
Apr 25, 2019
Richard Davidson discusses research that shows we can learn how to be more compassionate, kind and resilient, just like any other skill.
Mom's Everyday: Mindful parenting
Apr 24, 2019
Hosts discuss research from the Center for Healthy Minds that talks about how mindful parenting practices can open up communication with adolescents.
Understanding the Power of Meditation
Apr 19, 2019
This Brainfacts.org article features quotes from Richard Davidson from the Center for Healthy Minds about mindfulness as a learned skill.
New Evidence Shows Meditation Changes the Brain for Better: Silicon Valley's Latest Trend
Apr 04, 2019
This article talks about neuroplasticity and references a 2014 paper written by Richard Davidson and Antoine Lutz
Meditation: Well-being, Like the Violin, is Acquired by Training
Apr 04, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks about research that supports training well-being as a skill
The Best Science-Backed Mindfulness Practices for Stress
Mar 25, 2019
Center researcher Matt Hirshberg shares insights from a recent study that looks into which mindfulness practices work to manage stress.
UW-Madison Ranks 1st In The Nation For PhD Graduates
Mar 07, 2019
Affiliate Faculty Member Simon Goldberg talks about the high number of PhD graduates at UW-Madison
Elevate by Psych Congress Aims to Reshape Mental Health Care Through Education
Mar 04, 2019
Affiliate Faculty Member Charles Raison speaks about the Elevate by Psych Congress Conference.
The Science of Happiness
Feb 26, 2019
Research from the Center suggests that happier people's brains are more active in the left prefrontal cortex and we can rewire our brains for happiness.
Former Badger Football Star Chris Borland Returns to Campus to Talk Meditation
Feb 21, 2019
Former Badger football star Chris Borland joined Chad McGehee at University of Wisconsin-Madison to talk football and meditation
The Benefits of Positive Thinking—and How You Can Do More of It
Feb 15, 2019
This Health article features research from Richard Davidson and the Center for Healthy Minds about training your brain to improve compassion
A Neuroscientist on Love and Learning
Feb 14, 2019
Center founder Richard Davidson sits down with Krista Tippett to discuss his groundbreaking research
15 Ways to Give Self Care a Try
Feb 01, 2019
Assistant scientist Pelin Kesebir at the Center says that keeping a gratitude journal is one way to practice self-care.
Integrating Wellness Into Everything We Do
Feb 01, 2019
Assistant scientist Pelin Kesebir says that writing down three good things that happened to you every day for a certain period of time has the potential to change your long-term outlook
Mindfulness Can Relieve Stress, but What Techniques Work Best? Clues in New UW Research
Jan 14, 2019
Center researcher Matt Hirshberg discusses his recent research project to discern whether different mindfulness practices have different effects on people
Is Buddhism Scientific or Religious?
Jan 07, 2019
Center faculty John Dunne ponders the assertion that Buddhism is more like a science of the mind than a religion
How To Attract Abundance In Your Life
Dec 20, 2018
This Forbes article features research from Richard Davidson and the Center for Healthy Minds
First Residential School In Asia-Pacific Region For Special Children
Dec 10, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson shares insights on how secular version of meditation practices can be beneficial for children to learn to pay attention and to regulate their emotions which lead to better performance in schools
A Neuroscientist On Vanquishing Anger From Our Minds
Dec 07, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses how much anger is too much anger--and how we can make change by transforming anger into compassion and love
A Neuroscientist On What Anger Does To The Mind
Dec 01, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses how anger isn't the only way to confront injustice or respond to someone who has treated you badly.
Can Going to a Sauna Make Me Happy?
Nov 30, 2018
Citing research from Center faculty member Charles Raison, this article shares how heat may produce a significant antidepressant effect
Hacking Inner Peace
Nov 29, 2018
In an article discussing the links between meditation and a form of therapy called neurofeedback, Center founder Richard Davidson says that there isn't enough scientific evidence to assert that neurofeedback can be helpful to people meditating
Is Our Constant Use of Digital Technologies Affecting Our Brain Health? We Asked 11 Experts.
Nov 28, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson shares his concerns about the impacts of technology, specifically the increase in distractability, the national attention deficit we all suffer from, and the consequences that arise from this.
4 Ways to Stay Motivated When You’re in a Rut
Nov 25, 2018
In one of four ways to stay motivated when you're in a rut, Center founder Richard Davidson suggests being kind to yourself. Self-criticism, he says, can lead to ruminative thoughts that have a negative impact on the body.
