- Introduction
Human behaviour is influenced by both present circumstances and previous experience. Repeated
experiences can shape patterns of perception, emotional response, attention, physiological arousal,
and behaviour. Within Pātañjali Yoga, Samskāras are described as residual impressions associated
with mental activity and recurring tendencies (Patañjali, Yoga Sūtra 1.50; 3.18).
Contemporary neuroscience examines comparable processes through learning, memory, conditioning,
and experience-dependent neuroplasticity. Experience can modify neural structure and function,
while emotionally significant events influence memory through interactions among the amygdala,
hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and stress-related systems (Hebb, 1949; Holtmaat & Svoboda, 2009;
Roozendaal et al., 2009).
The comparison raises a central interdisciplinary question: how do previous experiences contribute to
persistent behavioural patterns, and under what conditions can these patterns change? - Samskāra in Pātañjali Yoga
Within Pātañjali Yoga, Samskāra forms part of the framework through which citta and its recurring
tendencies are understood. Yoga Sūtra 1.50 describes a Samskāra produced by truth-bearing
knowledge that can inhibit other Samskāras, suggesting that impressions are not necessarily
immutable. Yoga Sūtra 3.18 further associates knowledge of Samskāras with knowledge of previous
births within the metaphysical framework of classical Yoga.
These references indicate that past experience is understood as having continuing influence on
mental processes. However, Samskāra should not be treated as a neural structure, brain region, or
The comparison raises a central interdisciplinary question: how do previous experiences contribute to persistent behavioural patterns, and under what conditions can these patterns change?
mental processes.
births within the metaphysical framework of classical Yoga.
and experience-dependent neuroplasticity.
The comparison raises a central interdisciplinary question: how do previous experiences contribute to persistent behavioural patterns, and under what conditions can these patterns change?
However, Samskāra should not be treated as a neural structure, brain region, or empirically established physiological mechanism. Its relevance to neuroscience is therefore conceptual rather than literal.
Yoga Sūtra 3.18 further associates knowledge of Samskāras with knowledge of previous births within the metaphysical framework of classical Yoga. These references indicate that past experience is understood as having continuing influence on mental processes.
Contemporary neuroscience examines comparable processes through learning, memory, conditioning, and experience-dependent neuroplasticity. Experience can modify neural structure and function.
Consequently, repeated experiences may contribute to learned expectations and automatic responses. For example, repeated criticism may increase sensitivity to evaluative situations, resulting in anxiety or defensiveness even when the immediate context is relatively safe.
The amygdala contributes to the modulation of emotional memory through interactions with the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, while stress can alter prefrontal functioning and affect emotional and behavioural regulation (Roozendaal et al., 2009; Arnsten, 2009).
From this perspective, awareness may constitute an initial condition for behavioural change, while repeated alternative responses provide opportunities for new learning.
These findings do not demonstrate that such practices directly eliminate Samskāras, but they suggest that attention, physiological regulation, and repeated practice may influence processes relevant to emotional regulation and learning.
A systematic review of slow breathing reported effects on measures including heart-rate variability and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (Zaccaro et al., 2018).
Breathing practices have also been studied in relation to autonomic regulation.
Rather, it demonstrates that both frameworks recognise the significance of experience and repetition in shaping subsequent patterns, while providing fundamentally different explanations of these processes.
These perspectives should remain conceptually distinct: Samskāra is not a neuroscientific construct, and neuroplasticity does not imply unlimited or effortless transformation.
The concept of Samskāra provides a philosophical account of the residual influence of experience, while psychology and neuroscience provide empirical models of learning, memory, emotional regulation, and behavioural adaptation.
Conditioning, emotional memory, stress physiology, attention, prediction, and neural plasticity contribute to the persistence and modification of behavioural responses.
Pātañjali Yoga is concerned with the transformation of consciousness and the cessation of mental disturbances, whereas neuroscience investigates biological mechanisms underlying learning, memory, emotion, and behaviour.
However, the two frameworks operate at different explanatory levels.
Similarly, yogic practices involving attention, regulation, and repeated practice can be examined alongside contemporary research on attention, emotion regulation, learning, and autonomic processes.
Samskāra may be compared conceptually with learned dispositions and recurring behavioural tendencies, while neuroplasticity describes biological mechanisms associated with experience-dependent change.
An interdisciplinary examination suggests that behavioural patterns are influenced by previous experiences but are not necessarily fixed.
while psychology and neuroscience provide empirical models of learning, memory, emotional
regulation, and behavioural adaptation.
contribute to the persistence and modification of behavioural responses.
prefrontal cortex, while stress can alter prefrontal functioning and affect emotional and behavioural
regulation (Roozendaal et al., 2009; Arnsten, 2009).
