Center for Healthy Minds | 625 W. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703
Media Coverage
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.
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.
Reconsidering Mindfulness: ‘I Love Stress’
Jun 15, 2018
Teacher David Cutler explains how stress helps him be better at his job, citing Center research.
Compassion is Like a Muscle that Gets Stronger with Training
May 23, 2018
A study conducted by the Center for Healthy Minds found that loving-kindness meditation and compassion training boost empathic resilience.
Why You Should Stop Being So Hard on Yourself
May 22, 2018
Center Founder Richard Davidson says that self-criticism can take a toll on our minds and bodies and it’s time to ease up.
Training Compassion 'Muscle' May Boost Brain's Resilience to Others' Suffering
May 22, 2018
A study conducted by the Center for Healthy Minds found that loving-kindness meditation and compassion training boost empathic resilience.
How to Tell if Babies Are Happy Before They Can Smile
May 08, 2018
Babies communicate their feelings by crying and fussing. To know what’s going on in their heads requires extensive research in brain science.
Everyone is Meditating. Is it Changing the World?
Apr 22, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson and meditation skeptic Theodore Zeldin discuss whether meditation truly makes the world a better place.
Mindfulness in Education with Chad McGehee
Apr 11, 2018
Well-being expert Chad McGehee shares the impact of mindfulness in education on The Kindness Podcast.
There’s New Evidence that Silicon Valley's Favorite Mindfulness Habit May Help Defeat a Key Problem of Aging
Apr 05, 2018
A growing body of evidence suggests regular meditation is linked with benefits including lower stress and better focus — a key trait that dissipates with age.
Why Self-Love is Important and How to Cultivate it
Mar 23, 2018
For many people, the concept of self-love might conjure images of tree-hugging hippies or cheesy self-help books. But, as many psychology studies attest, self-love and -compassion are key for mental health and well-being, keeping depression and anxiety at bay.
How to Master and Control Your Emotions Based From Thirty-Plus Years of Brain Research
Mar 13, 2018
Center Founder Richard Davidson identifies six emotional styles which refer to your consistent way of responding to what happens to you.
Mindfulness Is Going Mainstream Because of Science
Mar 03, 2018
Center Founder Richard Davidson discusses pioneering mindfulness research and pushing mindfulness-based practices into the mainstream.
How to Train Your Brain to Stay Focused on Important Things that Give Results
Mar 01, 2018
Citing Center Founder Richard Davidson, this article explores how to train your brain to focus better.
Can Meditation Change Your Genes?
Feb 27, 2018
A study from the Center for Healthy Minds suggests that meditation may reduce the expression of genes involved in inflammation.
Running Away or Righting The Way: Is Psilocybin a Viable Psychiatric Treatment?
Feb 15, 2018
Center faculty member Charles Raison discusses the history and future of psychedelics as treatment for mental health.
How Photography Can Help Cultivate Mindfulness and Gratitude
Feb 13, 2018
The Greater Good Science Magazine discusses the Center for Healthy Mind's five-week mindful photography curriculum for elementary students.
Arianna Huffington: Through My Lens
Feb 06, 2018
Arianna Huffington reflects on Center Founder Richard Davidson's research on well-being.
Four Tips To Help You Feel Less Anxious About The Future
Jan 29, 2018
Research from the Center for Healthy Minds shows why humans experience anxiety about the future and how humans can experience less anxiety.
Upcoming Events
Tech 2019
December 10
to
12:00AM
Center founder and director Richard Davidson will present Well-being as a Skill at Tech 2019 in Visakhapatnam, India
Wellness Across Our Lifespan - AccessCircles Wellness Forum
February 6, 2020
Center Founder and Director will speak at the AccessCircles Wellness Forum, "Wellness Across our Lifespan". His talk will feature research about neuroplasticity, and he will discuss findings that show that one can learn the skills to improve well-being.
Latest News
The Path to a Healthy Mind - Healthy Minds Innovations Offers Foundations App for Free
October 3, 2019
Center founder Richard Davidson spoke at TEDxSanFrancisco and announced that Healthy Minds Innovations, the external, affiliated nonprofit dedicated to supporting the mission of the Center, is offering the foundations portion of the Healthy Minds Program for free.
Affiliate Faculty Member Poehlmann-Tynan publishes second edition of Handbook on Children with Incarcerated Parents
October 2, 2019
Center affiliate faculty member, Dr. Julie Poehlmann-Tynan published an update to the groundbreaking book, Handbook on Children with Incarcerated Parents: Research, Policy, and Practice.
The World We Make: 2019 Celebration
October 1, 2019
We invite you to join us for The World We Make: 2019 gathering this November to celebrate our progress and share exciting new possibilities to create a kinder, wiser, more compassionate world, together.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program and national bestselling author, will be our featured speaker.
Donors giving $1,000 or more annually will receive two complimentary registrations to this celebration.