Dr Megha Pundir · Academic profile

From yogic practice
to scientific enquiry.

Research on meditation, attention and wellbeing, shared through publications and conference presentations in India and internationally.

NIMHANS internshipConference presentationsPublications

Research internship · March–June 2023

Research experience
at NIMHANS.

National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences

Centre for Consciousness Studies
Department of Neurophysiology

Exploring mind, brain and meditation

During her research internship at NIMHANS, Dr Megha Pundir worked on EEG acquisition and preprocessing in clinical research settings, analysed data using MATLAB and Python, and assisted with psychophysiological assessments and human experiments.

EEG acquisition & preprocessingMATLAB & Python analysisPsychophysiological assessmentsHuman experimental research

This experience informs her approach to yoga and meditation research, connecting questions about practice with methods for studying brain activity and human responses.

Sharing research

Conversations across borders.

Presentations at the Society for Neuroscience meeting in the USA, the International AYUSH Conference in Dubai, and conferences in India.

International · USA

15–19 November 2025

Neuroscience 2025

Society for Neuroscience (SfN) · San Diego, USA

Research presentation
Electrophysiological Correlates of Nadamay Meditation Compared to Mind Wandering.

DBT International Travel Grant recipient.

Official meeting details

International · UAE

15–17 February 2026

3rd International AYUSH Conference & Exhibition

Dubai, UAE

Research presentation
Sound-Based Meditation Enhances Cognitive Neural Efficiency and Interoceptive Awareness: A Randomized Controlled EEG Study.

CSIR International Travel Grant recipient.

Conference in India

28 August–1 September 2025

19th SIR Conference and Meditation Retreat

SpARC

Research presentation
Effect of Isometric Exercises and Trataka Training on Physical and Psychological Variables of Cricket Players.

Conference in India

14–16 December 2023

Mind, Brain and Consciousness Conference

IIT Mandi, India

Research presentation
Effect of Shirshasana on Different Band Power of EEG: An Exploratory Study.

International conference · India

12–13 September 2022

International Conference on Yoga, Yagya and Ayurveda

U.P. & DSVV

Research presentation
Short-term effects of meditation on psychophysiological variables: A comprehensive review of immediate studies.

National conference · India

1–2 July 2022

National Conference on Spiritualism: A Potential Key for Stress Management

KIIT, Bhubaneswar

Research presentation
Yoga for Holistic Health.

National conference · India

29–30 July 2022

National Conference on Therapeutic Applications of Yoga and Naturopathy

KIIT, Bhubaneswar

Research presentation
Pranayama: Ancient Science of Breath.

Research & scholarship

Publications

Publications are listed by year, with author names as cited. The From Gut to Mind entry includes updated OnlineFirst publication details from the journal.

2026202520242023

2026 7 entries

  1. Megha KM, Mishra A, Sharma R, Pal P, Yadav VS, Roja AR, Sasidharan A, Kumar G, Patra S. Sound-based Meditation Alters Brain Activity: EEG Evidence for Power Reduction and Enhanced Conscious Alertness. Annals of Neurosciences. 2026. SAGE Publications.
  2. Megha, K., Roj, A. R., & Patra, S. (2026). Development and validation of Nadamay meditation: A sound-based protocol for psychosocial well-being. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 17(4), 101375.
  3. Megha, Km., Tripathi, R., Maurya, B. N., & Yadav, V. S. (2026). Effects of Yoga and Om Meditation on Stress and Mindfulness Among University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Social Medicine, 19(3), 402-409.
  4. Roj AR, Siddh S, Sharma H, Foujdar D, Mishra E, Kumar S, Vartika KM, Megha Km, Mishra G, Saini S. Breath Restored: Yoga-Based Training Lowers Estimated Lung Age among individuals with Opium Dependence in a Residential Pre-Post Study. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2026;17:1759745.
  5. Das M, Thajuddin N, Muralitharan G, Pundeer M, Ponnusamy R, Mishra A, Nayak P. From Gut to Mind: Impact of Probiotics on Depression, Anxiety, Mood, Gut Microbiota, Sleep and Stress—A Systematic Review of RCTs. Annals of Neurosciences. Published online September 1, 2026 (OnlineFirst). Read the article
  6. Das M, Megha Km, Acharya K, Mishra A, Nayak P, Patra SK. Efficacy of Mind-Body Interventions on Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults via Hormonal Modulation: A Narrative Review. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus. 2026;100276. Elsevier.
  7. Das M, Megha Km, Ponnusamy R, Patra S. Effect of Plant Extract Used in Ayurveda and Siddha Medicine on Asthmatics and Their Role in Maintaining Gut Microbiota Diversity — A Narrative Review. International Journal of Bioinformatics and Intelligent Computing. 2026;5(1):30-46.

