“ If the whole world actually meditated, the world that we live in would be a kinder, better place.” ~Ariel Garten
Meditation is a practice we all know we should be doing, but aren’t. Often it’s not for lack of trying – meditation can be hard, and in a world where we’re taught to be busy at all times, it can feel like a waste of time. But meditation is the key to unburdening yourself from stress, anxiety, trauma and self-doubt. Luckily, there’s a way to make it easier.
Ariel Garten is a neuroscientist and co-founder of Muse, a healthtech startup that has created a brain-sensing EEG headband that is helping over half a million people around the world improve their meditation practises. By measuring your brainwaves while you meditate, Muse gives you real-time biofeedback on brain activity, heart rate, and body movements. Ariel and Muse have been featured in the likes of Forbes, Fortune, Men’s Health, Wired and more.
In this episode, Ariel and Tim discuss what exactly is going on inside the brain while we meditate – and the science behind why it’s so effective at improving sleep and reducing stress. Ariel explores powerful moments where her meditation practice had a real impact on her life, helping her to unplug from addictions and stop sweating the small stuff. And she explores various meditation techniques and practices – and how you can incorporate them into your life.
Inspired by today’s episode? Dive deeper this April at the Health Optimisation Summit in Austin, TX. Join the tribe for a weekend of ancestral health, paleo wisdom, and cutting-edge health optimisation. Get your tickets now at hosummit.com/austin
💡 Highlights
0:00 Intro
1:00 How Ariel’s passion for meditation began
9:39 What’s going on inside the brain during meditation?
11:39 Decreasing stress and cortisol
18:39 How meditation improves attention and focus
22:34 Your brain waves on meditation
29:12 Unplugging from addiction
37:06 Why you should measure your brain waves
40:58 The impact of diet on your brain
43:22 Can meditation help us deal with trauma?
48:02 The different types of meditation
52:02 How meditation influences pain
53:51 You don’t need an “empty” mind
55:00 How Muse is used by pro athletes
56:26 Advancements in AI and neurotechnology
🔎 Visit: / ariels_musings
A huge thank you to Muse for sponsoring this episode!
Getting results from meditation can be slow – Your meditation app might tell you to focus, but it has no idea what’s actually happening in your brain or with your neurotransmitters. Muse neurofeedback shortcuts this. By using advanced EEG sensors to track your brain activity, heart rate and movement in real-time, it’s actually tracking how your body and mind are responding to meditation. When your mind is calm, you hear soothing nature sounds. When it wanders, the sounds shift – it basically sees what’s going on inside your brain in real time. For me, this has helped me create a calm, focused mediation practice in days rather than months. If you want to take your meditation practice to the next level and train your brain in real time visit https://choosemuse.com/TIMBIOHACKER for 15% off your Muse headband.
Like to watch your podcasts? Check out Tim Gray’s YouTube channel for ALL the Health Optimisation Podcast episodes.
This is the Health Optimisation Podcast with your host, Tim Gray, the UK’s Leading Biohacker. This podcast brings you the latest in health optimisation, featuring experts and breakthroughs in nature, biohacking, technology, and longevity research. Join us to discover actionable advice for living longer and healthier.
Connect with All Things Tim Gray
- Instagram: instagram.com/timbiohacker/
- Website: healthoptimisation.com/
- YouTube: youtube.com/@timbiohacker
- Facebook: facebook.com/TimBiohacker
The Health Optimisation Podcast is an OG Podcasts production.