Mindfulness research has reported associations with changes in cortical structure, functional connectivity, and amygdala activity, although findings remain methodologically heterogeneous (Farias et al., 2024).
Hebb’s theoretical work provided an important foundation for understanding how repeated patterns of neural activity may contribute to lasting changes in neural organisation (Hebb, 1949). Emotional experiences can exert particularly strong effects on learning and memory.
- Emotional Learning and Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity refers to the capacity of the nervous system to undergo structural and functional
changes in response to experience, learning, and behaviour. Research has demonstrated
experience-dependent changes in synaptic organisation and neural connectivity (Holtmaat &
Svoboda, 2009; Kerr et al., 2011). Hebb’s theoretical work provided an important foundation for
understanding how repeated patterns of neural activity may contribute to lasting changes in neural
organisation (Hebb, 1949).
Emotional experiences can exert particularly strong effects on learning and memory. The amygdala
contributes to the modulation of emotional memory through interactions with the hippocampus and
prefrontal cortex, while stress can alter prefrontal functioning and affect emotional and behavioural
regulation (Roozendaal et al., 2009; Arnsten, 2009).
Consequently, repeated experiences may contribute to learned expectations and automatic responses.
For example, repeated criticism may increase sensitivity to evaluative situations, resulting in anxiety
or defensiveness even when the immediate context is relatively safe. Such patterns can be examined
through conditioning, emotional memory, prediction, and stress-related processes. - Memory Reconsolidation and Behavioural Change
Established emotional learning is not necessarily permanent. Research on memory reconsolidation
indicates that retrieval can temporarily render an established memory susceptible to modification
before it is stabilised again (Nader, 2010). When an existing expectation is activated and followed by
sufficiently different information or experience, new learning may modify the influence of the
original association.
For example, an individual who has repeatedly experienced rejection may develop an expectation
that disagreement will result in conflict or abandonment. Repeated experiences of expressing
disagreement without experiencing rejection can provide corrective information and support
alternative learning.
Behavioural change therefore does not necessarily require the elimination of an original memory. It
may instead involve the development of competing or corrective learning that reduces the dominance
of an established response. In this context, the term rewiring is best understood as a metaphor for
changes in learning, behaviour, neural processing, and response patterns rather than the literal
replacement of neural circuits. - Awareness, Regulation, and New Learning
Awareness is relevant to behavioural change because recognition of an automatic response creates an
opportunity for alternative responding. Mindfulness research has reported associations with changes
Understanding the Role of Samskara in Personal Growth
in cortical structure, functional connectivity, and amygdala activity, although findings remain
methodologically heterogeneous (Farias et al., 2024).
Breathing practices have also been studied in relation to autonomic regulation. A systematic review
of slow breathing reported effects on measures including heart-rate variability and respiratory sinus
arrhythmia (Zaccaro et al., 2018). These findings do not demonstrate that such practices directly
eliminate Samskāras, but they suggest that attention, physiological regulation, and repeated practice
may influence processes relevant to emotional regulation and learning.
From this perspective, awareness may constitute an initial condition for behavioural change, while
repeated alternative responses provide opportunities for new learning.
- Samskāra and Neuroplasticity: A Conceptual Relationship
The relationship between Samskāra and neuroplasticity should be understood as a conceptual
correspondence rather than an empirical equivalence. Samskāra may be compared conceptually with
learned dispositions and recurring behavioural tendencies, while neuroplasticity describes biological
mechanisms associated with experience-dependent change.
Similarly, yogic practices involving attention, regulation, and repeated practice can be examined
alongside contemporary research on attention, emotion regulation, learning, and autonomic
processes. However, the two frameworks operate at different explanatory levels. Pātañjali Yoga is
concerned with the transformation of consciousness and the cessation of mental disturbances,
whereas neuroscience investigates biological mechanisms underlying learning, memory, emotion,
and behaviour.
The comparison therefore should not be interpreted as evidence that classical Yoga anticipated
contemporary neuroscience. Rather, it demonstrates that both frameworks recognise the significance
of experience and repetition in shaping subsequent patterns, while providing fundamentally different
explanations of these processes. - Discussion and Conclusion
An interdisciplinary examination of Samskāra, emotional learning, and neuroplasticity suggests that
behavioural patterns are influenced by previous experience but are not necessarily fixed.
Conditioning, emotional memory, stress physiology, attention, prediction, and neural plasticity
contribute to the persistence and modification of behavioural responses.
The concept of Samskāra provides a philosophical account of the residual influence of experience,
while psychology and neuroscience provide empirical models of learning, memory, emotional
regulation, and behavioural adaptation. These perspectives should remain conceptually distinct:
Samskāra is not a neuroscientific construct, and neuroplasticity does not imply unlimited or effortless
transformation.
References Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Pathways of stress signaling that disrupt the structure and function of the prefrontal cortex. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10, 410–422. Arnsten, A. F. T., Raskind, M. A., Taylor, F. B., & Connor, D. F. (2015). The impact of stress on the prefrontal cortex: Applying fundamental research to effective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder. Neurobiology of Stress, 1, 89–99. Farias, M., et al. (2024). Systematic review of neurobiological changes resulting from mindfulness and meditation. Biomedicines, 12(11), 2613. Grossman, P., et al. (2026). A critical assessment of Polyvagal Theory: Insights from an international panel of experts, with commentary on Porges, S. W. (2025). Clinical Neuropsychiatry. Hebb, D. O. (1949). The Organization of Behavior: A Neuropsychological Theory. Wiley. Holtmaat, A., & Svoboda, K. (2009). Structural synaptic plasticity in the mammalian brain influenced by experience. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10, 647–658. Nader, K. (2010). Unbound memory traces. Trends in Neurosciences, 33(11), 559–563. Roozendaal, B., McEwen, B. S., & Chattarji, S. (2009). The relationship between stress, memory, and the amygdala. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10, 423–433. Zaccaro, A., Piarulli, A., Laurino, M., Garbella, E., Menicucci, D., Neri,
Classical Yoga offers a philosophical vocabulary for understanding persistent tendencies and their transformation, while contemporary neuroscience provides empirical mechanisms through which experience, learning, and behavioural change can be investigated. These perspectives should remain conceptually distinct: Samskāra is not a neuroscientific construct, and neuroplasticity does not imply unlimited or effortless transformation.
Awareness is relevant to behavioural change because recognition of an automatic response creates an opportunity for alternative responding. Mindfulness research has reported associations with changes in cortical structure, functional connectivity, and amygdala activity, although findings remain methodologically heterogeneous (Farias et al., 2024).
These findings do not demonstrate that such practices directly eliminate Samskāras, but they suggest that attention, physiological regulation, and repeated practice may influence processes relevant to emotional regulation and learning.
Understanding the Role of Samskara in Personal Growth
References
Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Stress signalling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10, 410–422.
Arnsten, A. F. T., Raskind, M. A., Taylor, F. B., & Connor, D. F. (2015). The effects of stress exposure on prefrontal cortex: Translating basic research into successful treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder. Neurobiology of Stress, 1, 89–99.
Farias, M., et al. (2024). Neurobiological changes induced by mindfulness and meditation: A systematic review. Biomedicines, 12(11), 2613.
Grossman, P., et al. (2026). Why the Polyvagal Theory is untenable: An international expert evaluation of Polyvagal Theory and commentary upon Porges, S. W. (2025). Clinical Neuropsychiatry.
Hebb, D. O. (1949). The Organization of Behavior: A Neuropsychological Theory. Wiley.
Holtmaat, A., & Svoboda, K. (2009). Experience-dependent structural synaptic plasticity in the mammalian brain. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10, 647–658.
Nader, K. (2010). Memory traces unbound. Trends in Neurosciences, 33(11), 559–563.
Roozendaal, B., McEwen, B. S., & Chattarji, S. (2009). Stress, memory and the amygdala. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10, 423–433.
Zaccaro, A., Piarulli, A., Laurino, M., Garbella, E., Menicucci, D., Neri, B., & Gemignani, A. (2018). How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psychophysiological correlates of slow breathing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12, 353.
An interdisciplinary examination of Samskāra, emotional learning, and neuroplasticity suggests that behavioural patterns are influenced by previous experience but are not necessarily fixed.
Awareness may constitute an initial condition for behavioural change, while repeated alternative responses provide opportunities for new learning.
Samskāra and Emotional Learning: Insights into Neuroplasticity Mechanisms Today
At what age is neuroplasticity strongest?
Neuroplasticity is strongest in early childhood, typically peaking around the ages of 2 to 3 years old.
How to drastically increase neuroplasticity?
Engage in regular physical exercise, particularly aerobic activities.
Practice mindfulness meditation and mindfulness-based practices.
Learn a new skill or hobby, such as playing a musical instrument or speaking a new language.
Challenge your brain with puzzles and games that require strategic thinking.
Ensure adequate sleep and maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
Maintain a healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins.
Stay socially active and build strong, supportive relationships.
Set aside time for neurobic exercises that stimulate different senses.
Reduce stress through relaxation techniques and adequate downtime.
Consider supplements like omega-3s, curcumin, or other nootropics after consulting with a healthcare provider.
How does neuroplasticity contribute to trauma recovery?
Neuroplasticity contributes to trauma recovery by allowing the brain to reorganize and form new neural connections in response to trauma. This adaptability facilitates the processing of traumatic memories, the development of coping strategies, and the integration of emotional experiences, ultimately supporting healing and resilience.