2025 6 entries

  1. Roj AR, Sharma H, Megha Km, Rai R, Patra S. Yogic Bellows, Neural Sparks: Unravelling the Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Kapalbhati- A Systematic Review. Annals of Neurosciences. 2025. SAGE Publications.
  2. Roj AR, Sharma H, Pal P, Megha Km, Patra S. Trataka and cognition: A systematic review with a proposed neurophysiological mechanism. Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice. 2025;16(4):493-500.
  3. Megha KM, Roj AR, Yadav VS, Kaushal C, Pal P, Das M, Patra S. Meditation and De-Addiction: A Neurobiological Perspective. International Journal of Endovascular Treatment and Innovative Techniques. 2025;6(2):76-85.
  4. Tripathi R, Maurya BN, Megha KM, Yadav VS. The combined impact of yoga and dietary changes on mental health: A Holistic Approach to Well-Being. Indian Journal of YOGA Exercise & Sport Science and Physical Education. 2025:32-38.
  5. Das M, Thajuddin N, Patra SK, Megha KM. A new perspective on the gut microbial make up from alternative and complementary medicine used in India on obesity and obesity induced asthma. Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine. 2025;14(4):453-466.
  6. Megha Km, Yadav VS, Roj AR, Kumar S, Sharma R. Yoga Therapy: A Holistic Approach to Enhancing Physical, Psychological, and Social Health. Indian Journal of YOGA Exercise & Sport Science and Physical Education. 2025:18-30.

2024 8 entries

  1. Das M, Thajuddin N, Patra S, Megha Km. Mind-body techniques on stress-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis in Asthmatics: A narrative review. Brain Behavior and Immunity Integrative. 2024;5:100040. Elsevier.
  2. Das M, Thajuddin N, Muralitharan G, Patra S, Megha Km. Effect of Phyto Constitutes of Ayurveda and Siddha Herbs on SARS-CoV-2/CoVID-19 Management by Modulating the Human Gut Microbiome. Journal of Natural Remedies. 2024.
  3. Das M, Thajuddin N, Patra S, Megha Km. Ancient Indian Diet — A Balanced Diet for the Healthy Diversity of Gut Microbiota and Management of Asthma. Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal. 2024;12(1):349-373.
  4. Yadav VS, Megha Km, Maurya BN, Tripathi V , Kumar M, Maurya A. Development, Validation, and Feasibility of Integrated Yoga Module on Anidra (Insomnia). Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical Journal. 2024;4(2):29-35. Medknow.
  5. Yadav VS, Sharma R, Maurya BN, Tripathi V , Megha Km, Yadav S, Kumar R, Maurya A, Kumar M. Effect of Nadi Shodhan Pranayam On Memory Functioning Among College Students: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. African Journal of Biomedical Research. 2024.
  6. Das M, Megha Km, Patra S. Lacto Vegetarianism, Probiotics, and Prevention of Hypertension — A Short Review. International Journal of Diabetes Management. 2024;3(2):40-51.
  7. Roj AR, Megha Km, Patra S. Bite by Bite: Unveiling the Impact of Chewing Sticks on Endovascular Health and Neurovascular Coupling — A Narrative Review. International Journal of Endovascular Treatment and Innovative Techniques. 2024;5(2):66-74.
  8. Megha Km, Das M, Yadav VS, Sanjib P. Effectiveness of Yoga-Based Interventions on Vascular Health: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Endovascular Treatment and Innovative Techniques. 2024;5(2):57-65.

2023 4 entries

  1. Das M, Megha Km, Nayak P, Patra S, Thajuddin N. Yogic diet on gut microbial diversity in asthma. Yoga Mimamsa. 2023;55(1):58-66. Medknow.
  2. Das M, Thajuddin N, Megha Km, Patra S. Traditional Fermented Food of India: Sources of Probiotic Bacteria May Maintain Diversity of Gut Microbiota and Manage The Symptoms of Asthma. National Journal of Community Medicine. 2023.
  3. Das M, Megha Km, Patra S. Effectiveness of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) on Varicose Vein Complications. International Journal of Endovascular Treatment and Innovative Techniques. 2023;4(1).
  4. Das M, Megha Km, Sanjib P. Yoga can reduce the Symptoms of Depression and Depression associated Complications in Women. Acta Scientific Women's Health. 2023;5(12):23-28.

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