Do mindfulness-based interventions change brain function in people with substance dependence? A systematic review of the fMRI evidence

Abstract

Background Substance use disorders (SUDs) affect ~ 35 million people globally and are associated with strong cravings, stress, and brain alterations. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can mitigate the adverse psychosocial outcomes of SUDs, but the underlying neurobiology is unclear. Emerging findings were systematically synthesised from fMRI studies about MBI-associated changes in brain function in SUDs and their associations with mindfulness, drug quantity, and craving. Methods PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. Seven studies met inclusion criteria. Results Group by time effects indicated that MBIs in SUDs (6 tobacco and 1 opioid) were associated with changes in the function of brain pathways implicated in mindfulness and addiction (e.g., anterior cingulate cortex and striatum), which correlated with greater mindfulness, lower craving and drug quantity. Conclusions The evidence for fMRI-related changes with MBI in SUD is currently limited. More fMRI studies are required to identify how MBIs mitigate and facilitate recovery from aberrant brain functioning in SUDs.

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness in the Treatment of Methamphetamine Addiction Symptoms: Does Neuroplasticity Play a Role?

“…To measure the effects of mindfulness on cognitive and neuronal regulation of craving in addiction, neuroimaging methodologies such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can be employed. Studies have shown that mindfulness can modulate the neural circuitry associated with craving responses, indicating a potential for clinical significance [84]. Real-time fMRI provides a dynamic approach for evaluating the mindfulness-centered regulation of craving-related neural circuitry, offering direct measurements and feedback to guide mindfulness efforts.…”

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) for addiction control – review

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