Psychophysiological and cognitive effects of Zen meditation in novice and experienced practitioners

Zen meditation has been widely recognized for its psychological and physiological benefits; however, the differential impacts of meditation experience on psychophysiological biomarkers remain underexplored. This study bridges a crucial gap by investigating how Zen meditation influences anxiety, sleep quality, and EEG-derived brain activity in novice and experienced meditators. Over three days, 24 participants (12 novices, 12 experienced) underwent nine guided meditation sessions. Pre- and post-intervention measures included generalized anxiety disorder scores, Sleep Epworth scores, and EEG-based alpha/beta and theta/alpha ratios, assessing emotional control, cognitive engagement, and relaxation. Findings revealed that experienced meditators exhibited distinct patterns of change in EEG-derived ratios relative to novices, reflecting experience-dependent oscillatory dynamics rather than validated indicators of meditative depth or psychological improvement. These results provide novel insights into meditation proficiency and its psychophysiological effects, offering a foundation for the development of wearable health technologies and personalized meditation-based interventions to optimize mental health strategies.