May 28, 2025
n a new study published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, CHM's Dr. Melissa Rosenkranz and her team made strides towards connecting the dots between psychological stress and lung physiology in the context of allergy-induced asthma.
How to Build Climate Courage
May 20, 2025
To face the climate crisis, we have to feel it first. Dig deeper into building climate courage ahead Earth Day in this inspiring article with interviews from Dekila Chungyalpa, Dr. Richard J. Davidson and Director of the Menominee Nation’s Department of Agriculture and Food Systems Gary Besaw.
Watch Now: Born to Flourish Video Series
May 14, 2025
Did you miss the Born To Flourish series? The good news is you can watch all 6 recordings now for free! Each video features insightful discussions with world-renowned meditation teacher Mingyur Rinpoche, neuroscientist Dr. Richard J. Davidson, and contemplative scientist and Tergar instructor Dr. Cortland Dahl.
In Deep Water: Learning to Build Deep Resilience in the Anthropocene with Dekila Chungyalpa
Apr 24, 2025
Climate leader and Loka Director Dekila Chungyalpa joined Tricycle Magazine for this interview series. Focusing on the consequences of human action that include unsustainable use, diversion, and pollution of freshwater sources, and the compounding threats of climate change and large-scale hydropower projects—including in China and the Himalayas—this talk will explore humanity’s thirst to control nature while also emphasizing what water can teach us about wisdom and compassion.
Apr 07, 2025
If you’re feeling grumpy, these 14 tips can help you snap out of it. CHM Contemplative Scientist Cortland Dahl weighs in!
How to build resilience in hard times
Feb 17, 2025
“Inner, community, and planetary resilience are interdependent,” says Loka Director Dekila Chungyalpa. “You cannot achieve any one of these things alone. You have to work on all three because they’re interdependent.” Read the full article now!
Dosage Dilemma: Unpacking Meditation App Science with Simon Goldberg
Feb 05, 2025
Although meditation apps are gaining popularity, a clear link between usage dosage and intervention outcomes has yet to be established. In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum teams up with Simon Goldberg from the University of Wisconsin to explore a critical question: “How does the “dosage” of meditation app use impact mental health outcomes?
Unpacking Work–Life Balance
Dec 03, 2024
Simon Goldberg, Center for Healthy Minds core faculty member, and Matt Hirshberg, CHM research assistant professor, weigh in on some of the ways their research can deepen your perspective on work-life balance.
Video: Neuroscientist Dr. Richard J. Davidson Answers Emotion Questions | WIRED
Nov 06, 2024
Neuroscientist and Psychologist Dr. Richard J. Davidson joins WIRED to answer the internet's burning questions about our emotions. Are men truly less emotional than women? Can stress cause your brain to shrink? What are chemical imbalances and what do they do to our emotions? Why do we have emotions at all? Dr. Davidson answers these questions and more on Emotion Support.
Depression: 5 Million Americans May Benefit From Psychedelic Therapy
Sep 13, 2024
"While our analysis is a crucial first step, we've only scratched the surface in understanding the true public health impact psilocybin therapy may have," Charles Raison, CHM affiliated faculty and a collaborator on the study and the lead investigator on one of the largest clinical trials looking at the efficacy of psilocybin therapy for depression, said in a statement.
My Week at the Buzzy Meditation Retreat That Promises Bliss on Demand
Aug 07, 2024
The latest meditation start-up to come out of Silicon Valley is attempting to bring the benefits of jhanas, an ancient Buddhist practice, into the mainstream. Dr. Richard J. Davidson, CHM founder and director, weighs in about the red flags of framing it as a wellness solution in this latest @TIME Magazine article that's worth a read.
How to Meditate Without a Formal Routine
Jun 28, 2024
Want to start or continue meditating but can't find the time? Try an informal meditation practice! Our latest article for Psychology Today provides helpful tips for you to get started. By weaving meditation into everyday activities, we can navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and ease.
