Stress reduction correlates with structural changes in the amygdala
Larger decreases in perceived stress were associated with larger decreases in amygdaloid gray matter density.
Reductions in perceived stress correlated positively with decreases in right basolateral amygdala gray matter density. Whereas prior studies found gray matter modifications resulting from acquisition of abstract information, motor and language skills, this study demonstrates that neuroplastic changes are associated with improvements in a psychological state variable.