Mind over matter

Humans have tried to harness the power of mindfulness meditation to reduce pain for centuries, but it’s only now that neuroscientists have finally fathomed exactly how the practice can minimise physical discomfort.

Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine discovered that mindfulness meditation interrupts the communication between brain areas involved in pain sensation and those that produce the sense of self. This means the individual does not feel as much ownership over the sensations, and their suffering is then reduced.

Brighton is Britain’s top city for pre-loved shopping, according to a study by Barratt Homes, with the highest number of charity shops, auction houses and secondhand furniture stores.