Podcast: The Secret to Mental Toughness with Chad McGehee
Jun 07, 2024
Tune in to hear from Chad McGehee, Director of Meditation Training at UW-Madison Athletics and CHM affiliate, on this latest podcast feature! In this inspiring episode, Chad talks candidly about: How he got to his role (one of the only like this in the country!), discovering how mindfulness can improve your mental and physical health, and proven strategies to instill mindfulness habits in your home and workplace
Video: Nurturing emotional resilience in the era of climate change
May 17, 2024
Dekila Chungyalpa, founder of the Loka Initiative, and Christine Wilson, PhD, with the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison join UCalgary for a talk on climate change and emotional resilience. Chungyalpa and Wilson discuss the emotional impacts climate change has had on various populations, present the latest research and knowledge around eco-emotions, and end with an activity for participants to help regulate their emotions.
Bringing compassion and science together
May 03, 2024
The first ‘Science & The Flavour of Aarhus’ event at AIAS with world-renowned neuroscientist, Professor Richard J. Davidson opened our senses to the science behind our brain’s plasticity, and how we can practice our mental well-being, like learning to play the violin.
What Meditation Doesn’t Fix - With Richard Davidson
Mar 27, 2024
Meditation researcher and neuroscientist Richard joins me to discuss how he got interested in the mind, the “secret sauce” of meditation, alerted traits, ethics, an overview of the science, the Dali Lama, psychopaths, meditation disappointments, the tech sector, smart phone addiction, what is meditation not good for, and scaling well-being
How to Have a Healthier Relationship With Your Phone
Mar 21, 2024
You know that urge you get to reach for your phone without realizing it? And then, before you know it, you’re an hour into a social media binge? If you want to peacefully coexist with technology, you need to get a handle on those impulses. Start by noticing when you have an urge to lift your phone or open social media on your browser window, said Richard J. Davidson, the founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The process of dying: From hospice care to meditating monks
Oct 29, 2023
Biocultural anthropologist and Tibetan medical doctor Tawni Tidwell is a member of the Center’s Thukdam Project and shares the significance of their research. Rather than viewing death as if it were an “on/off switch,” she says, “we should allow for the dying process to be … a slower transition.”
Washington University in St. Louis hosts first-ever Mindfulness Day
Oct 11, 2023
Washington University hosted its inaugural Mindfulness Day on Wednesday, Oct. 4. World-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson delivered the keynote presentation titled “Mindfulness and the Skills of Human Flourishing.” Dr. Amit Bernstein, clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Haifa, led “Finding Refuge, One Moment at a Time: Mindfulness-Based Trauma Recovery for Refugees.”
UW–Madison to launch novel research on suicide prevention and well-being
Oct 05, 2023
A multi-disciplinary team of University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers, led by the Center for Healthy Minds and the Wisconsin Institute for Sleep and Consciousness, is set to begin a highly novel, multi-phase study exploring whether a combination of targeted brain stimulation and meditation can improve well-being and help prevent deaths by suicide.
The Global Refugee Crisis: How Can Mindfulness & Compassion Training Help?
Oct 05, 2023
“The global human rights crisis has contributed to a global mental health crisis,” says Amit Bernstein, a professor of psychology and founder and director of the Observing Minds Lab at the University of Haifa in Israel. To help foster healing “one moment at a time,” Amit and his team of students and asylum seekers developed Mindfulness-Based Trauma Recovery for Refugees (MBTR-R), a trauma-sensitive mindfulness and compassion training intervention. The nine-week program has now been tested and adapted to meet the needs of diverse populations of asylum seekers and refugees from North Africa to Ukraine.
Cool Class: This Course is Improving Students’ Mental Health
Sep 18, 2023
The Art & Science of Human Flourishing is a collaborative course that helps students develop their own mindfulness toolkit to navigate their first year of college and beyond. And a recent study shows it works. Now, professors and researchers are hoping to find a way to share their findings beyond the classroom and in the community.
Becoming a Natural Leader Through Brain Adaptability
Aug 04, 2023
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It's a crucial skill for leaders, allowing them to communicate effectively, build relationships, heighten empathy, and inspire others. According to recent research by Richard Davidson, a professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the brain's plasticity allows us to develop new habits and behaviors that promote emotional intelligence, citing practices, such as mindfulness meditation and positive self-talk.