Mental Hygiene - Madison Researcher Uses Modern Neuroscience to Study Kindness, Compassion & Happiness
Nov 19, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson shares his philosophy that people can develop mental hygiene skills and nurture qualities like kindness to improve well-being.
Meditation Is a Powerful Mental Tool—and For Some People It Goes Terribly Wrong
Nov 14, 2018
Center founder and director Richard Davidson comments on the pros and cons of using meditation in health contexts.
The Growth of Yoga and Meditation in the US Since 2012 is Remarkable
Nov 09, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses why people are turning to meditation and cites the increasing levels of anxiety and stress in American culture
Technology of the Future Should Care for Our Well-Being
Nov 09, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson pens an article about the urgent need for humane technology
Faith Matters: Religion & Spirituality Spotlight 2018
Nov 09, 2018
In a spotlight of books featuring conversations about faith and the planet, Center faculty John Dunne is featured as co-editor of the Dalai Lama's book about ethics and climate change.
A Lot More Americans Are Meditating Now Than Just Five Years Ago
Nov 08, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses the increasing use of meditation in the United States, as noted in a report by the CDC.
Colleges Teach Students How to Think. Should They Also Teach Them How to Thrive?
Nov 04, 2018
Can the course titled "The Art and Science of Human Flourishing," developed jointly by University of Virginia, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison improve well-being in college students?
Well-Being is a Skill
Oct 31, 2018
During a webinar hosted by Amir H. Imani, Center founder Davidson explains how mental training to cultivate well-being can have a positive impact on happiness, creativity and productivity in the work place and at home.
7 Mental-Health Hacks You Should Do Right This Second
Oct 18, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson shares a quick hack for calling attention to positive features of your day
Harnessing the Power of Video Games to Teach Children Empathy
Oct 15, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses the video game Crystals of Kaydor and the implications of teaching kids empathy through video games.
All In Your Mind: How Mindful and Meditative Practices Are Gaining Mainstream Momentum
Oct 08, 2018
Center researcher Cortland Dahl explains how meditation trains the brain to think and observe with intention.
Science Says Happiness Can Change Your Brain
Oct 06, 2018
Center collaborator Matthieu Ricard discusses the science behind happiness, citing the work of Center founder Richard Davidson.
The 4 Keys to Well-Being According to Neuroscience
Oct 03, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson shares the four keys to well-being: resilience, outlook, awareness and generosity.
Meditation Is Not The Cure Everyone Would Like It To Be
Oct 01, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses the need for more quality research studying meditation, as well as warning the public against considering meditation a cure-all
No Major Deficiencies Noted in Wisconsin Athletics' Safety Review But 'There Are Places Where We Can Improve'
Sep 29, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson contributed to a safety review of University of Wisconsin-Madison athletics
50 Everyday Habits That Reduce Your Risk of Dementia
Sep 18, 2018
This article focused on brain health cites research from the Center for Healthy Minds
Depression In Pregnancy—How To Keep It From Harming the Baby
Sep 17, 2018
Research from the Center suggests that a mother's mental health impacts a baby's brain development after birth
Can Video Games Actually Teach Kids Empathy? New Study Says Yes
Sep 10, 2018
Researchers from the Center for Healthy Minds have discovered a video game designed to teach children empathy can change young brains and improve social behavior.
Can Video Games Change Your Brain? UW Research Suggests Games Can Build Empathy
Sep 10, 2018
Research from the Center for Healthy Minds shows video games may have the power to help children develop empathy
Scientists Used Video Games to Teach Children Empathy
Sep 07, 2018
Researchers from the Center for Healthy Minds found that video games can teach adolescents prosocial skills
Can A Video Game Build Empathy? UW Researchers May Have Found A Way
Aug 10, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses the groundbreaking discovery that a video game can build empathy skills in adolescents.
Arts Program Gives Kids with Incarcerated Parents a Stigma-Free Space to Create and Learn
Jul 28, 2018
Center faculty Julie Poehlmann-Tynan are partnering with Cultural Connections, a program aiming aims to provide self-empowerment and confidence for these kids with incarcerated parents.
Meditation Changes The Brain In Different Ways In Veterans And Beginners
Jul 25, 2018
In a new study published in the journal NeuroImage, a team of psychologists at the Center for Healthy Minds at UW-Madison reports that brain activity in veteran meditators, new meditators, and non-meditators varied significantly.
