The Role of Mindfulness in Decreasing Impulsivity in Adult Heroin AddictsElizabeth NelsonUniversity of Palo AltoThe Role of Guided Meditation in Decreasing Impulsivity in Adult Heroin AddictsIt is believed that Impulse control and decision making, two executive functions, are central in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (Bechara, Damasio, Damasio, & Anderson, 1994). Damage to this area increases decision-making deficits (Bechara et. al., 1994). Research has shown that chronic heroin use negatively impacts an individual's ability to restrain impulses, leading to a lack of planning and decreased adaptive and social cognition (Pau, Lee, & Chan, 2001). Heroin is a powerful opiate that crosses the blood-brain barrier and produces powerful euphoria (Pau, Lee, & Chan, 2001). Impulse control is defined as an individual's tendency to act on wishes or impulses that arise (Murphy and Mackillop, 2012). Greater mindfulness has been shown to decrease the urge to use substances in addicted individuals (Murphy & Mackillop, 2012). Mindfulness focuses on emphasizing staying in the present moment, the natural impermanence of things in an individual's environment, and being aware of actions such as noticing what is experienced without judgment or reactive behavior (Murphy and Mackillop, 2012). Research on the implementation of mindfulness techniques and their ability to decrease impulsivity is needed to examine how adult heroin addicts respond cognitively, behaviorally, and physiologically to external stimuli.Impulsivity in adult heroin addictsResearch on The impact of chronic heroin use on executive function is rare (Pau, Lee, & Chan, 2001). Pau, Lee, and Chan (2001) studied the impact of heroin on participants' overall drug and alcohol histories. Some participants may miss one or more meditation groups. Participants who miss more than three groups will be eliminated from the analysis of the results. Participants may also omit information about their current drug and alcohol use. There is always a risk of drugs or alcohol entering a treatment facility; random screening tests should be used. Empirical research is needed on how adult heroin addicts can begin to improve their impulse control and decision-making. Increased impulsivity increases the chances that an individual can remain abstinent from heroin use. If the meditation technique implemented in this study significantly improves impulse control, the results should be replicated and the clinical application of meditation focused on impulse resistance should be applied in clinical settings..