A Slight Change of Plans: “A Meditation Scientist Changes My Mind”
Jun 19, 2023
After a life-changing experience in India, Dr. Richard Davidson tried to convince his Harvard professors to let him study the science of meditation. No one took him seriously. Half a century later, Richie has measured the undeniable impact of meditation on our brains. In this podcast, Richie speaks with host Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist who served as a Senior Advisor in the Obama White House.
Hidden Brain Podcast: Seeking Serenity Part 2
Jun 08, 2023
In the second part of the series on the science of meditation, Richard Davidson continues his endeavor to unite seemingly opposite ways of understanding the mind. Plus, he shares the latest research on mindfulness and the unexpected ways it can benefit us.
Hidden Brain Podcast: Seeking Serenity Part 1
Jun 05, 2023
In graduate school, neuroscientist Richard Davidson learned to use scientific tools as a way to examine the brain. At the same time, he also started studying under master meditators — who deeply contemplated their internal and external lives. This week, two ways of understanding the mind.
University of the Air: "Education and Well-Being"
Jun 04, 2023
What are the keys to well-being, and what is the difference between well-being and happiness? Richard Davidson, professor of psychology and psychiatry at UW Madison will describe the four components to well-being derived from studies of the physiological effects of each. He’ll tell us how awareness of the moment at hand, connectedness, a sense of self, and a sense of direction in life can lead to a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
Well-being can be learned
May 06, 2023
Did you know Richard J. Davidson meditates "every single day" for about 45 minutes? Dig into this Q&A with Richie, Founder and Director of The Center for Healthy Minds, from Latvian arts & humanities publication Spiriterritory.
8 Books for Anyone Curious About Meditation
Apr 22, 2023
The New York Times asked experts — mindfulness teachers, spiritual leaders, and scientists — for their favorite beginner-friendly titles. Richard J. Davidson and Daniel Goleman's book “Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain and Body" is featured.
How to Have It All
Mar 01, 2023
The pursuit of happiness can feel like a fruitless endeavor. UW experts, including Honorary Fellow at Center for Healthy Minds Pelin Kesebir, say it doesn’t have to.
Caretakers of Wonder with the Madison Children's Museum
Jan 06, 2023
Our friends at Madison Children's Museum are leading the way on Caretakers of Wonder, a two-year national grant supporting museums to address climate change now and prepare children to meet a challenging future. The project is founded on groundbreaking work by Center for Healthy Minds' director Dr. Richard Davidson and other local leaders in science.
The Thukdam Project
Jul 28, 2021
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson and Postdoctoral Research Associate Tawni Tidwell discuss the Tukum research project, the first-ever scientific study of post-mortem meditation.
The Human-Earth Connection
May 21, 2021
Loka Director Dekila Chungylapa shares her views of nature, the climate crisis and her unique collaborations with faith leaders through the Loka Initiative on this podcast.
In pursuit of mindfulness
Apr 28, 2021
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson identifies four societal threats to that “flourishing” that can negatively impact our lives and thinking and four skills that can be developed to promote well-being and resilience.
The Zen of competition
Mar 19, 2021
Center collaborator Chad McGehee talks about using meditation and mindfulness to strengthen and condition the mind in athletes to improve performance.
Becoming a Buddhist Climate Scientist
Mar 10, 2021
Dekila Chungyalpa, director of the Loka Initiative, talks about her work with religious and indigenous leaders, scientists, and policymakers to design community-based environmental and climate programs. She also discusses how she relies on Buddhist Buddhist teachings on emptiness, impermanence, non-attachment and compassion to sustain her during times of eco-anxiety and distress.
Why meditation changes the brain
Jan 24, 2021
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson and Mingyur Rinpoche talk about the science of meditation and how improving the skills of awareness and compassion and improve well-being.
Well-being can be learned
Sep 18, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks about how our brains are constantly being shaped, and that well-being is a skill that each of us can develop.