Looking at Depression Through an Evolutionary Lens
Jul 23, 2018
Psych Congress cochair and Center faculty member Charles Raison, MD, gave attendees a “10,000-foot view” of what depression is at the Psych Congress Regionals meeting, and will explore the idea more at the upcoming Psych Congress 2018 preconference.
Cycles of Incarceration Hit African Americans, Children Especially Hard
Jul 14, 2018
Citing the research of Center faculty Julie Poelhmann-Tynan, this article explores the impact of incarceration on children and families, as well as the racial disparities of incarceration rates in Wisconsin.
Mindfulness and Meditation: An Expert Explains the Background of This Ancient Practice
Jul 14, 2018
Center faculty Charles Raison explains how meditation can be helpful for people in stressful situations.
Chad McGehee: "With Mindfulness Students Feel More Secure, More Comfortable and Accepted"
Jul 12, 2018
Chad McGehee, Learning and Program Development Manager at Healthy Minds Innovations, discusses the power of meditation in the classroom.
How Meditation's Physical and Spiritual Benefits May Have Helped Thai Soccer Team Survive
Jul 12, 2018
Citing research from the Center for Healthy Minds, this article explains how meditation can benefit people in stressful situations.
The Thai Cave Football Coach Taught His Team to Meditate to Help Them Through 17-Day Ordeal, Reports Say
Jul 11, 2018
Citing research from the Center for Healthy Minds, this article describes how meditation can help us cope.
The Thai Soccer Coach Taught His Team to Meditate in the Flooded Cave — And it May Have Played a Powerful Role in Keeping Them Alive
Jul 10, 2018
Research from the Center for Healthy Minds shows how meditating can reduce stress and how that may have played a powerful role in the rescue of the 12 trapped Thai soccer players.
Why You Need to Add 10 Minutes of Meditation into Your Day
Jun 27, 2018
Citing research from the Center for Healthy Minds, Glamour magazine explores how just ten minutes of meditation a day can have major health benefits.
Why You Need to Add 10 Minutes of Meditation into Your Day
Jun 26, 2018
Citing research from the Center for Healthy Minds, Vogue Australia explores how just ten minutes of meditation a day can have major health benefits.
Don’t Buy into the Backlash – the Science on Meditation Is Clear
Jun 25, 2018
Center Founder Richard Davidson and Arianna Huffington discuss the science of meditation and its value in the workplace.
Staying Innovative in Madison
Jun 21, 2018
Center Founder Richard Davidson is featured as a leading scientific innovator in Madison Magazine.
Empathic People Use Social Brain Circuitry to Process Music
Jun 18, 2018
Research from the Center for Healthy Minds shows that compassion can be trained like a muscle, and perhaps music can be a tool for learning compassion.
Upcoming Events
Live Guided Meditation with Richard Davidson
April 2, 1:30PM
to
2:30PM
Join us Thursday April 2 at 1:30 p.m. CT for a virtual, live meditation session with Center for Healthy Minds and Healthy Minds Innovations founder, Richard Davidson, to learn and practice skills to cultivate a healthy mind.
[Event Postponed] Expanding Capacities for Joy and Connection: Science and Practice
April 4
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12:00AM
Can joy and compassion be learned? Join Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson along with Lama Tsomo in San Francisco to explore how we can use meditation to expand our capacity for connection.
Webinar: Cultivating Purpose in Uncertain Times
April 9, 9:00AM
to
10:00AM
During the immediate COVID-19 crisis, many of us are navigating fear, uncertainty, and change—remote work life, compromised streams of income, children at home all day, feelings of isolation, and more. Join us for a webinar with researchers and meditation experts for guided practices and a Q&A specifically related to current experiences and feelings related to COVID-19.
Latest News
Brain scans link meditation to slower “brain-aging” in advanced meditator
March 18, 2020
In a recent study, the brain of monk and long-time meditator Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, who was 41 years old at the time, looked eight years younger than his actual age. The possibility that a person’s “brain-age” might be affected by meditation adds to a growing list of how mental training may yield lasting changes.
COVID-19 and Our Common Humanity
March 16, 2020
Focusing on how global challenges can bring out the best in our humanity
Ease your mind by being mindful
February 14, 2020
A college student’s mind is constantly in motion. There are classes, homework, a social life, work, and more. But there’s growing research showing that we can all benefit from taking a few moments each day to, well, live in the moment. Center Postdoctoral Research Associate Matt Hirshberg answers questions about how mindfulness can help college students ease their mind.