How Do You Measure Mindfulness?
Aug 05, 2020
Mindfulness can reduce the risk of relapse in people with depression, help manage chronic pain and improve some measures of heart health. Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson shares insights from research that points to physical benefits of meditation
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Pre-schoolers Learn Kindness, Mindfulness
Jan 17, 2018
Pre-kindergarten students at Jackson Heights, Queens are being taught kindness. They are one of the first public schools in New York City to introduce the Center Healthy Minds' Kindness Curriculum, a mindfulness-based curriculum for pre-K students.
The Science of Meditation
Dec 27, 2017
In this episode of the Waking Up podcast, Sam Harris speaks with Daniel Goleman and Center Founder Richard Davidson about the current scientific understanding of meditation practice.
Medical Minds
Nov 30, 2017
Knowing that your doctor is under stress may not be comforting, but it might put you more at ease to know that mindfulness — the practice of training your brain to cultivate well-being — is now being taught in medical school.
Officer Zen-dly
Nov 29, 2017
In an interview with Dan Grupe, an assistant scientist at the Center for Healthy Minds, discusses the pilot study examining the effects of mindfulness-based training on a small group of Madison police officers
How Does Meditation Work?
Oct 28, 2017
While meditation is popularly presented as a panacea for the world’s ailments, Daniel Goleman and Center Founder Richard Davidson's new book "Altered Traits" is a highly approachable work based on solid clinical evidence.
Mindful Policing: The Future of Force
Jun 14, 2017
With police violence—and public scrutiny— on the rise, cities turn to mindfulness to help officers deal with the stress of the job. A study from the Center for Healthy Minds will gauge the impact of mindfulness practices on police officers.
Oscar the Optimist?
Jun 06, 2017
Sesame Street, one of the most beloved children’s television shows, is emphasizing kindness in its current season with the help of the Center for Healthy Minds, which studies the science of well-being and how it can be nurtured.
Pitt Study: Abuse in Childhood Can Lead to Misbehavior Later
Feb 28, 2017
Most children develop the ability early on to link good behavior with positive outcomes. Good grades, for example, can lead to parental praise and opportunities later in life. But children physically abused at home have that ability impaired, often leading to patterns of misbehavior. A study written by a newly appointed University of Pittsburgh assistant professor found that physical abuse during childhood can result in the child’s inability to associate good behavior to positive outcomes
Meeting with Neuroscientist Richard Davidson
Feb 13, 2017
Richard Davidson , the renowned American scientist specialized in analyzing the emotions recently visited Barcelona and has held a meeting with Nacho Master and Mària Vallès , CEO and Director General of the Fundació FC Barcelona , respectively
Stress Control
Sep 29, 2016
A pilot study from the Center will explore the impact of mindfulness-based practices on officers’ physical and mental well-being
Stress-Busting Smiles
Feb 25, 2013
The Wall Street Journal draws from the work of Richard Davidson from the Center for Healthy Minds to understand the relationship between frowning muscles and activity in the brain
La vida emocional del cerebro
Oct 22, 2012
En una entrevista con el Dr.Richard Davidson, conversamos acerca del primer enfoque neurocientifíco que se ocupa la afectividad, de los variados estilos emocionales que se dan entre las personas y del valor de la neuroplasticidad cerebral para afrontar los cambios
Mainstreaming Mindfulness
Jul 01, 2012
Richard Davidson's "The Emotional Life of Your Brain" is one of three books featured in this review about the movement to bring contemplative practice to society's mainstream
Finding the Zone
Jun 01, 2012
The Harvard Business Review states Richard Davidson's book is a great companion piece to Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit
Watch Now: Community-academic partnership for research with legal system-impacted individuals
Jun 18, 2025
What does it look like to build an effective, equitable, and authentic community-university partnership from the ground up? UW-Madison researchers, including CHM Research Assistant Professor Dan Grupe, and community partners from the Nehemiah Center in Madison, WI, will discuss the birth and evolution of their collaboration, and how rejecting “research as usual” has led to innovative projects with the potential to transform the mental health of system-impacted individuals.
